In this episode, Stacy interviews Dr. Emily McCobb, director of the Tufts Shelter Medicine Program and clinical associate professor of anesthesiology at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Having volunteered at TNR clinics as a veterinary student herself, Dr. McCobb teaches shelter medicine as an emerging specialty.

She explains how her own experience working in shelters showed her that TNR clinics were the perfect way to provide hands-on experience to veterinary students, while also helping underserved animal populations, such as community cats.

As a clinical associate professor at the Cummings School, she supports an on-campus spay-neuter clinic whose mission is to serve "the community and underserved animals while helping veterinary students learn clinical skills needed to become excellent vets." Staffed by students, the clinic acts as a site for hands-on learning, involving students in the entire process of TNR and endowing graduating students with the experience of multiple surgeries. By working with shelter animals Dr. McCobb believes students can see the "direct animal impact every day," and hopes that even graduates going into private practice will learn the benefits of TNR and continue to volunteer in their communities."

For more information about the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and its Tufts at Tech program, please visit tufts.edu/vet. *Please note that the audio quality of this interview is questionable due to technical difficulties. However, Dr. McCobb was so insightful we wanted you to have the opportunity to hear her interview.