VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Aimee Dalrymple
Aimee Dalrymple DVM '95
Shelter Medicine Specialist, Shelter Veterinary Care Consulting LLC, based at Natick, Mass.
How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
My VMCVM education equipped me with excellent foundational clinical skills that have served me well throughout my career that started with small animal general practice and transitioned to shelter medicine practice and board specialization.
Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
The connections with my friends that have lasted over 30 years.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
"Helping you care for animals in need." My work as an independent shelter medicine specialist includes teaching at three different veterinary schools, consulting with local shelters, and collaborating on research projects.
My hidden talent...
Studying and working remotely! I earned my Master's in Shelter Medicine through the University of Florida's Online Shelter Medicine Program and now teach other veterinary and non-veterinary professionals from all over the United States and the world.
What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
I did not know that I would be called upon to ear tag a sow or operate a cattle chute again after vet school! Shelter medicine can involve many different species and I spent four months in 2016 working regularly as an on-site veterinarian at a temporary shelter for farm animals. Turns out it was like riding a bicycle, and I was able to revive those skills when needed.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
...is that shelter veterinarians "cut corners" or practice substandard medicine, which could not be farther than the truth. Working in resource-limited environments challenges us to question the status quo, assess the evidence base, and share research to improve clinical practice to promote animal welfare. I am proud to be a founding editorial member of The Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health, a peer-reviewed, open-access society journal published by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). JSMCAH welcomes research covering the full range of shelter medicine competencies, including preventive care, population health, behavior, community outreach, and operations, as well as interdisciplinary topics like shelter forensics, disaster response, public health, and leadership.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
All the hard work is worth it! Veterinary practice is so varied, inspiring, challenging and wonderful. There is nothing like bringing a sick, injured, abandoned, or fearful animal back to health and seeing them thrive.
Fondest college memory or tradition...
Outdoor parties where everyone would bring their dogs. My basset hound Maggie could never keep up with the pack but she had a great time trying!
My favorite quote...
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Being a VMCVM alumnus means...
...using my hard-earned skills to alleviate animals' pain and suffering and to promote animal and community health and well-being.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Two dogs. Rocky is a 4-year-old pit bull/hound mix that I adopted as a puppy from the City of Boston shelter. Ginny is a 2-year-old cattle dog mix recently adopted from the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
