There is a forward looking Animals and Public Policy graduate program at Tufts University veterinary school, and I was invited to speak to the class.  The students raised a variety of thoughtful questions about how we treat other animals, and we had an engaging discussion.  Afterwards, I spoke to a larger assembly of students and faculty members at the veterinary school, and fielded their questions and comments, which reflected common attitudes and assumptions that are still embodied in many veterinary programs across the U.S.  Sadly, veterinary students (like medical students) often become hardened to their patients’ suffering, while individuals hoping to help animals by becoming veterinarians have abandoned the idea because they didn’t want to engage in inhumane practices and attitudes, which are in conflict with their values. In fact, many of the folks who work at our sanctuaries with the animals followed this path. While there is an increasing awareness about the importance of promoting compassion and ethical conduct in veterinary (and medical) practice, we still have a long way to go….