Sheila Segurson

Dr. Sheila Segurson is the Director of Research for Maddie’s Fund and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. At Maddie’s Fund, Dr. Segurson leads research efforts, develops and champions innovative programs that improve animal welfare and collaborates with others on behavior initiatives that support companion animals and the communities.

Dr. Segurson has over 20 years of life experience in varying roles such as shelter volunteer, student, dog trainer, foster caregiver, veterinarian, clinical veterinary behaviorist, shelter veterinary behaviorist, consultant, teacher and leader. Dr. Segurson utilizes her background to help animal welfare organizations keep pets out of the shelter, improve companion animal welfare and make objective decisions for pets with behavioral concerns or challenges.

Dr. Segurson has contributed to several online courses and textbooks. She was the first author of University of Florida’s Shelter Animal Behavior and Welfare course (online), contributed to IAABC’s Animal Behavior Consulting course, contributed to the Fear Free Shelter Course, and contributed shelter behavior chapters to Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline and BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine, second edition. She serves on the Leadership Council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Shelter Standards Guidelines Review task force and leads the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Behavior Support Working Group.