Dr. Renee Staffeld is the newest member to join the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, as a Clinical Instructor. Staffeld is no stranger to the area– she was born and raised in Ithaca, NY and is excited to be returning back home.
Dr. Staffeld has always had a foot in shelter medicine, volunteering with program friends Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA and the SPCA of Tompkins County as a teenager, but it was her volunteer experience at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ithaca that drew her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. “To fully help animals, I needed to become a vet,” she said
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Staffeld received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cornell University, and completed her veterinary degree at Cornell’s CVM in 2020.
After graduation, Staffeld flew west for a shelter medicine specialty internship at the Denver Dumb Friends League and stayed on for two years as a clinical staff member at their CSU Spur outreach location. When asked about choosing shelter medicine and community animal health as a specialty, Staffeld said “every animal deserves veterinary care and to avoid pain and suffering.”
Staffeld is looking forward to working with others in the population medicine department, and being able to develop her skills in teaching, advising and consulting with other shelters on policies and procedures. 
Welcome Dr. Staffeld! We are so excited to be working with you this year!. 🙂
FUN FACT: Dr. Staffeld originally set out to become a professional dancer and was part of the Ithaca Ballet. She also enjoys swing dancing in her spare time.
