Inside Our Veterinary Training Program
Dr. Christine Austin (front, left) with Grace Santos, RVT (center), demonstrate pre-surgery techniques to a visiting veterinarian.
Thanks to the ongoing support of our donors, the HRS veterinary training initiative continues to expand. Striving to leverage our position as the only rabbit rescue in the U.S. with a staff veterinarian and on-site surgery suite, we’re working to fill the gap in rabbit-specific medical training.
So far this year, we’ve welcomed 25 veterinary professionals to train at our facility: five veterinarians, seven practicing registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) and assistants, nine RVT students, one second-year vet student, and three pre-vet students.
It’s truly exciting and inspiring to witness this growing interest in rabbit medicine. Each week, our facility is filled with professionals and students eager to learn, whether it’s mastering safe handling techniques, understanding rabbit-specific anesthesia protocols, or gaining confidence in performing spay and neuter surgeries.
These trainees come from all over California and other parts of the country, from a veterinarian with a mobile practice in nearby San Francisco to a pre-vet student currently studying at Texas Tech University. Each participant in the program gains hands-on experience in rabbit medicine rarely offered elsewhere, taking those skills back to their communities to improve care for rabbits everywhere. Seeing such a wide range of participants from across the state and beyond come together with a shared dedication to improving rabbit care gives us real hope for the future of rabbit medicine.
Dr. Sharma during a routine spay surgery at HRS’ in-house surgery suite.
Dr. Dayana Sharma, DVM, has completed over 100 hours of training, and the impact it’s had on her confidence and skills is clear:
“I’ve always wanted to learn more about rabbit medicine and do more rescue work, which encouraged me to reach out to HRS, and I am so glad I did! Dr. Austin, Grace the RVT, and the rest of the HRS staff have been nothing but welcoming. They all make HRS a wonderful learning environment. … With [Dr. Austin’s] help and guidance I now feel comfortable performing spay/neuter surgeries in rabbits! My comfort levels are always taken into consideration... and I am always encouraged to learn/try other surgical techniques and procedures (and I have!).”
And we’re not slowing down! This summer, we’re excited to welcome a veterinarian traveling from Arizona and a third-year veterinary student all the way from Scotland to train with our medical team. The enthusiasm and dedication from near and far remind us just how far-reaching this work can be.
Thank you for being part of this work. Support from our donors actively builds a stronger foundation for rabbit medicine; expanding access to quality rabbit-savvy veterinary care that will save more rabbit lives.
Together, we’re changing the future for rabbits, one vet, one life, one lesson at a time.
