Two UF faculty now in leadership roles with shelter veterinarian association
Two faculty members associated with the University of Florida’s Veterinary Community Outreach Program currently hold leadership positions with the professional organization for shelter veterinarians around the globe.
The Association of Shelter Veterinarians recently re-elected Dr. Brian DiGangi, a clinical assistant professor with the VCOP at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, as president of the group and elected Dr. Kelly Harrison, a clinical instructor, to its board of directors.
Harrison will serve a three-year term that begins on January 1. Board members represent all regions of the United States and various interest groups, including veterinarians employed by animal shelters, public health, national humane organizations and academia.
A 2012 graduate of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, Harrison performed an internship in shelter medicine at the college and then served as veterinary program manager at PetSmart Charities. Her professional interests include improving the overall standards of care and well being of shelter animals, high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter and behavioral health strategies for animals living within shelter environments.
DiGangi has been on the faculty at UF since 2010. The coming year will be his sixth year on the ASV’s board.
Dr. Natalie Isaza, director of the VCOP, also served on the board from 2008-2013 and served as president from 2011-2012.
The association consists of more than 1,500 members and 28 student chapters from around the globe.