Senior Dog CE for
Shelter Veterinarians
& Support Staff
The Senior Dog Veterinary Society is on a mission to help Veterinarians and Veterinary Professionals advance the care and experience of their older canine patients -- including those working in shelter medicine.
Senior Dogs in Shelters
Senior and Geriatric dogs, who are found as strays or are relinquished to shelters, are up against a lot. The adoption rate for seniors is significantly lower compared to younger dogs. This leads to a longer stay in the shelter environment, which causes physical and emotional stress and discomfort. Ultimately, leading to higher risk of poor outcomes in shelters.​
This overlooked population in shelters needs all the help they can get..
The True Underdogs
You know better than anyone what senior dogs who end up in shelters are up against -- often in need of medical care for multiple issues with little, if any, prior veterinary care.
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Meanwhile, Veterinarians and Technicians, who work in shelters, have one of THE MOST CHALLENGING JOBS -- to do right by these patients with big needs and often with limited resources available. ​
Our Goal:
Our goal is to not only to help lead the future of senior dog-focused medicine, but to also support all of you -- the amazing veterinarians and technicians and professionals that work tirelessly to care for aging dogs, who are so often overlooked.
Working behind the scenes to provide veterinary care for with these animals in a shelter environment, we want to help you do even more with a deeper knowledge of the unique needs that Senior Dogs face. And support staff can be better prepared for conversations with fosters and potential adopters as well.​
We think the future is bright for our senior and geriatric dogs, and we're so glad you're here. Feel free to reach out anytime at info@seniordogvets.com​​
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Dr. Lauren, Dr. Monica and Dr. Lisa
Founding Veterinarians
Senior Dog Certification
This Program is for you if...
You want to understand one of the most overlooked demographics of canine on a deeper level.
You want to expand your knowledge about best practices for care of this patient population.
You want to learn new ideas for enhancing comfort and handling for older dogs who are more fragile.
You want to learn how to advocate for and implement Senior Dog Care Programs in Shelters.
You want to learn the latest developments in the study of aging in dogs.
You want to feel more confident and ready to address the unique needs of senior dogs in your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this specifically for Shelters?
This program is designed for anyone who works with senior dogs in a veterinary or veterinary adjacent setting.
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What does this CE cover?
The Senior Dog Veterinary Certification Program currently has two levels. Level 1 focuses on the Fundamentals of Senior and Geriatric Canine Veterinary Care and the unique needs of Elderly canine patients. Level 2 the foundations and basics for senior and geriatric medicine within specialized areas.
Does this CE make a vet a senior dog specialist?
This veterinary certification is focused on enabling practitioners to become senior dog focused vets who have access and advanced training in the latest developments in canine geroscience and methods of caring for elderly canines.
Certification allows pet parents to find practitioners in their area that continue to focus a large portion of their training on geriatric canine medicine. At this time, there is no such thing as a specialty in geriatric canine medicine and our certification does not make a specialty.
How often will I need to take CE to stay on the website?
Veterinarians and Technicians will be listed in our Senior Dog Certified Directory, and annual CE hours will need to be renewed annually in order to stay Senior Dog Certified.
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Who can take this CE?
The veterinary certification can be taken by veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary professionals. As we grow, we will continue to evolve our CE offerings and have more tracks specific to each type of veterinary professional.
Which option is best for me?
Level 1 Certification provides a great foundation for all team members in your practice – including receptionists and all levels of assistants, technicians, veterinarians and specialists. Level 1+2 Certification is geared more towards doctors and technicians – including general practice veterinarians and specialists as well as credentialed technicians and assistants with comparable experience and role in your practice with patient care. However, any veterinary team members interested in learning more can enroll!
Is any of this CE relatable for cats?
Though there may be some crossovers for cats with aging, our CE is really focused on research behind canines at this time. As a different species, cats would benefit from their own track.