BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 7 -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University issued the following news release:
Laura Parkhurstrecently joined the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine as a clinical instructor in the shelter medicine and surgery clerkship.
Parkhurst joins the college during an ongoing crisis for the nation's animal shelters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adoption numbers went up due to people wanting companionship during tough, isolating times, but now, more and more people are returning or surrendering their pets to shelters. Shelter professionals have noted that many of these animals are under-socialized and have behavioral problems that make finding them a home even more difficult. As a result, shelters ar...