Veterinary forensic science: Career opportunities
Veterinary forensic science is an evolving field that bridges veterinary medicine with other disciplines to advance animal welfare through scientific evidence and interdisciplinary collaboration. In this webinar, explore the many career pathways within this growing field.
Through real-world insights, learn how veterinary professionals partner with law enforcement, legal teams, and social services to help investigate and address cases of animal abuse and neglect. Dr. Kris Otteman discusses the scope of veterinary forensic science, her extensive experience in the field, the skills needed to succeed in interdisciplinary settings, and the range of opportunities available at different career stages. The session also addresses topics such as career exploration versus early specialization, navigating emotionally challenging work, and finding purpose through advocacy for vulnerable animals. This webinar is ideal for anyone interested in understanding how veterinary medicine can intersect with justice and societal impact.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Explore veterinary forensic science as a career path and its role within animal welfare, legal systems, and veterinary medicine.
- Identify career opportunities and entry points in veterinary forensics for students and veterinarians.
- Recognize how diverse career experiences and professional pivots can shape a meaningful veterinary career.
- Discover strategies for maintaining emotional resilience and sustainability when working on cases involving animal cruelty and neglect.
| Dr. Kendall Houlihan, an associate director in the Animal Welfare Division, has served at the AVMA since 2014. In this role, she supports the mission and vision of the AVMA regarding the development and implementation of animal welfare and human-animal interaction policies utilizing sound scientific evidence and consideration of ethical and societal implications. With focus on companion animal issues, specific responsibilities include providing staff support to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee and Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions, attending allied organization meetings to foster collaborative relationships with a variety of other veterinary organizations and stakeholder groups. Previously, she practiced as a companion animal veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Houlihan earned her undergraduate degree from University of Notre Dame and her veterinary degree from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. |
| Dr. Kris Otteman is a certified animal welfare administrator (CAWA) and a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in shelter medicine practice. Her veterinary practice experience includes starting a hospital, leading shelter medicine and humane investigations for the Oregon Humane Society, owning a mixed practice in southern Oregon, and being part of the start-up team for Banfield Pet Hospitals where she focused on team member advocacy and education. She currently serves as a courtesy faculty member for Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and works with the team at the Animal Legal Defense Fund as a veterinary consultant with emphasis on forensics. She is a member of the Association of Prosecuting Attorney s Animal Cruelty Advisory Committee and is a board member of the Humane Society of Southwest Washington. Dr. Otteman is a Charter Member of the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association and currently serves on the organization s board as immediate past president. She served on the National Shelter Medicine Organizing committee and was awarded the Oregon State Alumni Fellow award for her work that has advanced and improved veterinary education and the partnerships between animal welfare and veterinary professionals. She is passionate about advancing collaboration among experts in the fields of animal cruelty investigation, shelter medicine, and the veterinary profession. www.victim2verdict.com |
