How an MSL Empowers Veterinarians to Shape Animal Law

Expanding the Role of Veterinarians in Animal Protection

Veterinarians are on the front lines of animal welfare; they may witness firsthand the impacts of neglect, abuse, and gaps in regulation. Clinical expertise alone, however, does not always provide the tools needed to influence systemic change.

The MSL program at Lewis & Clark was designed to equip professionals with those tools. Through an education grounded in legislation, advocacy, education, and regulatory work, veterinarians receive an opportunity to make a greater impact on a broader scale. “We have a profound history of groundbreaking firsts,” Dr. Reddy notes.

From Clinical Practice to Courtroom and Policy Impact

Dr. Alba Michelle Gonzalez shared how her work in veterinary forensics led her to pursue legal education. After years of working on animal cruelty and neglect cases, “It was really important for me to understand the law if I was going to be a better advocate … it was going to be important both in court and outside of court.”

Outside of the courtroom, Dr. Gonzalez assists by contributing to drafting legislation for an animal advocacy organization. One of her Lewis & Clark classes had her draft proposed legislation, and “I took it really seriously. I utilized that class to create the proposal, and that proposal is actually being utilized,” she says. 

In the courtroom, the MSL program has strengthened how Dr. Gonzalez approaches her work, which includes expert witness testimony and victim impact statements, and “Because of my training and education from this MSL, I’m actually permitted to give legal expert testimony. Again … the MSL has just made me a great advocate.”

Creating Change Beyond the Clinic

For Dr. Emily Talkington, “the reason why I chose to go into the Lewis & Clark animal law program is because I wanted to effect change on a bigger scale. With this program, not only did I learn the background of the law, but how to use the law, and the loopholes of the law. These are things that we weren’t taught as part of our veterinary medical education, but are very important to know.” 

She gained perspective and communication skills that opened doors to places and rooms that she would never have felt comfortable in before. “It has empowered me to go into, say, the state capitol and lobby …. Our voice as veterinarians is really important.” 

Through the MSL program, she developed the ability to connect veterinary findings directly to legal standards. Her work now includes assisting prosecutors in interpreting whether specific cases meet the legal definition of animal cruelty, contributing to legislative drafting, and providing expert testimony. This expanded role allows her to move beyond purely medical analysis and engage more directly with how laws are applied in real cases.

Learning Across Disciplines

The MSL program prioritizes interdisciplinary learning and attracts professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including veterinarians, attorneys, scientists, and advocates.

This dynamic environment helps students understand different perspectives and collaborate more effectively, which are essential skills for working on complex animal law and policy issues. For veterinarians, this means learning how to translate clinical knowledge into legal and policy frameworks while working alongside professionals in other fields.

Lewis & Clark created the MSL with a clear vision: to empower professionals from diverse backgrounds to advance animal protection through the law. Today, that vision is reflected in a growing global network of alumni working across sectors, from policy and advocacy to nonprofit leadership and education. Veterinarians are an integral part of that network, bringing critical expertise that strengthens animal protection efforts worldwide.

Making the Most Out of a Veterinary Career

Veterinarians do not need to leave their profession to drive meaningful change in animal protection and advocacy. The MSL enhances their ability to:

• Advocate for stronger animal protection laws
• Influence policy and regulatory decisions
• Support enforcement and legal processes
• Lead and educate within their field

By combining veterinary expertise with legal knowledge, veterinarians are uniquely positioned to shape the future of animal protection. The Animal Law MSL at Lewis & Clark Law School offers a flexible, fully online path to gain legal expertise and drive meaningful change. With strong scholarship opportunities and a global network of advocates, the program is designed to support professionals ready to take the next step in their careers. 

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