PROJECT

SOS/Cornell Student Teaching Program

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Brian G. Collins, DVM, DABVP; Clinical Sciences

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Leni K. Kaplan, DVM, MS; Clinical Sciences

ABSTRACT

Providing practical, experiential learning opportunities for students is a primary objective of the Community Practice Service (CPS) at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. To help accomplish this goal Cornell began a collaborative relationship in June of 2009 with Shelter Outreach Services (SOS), a non-profit organization that provides low cost surgical sterilization services to cats and dogs in our region. By utilizing a system that has already been established we have been able to provide a popular and effective learning experience for students during their clinical rotations. The program’s objectives are: to enhance the hands-on clinical and surgical experiences of Cornell veterinary students; to enhance the student experience in the area of Shelter Medicine; to better prepare students for private practice and shelter medicine; and to provide much needed assistance to area shelters and the animals in their care. This program has proven itself to be sustainable in terms of funding and it has also been a success as evidenced by the numbers of sterilization surgeries that the students have performed, the observed improvement in skills, and the positive testimonials from DVMs, veterinary students, and shelter personnel.