In a North Philadelphia rowhome, four students from the School of Veterinary Medicine are examining Pebbles, a friendly cocker spaniel. She’s a little overweight but otherwise healthy. “She has a great hairdo,” fourthyear student Hannah MacAyeal tells Billy, Pebbles’ owner.

The group then initiates another conversation about Billy’s other cocker spaniel, a male named Mr. Earl, who isn’t neutered, and points out the benefits of neutering Billy is initially unsure, by the end of the visit he is more comfortable, and arranges for Mr. Earl to have the surgery.

The students’ visit was a part of the Pets for Life program, an initiative of the Humane Society of the United States that provides free spay/neuter and wellness care for pets in underserved communities. Penn Vet has partnered with the program since 2013, an arrangement that enhances the education of veterinary students while providing animals with care they need—but their owners may not be able to afford.

The program is representative of an expanding notion of what shelter medicine entails. Rather than focusing just on animals in shelters, Pets for Life shares information and provides resources for owners to keep their pets healthy at home.

Philadelphia is one of the core locations for Pets for Life and has become a model of success; the program has since expanded to 30 cities, concentrating in pet service “deserts.” In Philadelphia alone, more than 13,000 pets have been seen as part of the program.

“Over threequarters of the clients in the program have never been to a veterinarian,” says Brittany Watson, director of shelter animal medicine and community engagement at Penn Vet. “We’re able to be this link for these individuals to trust veterinarians and understand why this care is so important.”

As part of their shelter medicine rotation, Penn Vet students in their third or fourth year do neighborhood outreach with Pets for Life each Thursday of the spring semester. Sometimes it’s to check up on pets who have been neutered or vaccinated; other times it’s pure doortodoor canvassing, striking up conversations with residents about their pets.

These visits give the students realworld experience in primary veterinary care. In one outing earlier this spring, they encountered ear mites, skin diseases, behavioral problems, and undiagnosed masses.