Supervised clinical instruction in the medical and surgical areas of a busy community shelter practice. Students perform medical, dental and surgical treatments for the benefit of animals owned by the shelter. LMU-CVM faculty work with the shelter medical and surgical teams in the supervision of students. Students perform physical examinations on dogs and cats, and discuss their findings with LMU-CVM faculty, shelter veterinarians and staff. Students are intimately involved in providing medical, surgical and preventive care to shelter animals. Students are involved in the preparation and performance of elective surgeries (such as ovariohysterectomy, orchiectomy, and dentistry) on dogs and cats under the supervision of LMU-CVM faculty, shelter veterinarians and staff. Students take part in discussions and/or demonstrations in regard to animal behavior problems and potential solutions. Students participate in medicine and surgery rounds. Students make formal rounds presentation to other students and staff during the course and prepare a presentation relevant to the shelter experience with the approval of the course director for presentation at rotation end. The course is composed of hands on medical and surgical care of shelter-owned animals, lectures, self-study, case write ups and presentations and team based exercises.