Olathe Animal Shelter Enters Partnership With Kansas State University

Last fall, as part of early planning efforts related to the future animal shelter, City of Olathe staff met with representatives from the Kansas State University Olathe campus and the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, which has a specialty program in shelter medicine.

The goal of the meeting was to outline ways the groups could work together after the completion of the new Animal Care & Control campus in 2027. However, they quickly realized there was opportunity to partner much sooner than that.

"We're grateful for our partnership with K-State and the support their mobile surgery unit has provided for animals in our care," City of Olathe Deputy Quality of Life Director JJ O'Toole-Curan said. "By bringing veterinary services directly to our shelter, this collaboration helps us care for resident animals while also supporting the next generation of veterinarians."

Three dates (3/10, 4/7 and 5/5) were selected for K-State to bring its mobile surgery unit to the parking lot of the current animal shelter to help perform procedures on resident animals. The surgeries were performed by Dr. Heather Moulding, the current K-State Shelter Medicine & Community Outreach intern. She is a fully licensed veterinarian pursuing advanced training in the field of shelter medicine.

The mobile surgery unit utilized with the Olathe partnership is one of two mobile units operating within the K-State Shelter Medicine and Community Outreach program. The shelter medicine program at K-state was established in 2015 with the goal to produce more "practice ready" veterinarians by building clinical skills in surgery, physical examination, diagnostic/therapeutic plan development and client communication. These foundational skills are performed as service-based curriculum which provides medical and surgical care to those with limited access.

"KSU Shelter medicine is built on strong community partnerships," Assistant Clinical Professor - Shelter Medicine Dr. Cody Dressler said. "When animal shelters and welfare organizations collaborate with our program, it provides a win-win for everyone. Students gain valuable skills in real-world scenarios, while our partners expand their capacity to serve animals and support their communities. We are so grateful to the Olathe Animal Shelter for their work and look forward to what we can accomplish together."

With the help of the mobile surgery unit, the shelter was able to perform 16 surgeries on March 10, which is more surgeries than they would normally be able to perform on a typical day, given the limitations of the current building.

The early success of the current partnership has opened discussions about other ways the groups can partner in the near future ahead of the opening of the new animal shelter.

"Partnering with K-State has been a meaningful opportunity, and we're excited about the potential ahead," O'Toole-Curran said. "We look forward to building on our shelter medicine partnership while also beginning to work together on the community medicine side to further support animal welfare and expand services for our community."