Lawrence N Garcia,

Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Garcia, MS, DVM, is a Clinical Associate Professor and serves as the Medical Director of the Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (VETS) Team at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. With a diverse background in general practice, shelter medicine, and emergency response, Dr. Garcia brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the fields of veterinary disaster preparedness and animal sheltering.

Dr. Garcia began his veterinary career in general practice before transitioning into shelter medicine and surgery. He served in a large, open-admission municipal animal shelter in South Florida, where he quickly became involved in emergency planning and response. In this role, he participated in numerous emergency response drills, collaborated on the development and revision of county emergency management protocols under Emergency Support Function 17 (ESF-17), and served in both the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and at the shelter itself. His leadership extended to oversight of both shelter-based and field operations during emergencies, positioning him as a key contributor to the region’s animal emergency response infrastructure.

His expertise in shelter operations and emergency management led to his recruitment by the University of Florida. Upon joining the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Garcia applied his practical knowledge to academic training, establishing two innovative clinical clerkships. These clerkships embed veterinary students in municipal animal shelter operations, providing real-world experience in shelter medicine, population management, and public service.

As Medical Director of the UF VETS Team, Dr. Garcia plays a central role in disaster preparedness and response. He is responsible for developing medical protocols, overseeing medical equipment and pharmaceutical inventory, and providing both leadership and training to team members. His role ensures that the VETS Team remains ready to respond to disasters affecting animal populations throughout Florida and beyond.

Dr. Garcia is also actively involved in technical rescue training. He provides instruction and support for both Awareness- and Operations-level Animal Technical Rescue courses, training veterinary students, veterinarians, and first responders in critical animal rescue skills. Additionally, he contributes to online graduate-level coursework focused on disaster response, helping to educate the next generation of veterinary professionals in emergency preparedness.

A strong advocate for interagency collaboration, Dr. Garcia has worked with the Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART) on large-scale disaster drills and real-world deployments. His combined experience in shelter medicine, emergency management, and veterinary education make him a vital asset to Florida’s veterinary emergency response infrastructure.

Through his leadership, Dr. Garcia continues to bridge the gap between academic training and real-world response, equipping veterinary professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to protect animal health during times of crisis.

In my clinical role, I provide care and support to a large number of animals each year while also serving as an educator and mentor to veterinary students across multiple areas of the curriculum. I work closely with students to develop their clinical and professional skills in diverse settings, including simulation labs, animal shelters, surgical training facilities, and community outreach programs.

Through both group-based and individualized supervision, I guide students as they apply core clinical competencies—such as obtaining patient histories, performing physical examinations, communicating with clients, interpreting diagnostic tests, formulating treatment plans, and performing sterilization procedures. I emphasize the importance of delivering high-quality, compassionate care, helping students build confidence and competence in technical, communication, and interpersonal skills.

These hands-on learning experiences take place in a variety of clinical environments and serve a broad spectrum of clients. Our patient population includes individuals with limited access to veterinary services, foster caregivers, nonprofit animal welfare organizations, and publicly funded municipal shelter agencies. By working with these diverse communities, students not only strengthen their clinical abilities but also develop a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and ethical factors that influence animal health and access to care.

Research Agenda My research agenda is three-pronged, with each area unified by a commitment to advancing veterinary medical education. The overarching goal of my scholarship is to generate actionable insights that veterinary schools can apply to enhance student learning experiences and improve continuing education for practicing veterinarians.

1. Veterinary Professional Skills Training

My first area of scholarship focuses on enhancing clinical and professional skills training through the development and use of simulation-based learning tools. As veterinary education increasingly shifts toward competency-based models, simulation offers a safe and controlled environment in which students can build technical proficiency and confidence before transitioning to live animal procedures. My work explores the design, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of simulation modalities—from low- and high-fidelity task trainers for procedures such as venipuncture, catheter placement, and surgery, to communication simulators including standardized clients and virtual reality scenarios. These tools provide structured opportunities for students to develop both clinical competencies and essential communication skills, particularly in sensitive contexts involving euthanasia, financial constraints, and the delivery of difficult news. My research assesses the impact of simulation-based training on student performance, skill acquisition, and preparedness, while also identifying best practices for curricular integration. Ultimately, this work aims to cultivate veterinary professionals who are both technically skilled and emotionally intelligent in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics.

2. Veterinary Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

My second area of scholarship centers on the role of veterinarians in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery—both natural and man-made. Although the profession’s engagement in these areas has increased, there is significant room for growth. Research consistently shows that effective preparedness and planning are key determinants of successful disaster outcomes. With their unique expertise in animal health, welfare, and husbandry, veterinarians are essential stakeholders in the development and execution of sustainable disaster response frameworks. My work in this area aims to advance veterinary involvement in emergency planning efforts, develop educational programs that prepare students for disaster response roles, and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration between veterinary professionals and emergency management agencies.

3. Surgical Sterilization Training in Veterinary Education

My third area of scholarship focuses on improving surgical sterilization training for veterinary students. Despite exposure to various surgical opportunities, many graduates report a lack of confidence in performing routine procedures such as spays and neuters. At the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, I contribute to a curriculum that offers hands-on instruction in both group and individualized settings across a range of clinical environments. My research examines the effectiveness of these training approaches, with the aim of improving student confidence, competence, and surgical outcomes. This work supports the broader goal of ensuring new veterinarians are practice-ready upon graduation.

Research Mentorship and Collaborative Scholarship

In addition to my independent scholarship, I am actively involved in mentoring students across diverse research initiatives, including Master of Public Health (MPH) projects and summer research programs. I provide guidance in study design, data collection and analysis, and manuscript development. One notable collaborative project involved assessing parasitic infection rates in shelter animals at intake and discharge under current deworming protocols. Through these mentorship experiences, I strive to cultivate the next generation of veterinary researchers and promote a culture of evidence-based practice.