HOUSTON SPCA, TEXAS A&M LAUNCH NATION’S LARGEST ANIMAL WELFARE-SHELTER MEDICINE PROGRAM
HOUSTON, TX – The Houston SPCA and the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have partnered to create a new program which exposes veterinary students to animal cruelty, neglect and trauma cases involving dogs, cats and other companion animals, horses and donkeys, farm animals, exotic animals and native wildlife. The partnership is considered the largest between an animal shelter and a veterinary school in the United States to go beyond the scope of the typical treatment and care of cats and dogs.
Fourth-year students from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences will rotate through a required two-week program at the Houston SPCA where they will work alongside experts in cases of animal cruelty, neglect and trauma. The goal of the program, according to Houston SPCA President Patricia Mercer, is to ensure future veterinarians – many of whom will practice in Texas – become more knowledgeable about the full spectrum of shelter medicine and animal welfare including rescue and forensics investigations for all species.
