The University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program is pleased to share that Dr. Cynda Crawford has received the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Meritorious Service Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made sustained and meaningful contributions to the field of shelter medicine. She was nominated by Dr. Elizabeth Berliner and Dr. Emily McCobb.
Dr. Crawford serves as the Fredrica Saltzman Endowed Professorship Chair in Shelter Medicine at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. Her career has centered on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in shelter animals, with a particular focus on respiratory infections in dogs and cats. She discovered the canine influenza virus and played a key role in the development of the first canine influenza vaccine, helping to shape disease management protocols that are widely used in shelters today.
Beyond her research, Dr. Crawford has contributed significantly to shelter medicine through mentorship, training, and collaborative consultation. As Drs. Berliner and McCobb wrote in the nomination letter, “Her research and scholarly work in infectious disease and outbreak management translates well to problem-solving action steps… Cynda helps us navigate challenging situations and conversations without losing sight of the individual lives at stake.”
At UF, Dr. Crawford has helped build a shelter medicine program that combines academic rigor with practical application. She has worked closely with veterinary students, residents, and interns, many of whom have gone on to lead shelter programs and influence the field at large.
“Cynda lives her life in service to the field,” her nominators noted. “She literally picks up the phone or answers emails at all hours, ready and willing to talk shelter medicine and infectious disease with anyone. If there is a shelter or a shelter trainee in need, she is ready to dive in and help.”
We join the ASV in recognizing Dr. Crawford for her commitment to advancing shelter medicine and supporting the professionals who put it into practice every day.