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Since her graduation in 2007, Ruth has been working as a first-line veterinarian. However, the academic world remained attractive to her; alongside her clinical work, she also works one day a week as a staff member within the Department of Animal Science, Society and Health. In 2009, it was decided to establish Shelter Medicine within the Department of Companion Animals. Ruth has dedicated herself to the further development of this new veterinary field, which focuses on the veterinary care of commercially kept companion animals, particularly in shelters. Annually, approximately 115 animal shelters in the Netherlands take in thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals. The veterinary care of these 'group-held' animals requires a different approach compared to treating an individual animal. Shelter Medicine emphasizes disease prevention, which necessitates evaluating factors such as infection pressure and the effectiveness of preventive measures. Ruth's experience includes working with various Dutch and American animal protection organizations after her graduation as a biologist in 1988, adding a challenging new dimension to her veterinary career. In 2013, Ruth van der Leij received the Moyra Stava-Morena Prize for initiating and developing the field of Shelter Medicine.
Department of Psychology