We caught up with Kristi Mack, HR Director to find out how HSSV is training the next generation of veterinary professionals to help close the gap on a nationwide shortage, all while breaking down barriers to build a more equitable and inclusive shelter medicine industry.
How would you describe HSSV’s strategic priority of ‘Changing the Game’ to someone who’s never heard of it before?
‘Changing the Game’ is about shaping the future of animal sheltering to better care for homeless and at-risk animals. How we do this comes through in a variety of strategies, and one involves creating opportunities for potential veterinary professionals of all levels to enter and work in shelter medicine. The need for more staff trained in shelter medicine has grown tremendously, but the number of qualified individuals in the field has declined.
By increasing the ‘pipeline of talent’ in animal sheltering and empowering the sheltering community, we will elevate our level of care for all shelter animals. HSSV has jumped into action, breaking down barriers through workforce development programs that help address the national shortage of animal welfare employees. This includes our LEAP Internship program, Cristo Rey High School Work Study program, veterinary student externships, and Registered Veterinary Technician student internships. By creating positive ripple effects from programs like these, HSSV aims to address the need for more staff in the talent pipeline and advance shelter welfare nationally.
What are some of our concrete goals with these programs?
One of our goals is to lower barriers of entry into the shelter medicine industry by broadening candidate sources. To truly be ‘Changing the Game’, we need to branch out to avenues where people don’t typically have access to this type of education. We do this by strategically identifying sources and increasing the visibility of opportunities where they otherwise may not be seen.
Our goal with the student programs is to provide interns with tangible work experience, exposure to a shelter work environment, and create enthusiasm to pursue shelter medicine as a career. We consider students with a commitment to training, and invest in staff through learning paths, and providing the space and resources needed for scaling up skillsets. By fostering a culture of learning with access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources, we encourage our staff and interns to pursue what excites them, so they can connect to their work in a way that drives impact.
HSSV’s 2024 LEAP interns, Destiny and Xavier
‘Changing the Game’ isn’t limited to these programs; the goal is ultimately about sharing knowledge and empowering other shelters to save more lives. We are always looking for opportunities to ‘pay it forward’ and share our learnings through working groups and national conferences.
What are some of the LEAP Internship program’s major successes, and how do we plan to continue growth in this area?
Our LEAP Internship program (Learn, Engage, And Prepare) is in its second year with a 12-week animal shelter-focused training program for high school graduates. If someone is interested in veterinary medicine or animal welfare, this gives interns the opportunity to:
- Learn from highly skilled staff in our multi-doctor state-of-the-art medical center
- Make a significant impact in the community and animal welfare
- Experience how we work to care for shelter and community animals
- Gain familiarity with in-house diagnostics, digital radiography, critical care, internal medicine, surgery, and community medicine
- Build new skills with training in shelter medicine and animal welfare fundamentals
- Shadow and work hands-on in veterinary services and shelter operations
- Work for an organization that thrives on innovation and expanding mission impact
LEAP intern Xavier monitors a post-operative patient in HSSV’s medical center
The LEAP program has been focused on the summer months and in the future may extend to other times of year to allow more individuals to benefit. HSSV currently partners with Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) for a pipeline of students. In the future, we intend to extend access to the program to a variety of sources.
Last year, one of the interns was hired as a full-time Veterinary Assistant, demonstrating the value this program can have on building a pipeline for shelter medicine careers as well as the roots it can plant for a young student’s future career.
LEAP intern Destiny receives guidance from Kyra, a former LEAP intern who is now a full-time Veterinary Assistant at HSSV
How is the Cristo Rey Work Study program ‘Changing the Game’?
HSSV and Cristo Rey have partnered over the past three years through a Work Study program which enables students to gain hands on experience alongside their studies. In addition to being paired with a mentor in a department that matches their interests, each student also works with our Animal Care and Enrichment team on a weekly basis, providing insight into different areas and aspects of shelter care.
Cristo Rey intern Ruth takes notes at an Adoptions and Marketing strategy meeting
Cristo Rey interns grow tremendously at HSSV and confidently take on work, share ideas, and contribute to the impactful work we do. To date, our Cristo Rey interns have worked in Community Programs, Animal Care and Enrichment, Community Services, and Marketing providing support for TNR programs, mobile clinics, animal intake, industry research, and more. In the future, we plan to increase our number of interns and broaden reach to other departments.
Just last week our two Cristo Rey interns returned to HSSV for another year. Welcome back, Jacky and Ruth!
You can be a part of ‘Changing the Game’ to better care for homeless and at-risk animals.
‘Changing the Game’ programs are made possible by:
- Severns Family Foundation
- Simon-Strauss Foundation
- Travers Family Foundation