Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Developing an Access to Care presentation

    Posted 05-27-2025 10:15 AM

    Hello!  

    I'm going through the shelter medicine masters program at UF and plan to graduate in the Fall.  Here is a presentation I'm working on in order to graduate.  Tell me what you think?

    Capstone Proposal

    Working Title:

    The geographical range of a mobile high volume spay/neuter clinic and its influence in a rural region 

    Description:

    This capstone project will outline the geographical range of a mobile high volume spay/neuter clinic and how the demographics, access to veterinary care and presence of animal shelters in a region may influence this range.

    It will begin by describing the basic structure of the mobile clinic. It will then describe the region by geography and demographics broken down by county.  I will also discuss how many veterinarians and animal shelter facilities exist in each county. I will follow this by presenting data gathered from the clinic followed by an analysis of its impact.  

    I will show how far people drive to get to each clinic and how this is or is not influenced by the demographics, access to veterinary care, and number of animal shelter in each county.  I will also demonstrate how mobile clinics can provide access to veterinary care to shelters and rescue organizations within the clinic's range. 

    Background and rationale:

    This presentation is important because it gives others the ability to see the impact a mobile clinic can have on a region.  It also brings attention to having a mobile clinic as an option to reach more communities and provide services to shelters and rescues.  I choose this project because I have started and managed my clinic for the past 12 years . It is something I am extremely passionate about wish to share with others.  

    Objectives of the project:

    Display data that shows the geographical range of a mobile spay neuter clinic using metrics from a clinic over several months and visuals.  

    Demonstrate how demographics of a county influence the geographical range of a mobile spay/neuter clinic

    Demonstrate how lack of animal sheltering facilities and access to veterinary care influences the geographical range of a mobile spay/neuter clinic

    Showcase how a mobile spay/neuter clinic can provide access to veterinary care to shelters and rescues

    Methods:

    Through my experiences with my own clinic (Dehart Vet Services) I will provide a presentation that will achieve my objectives.   I will also provide pictures and diagrams to explain concepts.  I will gather data from the clinics check in sheets and relevant literature to present this discussion.

    Project Result:

    A presentation and e portfolio will outline the above listed content to obtain the objectives.  


    #AccesstoCare

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    Sharon Marsh
    Veterinarian
    Dehart Vet Foundation
    TX
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  • 2.  RE: Developing an Access to Care presentation

    Posted 05-28-2025 10:48 AM

    Hi Sharon -

    This sounds great! Rural access to care is growing focus area due to the tremendous need and lack of resources. I look forward to your presentation once it's available. 

    Romy



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    Romy Harness
    Director of Access to Care Initiatives
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
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  • 3.  RE: Developing an Access to Care presentation

    Posted 05-31-2025 07:42 PM

    Hi Sharon-

    Your proposal sounds like a great (and much needed) capstone project!

     I am a board member of a rural humane society in Iowa, serving ~3200 sq. miles. Of the options we considered over the past 3 years, partnering with a mobile clinic was the best option. Unfortunately, the only mobile clinic within reasonable distance to us was too busy to take on additional clients.

    I don't know if you are considering adding  alternative options for shelters without access to a mobile clinic as a part of your conclusion section/additional areas to research. If you are, we chose to remodel our current Vet Room and surrounding spaces to create a Medical Suite capable of serving in-custody animals in addition to community and family dogs and cats. With this plus transport assistance, we can provide wellness services to all parts of our service area.  (The travel distances  at the most distant points of our service area are about 2 hours - one way.)

    I will definitely watch for your presentation and am excited to learn what your data shows.

    Thank you- Bobbi

    --
    Bobbi Underbakke (she/her)
    Treasurer, Board of Directors
    Humane Society of Northeast Iowa
    2345 Millennium Road
    Decorah, Iowa 52101
    (563)277-0012


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    Bobbi Underbakke
    Board Director
    Humane Society of Northeast Iowa
    IA
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