Spectrum of Care: How to Make it Work

Renée Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Onc), received her veterinary medical degree in 1991 from Michigan State University (MSU). While there, she established the university’s Pet Loss Support Group. Alsarraf completed a rotating internship and medical oncology residency in New York City at the Animal Medical Center. She worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering in a tissue culture lab. Alsarraf has performed numerous veterinary clinical trials, coauthored peer-reviewed journal articles, and has lectured both locally and on the national level. Alsarraf has created 4 different veterinary oncology practices and has created and led 3 veterinary radiation facilities. Currently, Alsarraf works as a senior veterinarian in Oncology at the Animal Medical Center. She is a reviewer for MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine admissions. Her acclaimed memoir, Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well, celebrates the human-animal bond in its deepest form. She has done extensive interviews about her book on national TV, local TV, podcasts and in-person events. Alsarraf enjoys giving back to the community by lecturing to students in grades K-8; is a mentor to MSU Veterinary School students; structured and offered internships for students; created a literacy program for a Newark, New Jersey, public elementary school; is on the Cooperman College Scholars Committee, reviewing applications for underprivileged high school students; headed a local community outreach for years, was on the executive committee for a local Boy Scouts of America chapter, and was on the University of Rochester Parents’ Outreach Committee. Alsarraf serves on the board of directors for the Animal Cancer Foundation and on the advisory board for Get Joy & Company Dog Food.