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Shelter medicine professor honored by national clinicians’ group

Dr. Julie Levy

Dr. Julie Levy, the Fran Marino Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians’ award for Faculty Achievement in Teaching.

Levy focuses on the health and welfare of animals in shelters, feline infectious diseases and humane alternatives for cat population control. She founded Operation Catnip, a community cat trap-neuter-return program that has spayed, neutered and vaccinated nearly 100,000 cats in Gainesville since 1998.

Levy’s research in her field has resulted in the development of new standards of ethical care for free-roaming animals, using nonsurgical contraception methods in conjunction with large-scale animal sterilization programs and population modeling to understand population dynamics.

Among her previous awards are the Avanzino Leadership Award by Maddie’s Fund, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Meritorious Service Award, the Carl J. Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award, Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year, and the European Society of Feline Medicine Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Feline Medicine.

Levy co-founded the Shelter Medicine Program with Dr. Cynda Crawford in 2008. The curriculum includes topical courses, clinical clerkships and in-shelter externship experiences. Hundreds of veterinary students at the University of Florida have earned the Professional Certificate in Shelter Medicine, a nationally recognized credential that documents intensive study and expertise in this specialized discipline. Success of the certificate program led to expansion to an international audience of students and working professionals who can enroll in Shelter Medicine courses leading to certificates or a master’s degree in the fully online Shelter Medicine Distance Education Program.

The AAVC awards in teaching and research are presented to association members who have achieved national recognition through their efforts on behalf of veterinary medicine.

“A pioneer in the field of shelter medicine, Dr. Levy’s influence has been felt among veterinary students at UF, as well as all over the U.S. and globally through various workshops and training programs she facilitates or participates in,” said the college’s dean, Dr. Dana Zimmel. “Dr. Levy is exceptionally deserving of this prestigious award.”