Working Dog and Canine Sports Medicine

Catalog description

This rotation combines time at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC) and the Sports and Performance Medicine Service at Ryan Veterinary Hospital. Students gain hands-on experience in specialized care for working and athletic dogs. This rotation focuses on preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions related to performance, sports, and working dog tasks. Students learn to incorporate cooperative care in physical exams tailored to athletic and working dogs' unique needs, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal assessments to identify performance-limiting conditions. The service incorporates advanced diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, pain management, and performance testing to assess and improve the athletic capabilities of dogs. At the PVWDC, students will have opportunities to observe training sessions to understand the physical and mental demands placed on working dogs. In both locations, students are engaged in real-world veterinary care that involves both traditional medical care and specialized performance support. It’s an opportunity to develop clinical proficiency while working with high-drive dogs.