Continuing Education

In addition to our unique shelter medicine course work, the Shelter Medicine Program offers and participates in a variety of educational learning opportunities for veterinarians, veterinary students, and shelter practitioners and staff. Professional continuing education credit is available for RACE, CAWA, and NACA for most courses.

In-person and virtual conference event

Feline Health Symposium

EveryCat Health Foundation, in collaboration with the Shelter Medicine Program, present “Health Breakthroughs for Every Cat: FIP and Beyond”.

Feline Health Symposium "Health Breakthroughs for Every Cat: FIP and Beyond"

Online Foundational and In-shelter Advanced course

Shelter Consultation Mentorship

This Shelter Consultation Mentorship Program covers foundational and advanced learning in the shelter consultation process for veterinarians and shelter leaders seeking to expand their professional skills in shelter consultation.

mentorship students standing outside Humane Society Naples

online course

Big Dog Master Class

With shelter dog populations returning to pre-pandemic levels, outcomes slowing, transport destinations drying up, and historic levels of staffing turnover, shelters are struggling with medium and large dogs. The Big Dog Master Class is available on-demand at Maddie’s® University to help staff at all levels better manage big dog populations, build proven programs, and implement transparent, effective policies.

Decorative Big Dog image

Supporting Team Wellbeing

Compassion in Balance (CiB) program

Helping the helpers to feel more connected, calm, courageous, and confident in their role as caregivers to people, pets, and our planet.

Shelter Staff comforting dogs in a run

Online Course

Fear Free Shelters

This program will empower you to apply key strategies and techniques designed to reduce the negative emotional states that are commonly experienced by shelter and rescue animals—including fear, anxiety, stress (FAS), and frustration—and increase their enrichment opportunities. This program is suitable for every individual involved in the care and oversight of shelter and rescue animals.

cat with head in portal

Online Course

Graduate Studies in Shelter Medicine

The Shelter Medicine Program is pleased to offer an online Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Sciences with a Concentration in Shelter Medicine, an online graduate certificate in shelter medicine, and continuing education courses.

Student providing treatment to kitten from locan animal shelter

Online Course 10/17/2022–12/18/2022

Compassion Fatigue Strategies

This is a unique, self-paced, online class designed to support people who work with animals. In this course, you will establish a foundation of knowledge to help you better understand and transform your experience with compassion fatigue.

Woman Hugging Dog Silhouette

Online Course

Maddie’s® University

Maddie’s® University is an online learning management system that comprises a full catalog of classes to help you learn the A to Z’s of all things animal welfare.

Maddie