Dr. Theresa (Tess) House, DVM, MPH, dives into a topic that can spark strong opinions: commercial dog breeding kennels. If you’ve ever wondered what veterinarians can do to improve animal welfare in these facilities, or what standards, oversight, and welfare programs actually look like behind the scenes, this episode breaks it all down in a thoughtful and practical way. Gang, let’s get into this episode!
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LINKS
Resources Mentioned
– USDA Animal Care Search Tool
Sample APHIS Forms
– APHIS Form 7002: Program of Care
– APHIS Form 7013: Exercise Plan for Dogs
Canine Welfare
– Canine Care Certified (Purdue University)
AVMA Resources
– 2025 Pet Ownership & Demographic Sourcebook
– Attending Veterinarians & Commercial Dog Breeders
– Preserving Antimicrobial Effectiveness
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Theresa (Tess) House is an animal welfare expert and an assistant director in the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Division. She received her DVM and master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota, and in 2022 she became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. She has a wide range of clinical experience-from cats and dogs to monkeys to hedgehogs-and finds zoonotic diseases especially fascinating. Within her role at the AVMA, she is passionate about improving animal welfare for breeding dogs to ensure healthy, happy, and behaviorally sound dogs are available for generations to come.
