DVM, MS, Ph.D., CCRT, DACVS, DACVSMR
Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw is a small animal surgeon and rehabilitation specialist whose career has focused on bridging the gap between these two disciplines. Dr. Shaw received her DVM, MS and PhD, and completed a small animal surgical residency at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Dr. Shaw spent 2 years as a clinical instructor at the University of Florida followed by 9 years in a specialty referral hospital in Seattle. Dr. Shaw worked for a global animal health company (Zoetis) for 3 years as an osteoarthritis specialist. This role combined two of her passions: teaching and travel. She travelled around the United States providing medical education about arthritis diagnosis and multi-modal management to veterinary professionals. Dr. Shaw left Zoetis in May 2024 in order to return to clinical practice. One of the primary goals of CARE is to provide unbiased, evidence-based information. For this reason Dr. Shaw did not contribute to CARE during her tenure at Zoetis. Dr. Shaw is currently an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Shaw believes strongly in the importance of early diagnosis of arthritis and proactive management, particularly through diet and exercise. She also believes that every dog and dog owner are unique, and there is rarely a one-size-fits all treatment plan for arthritis management. Therefore, veterinarians must understand all of their treatment options and how to develop a customized and comprehensive plan for each patient. In 2019 Dr. Shaw launched CARE to provide practical, evidence-based tools and resources for her veterinary colleagues, her clients, and those caring for dogs with arthritis around the world.
Dr. Shaw is a national and international speaker on the topics of arthritis, pain management, surgery and rehabilitation and has authored numerous journal articles and textbook chapters on these topics. Dr. Shaw is President of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, past president of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, and an instructor for the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. In 2018 she was the recipient of the John J. Sherman Award for Excellence in Veterinary Rehabilitation. In 2023 she was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Shaw’s passion for canine arthritis stems from managing pain and mobility concerns in her own dogs, Bella, Bailey, Beans and Arrow. While these four heart-dogs are no longer with us, their spirits live on in CARE teachings and videos. Dr. Shaw shares her home with her husband, Aaron, who works in the human rehabilitation and fitness world (check out his podcast!) and their Portuguese Water Dog, Eddie.