The Animal Medical Center

The not-for-profit Animal Medical Center is New York Citys largest facility for animal care, research, and education. 90 veterinarians (30 of them board-certified) work with referring veterinarians to assist with specialty or critical care for companion animals and exotics. With over 50,000 patient visits annually, The AMC is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In anticipation of its 100th anniversary in 2010, The AMC is completing a comprehensive long-range plan to continue to lead and innovate in the 21 st century.

Surgical Residency


The Surgical Residency program at The Animal Medical Center is a comprehensive training experience with direct guidance in the surgical management of diseases. The surgical residency is a three year program designed to meet the guidelines of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. The program consists of rotations through soft tissue, orthopedic, and neurosurgical services ensuring the widest possible exposure. Continuation to the second and third year depends upon successful completion of the first year and approval of the staff.

The completion and publication of two scientific papers under the guidance and supervision of the surgical staff are required for satisfactory completion of the program. The intense surgical training under board certified surgeons and appropriate publications qualifies the resident to make application to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

An active caseload (7,000-7,500 procedures per annum) is one of the prime attractions of this residency program. This feature allows a resident to perform many difficult and complicated procedures repeatedly so that experience and confidence increases along with knowledge and exposure. The residents are expected to teach interns and other residents both in the operating room and on rounds.

The surgical residency is supported by ACVS certified surgical staff members who are directly responsible for resident training. In addition, other staff members in the Departments of Medicine and Pathology indirectly support the training program.

The Animal Medical Center is a full service hospital with 83 medical, surgical, and research veterinarians, and board certified specialists in the areas of internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, surgery, ophthalmology, emergency medicine/critical care, pathology, avian medicine, and radiology.

The wide variety of case material, the close interaction among the departments of surgery, medicine, radiology and pathology and the comprehensive lecture and seminar program create an atmosphere of dynamic surgical training and experience. Appointment to the second or third year is contingent upon successful completion of the previous year.