Ever wondered what an animal's journey through Toronto Humane Society looks like? Join Dr. Karen Ward, Chief Veterinary Officer, as she takes you through the life cycle of care. Using real animal examples and photos, she will take you on an exciting adventure from the intake exam, to medical care, training, and ultimately to home placement through foster or adoption.


Dr. Ward received her DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College. She was an ASPCA UC Davis Shelter Medicine fellow in 2012-13, and continues to act as a mentor in the Maddie’s Fund University of Wisconsin/University of California Davis Shelter Medicine Fellowship. She volunteers as a peer advisor with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, where she has also acted as an expert witness and a mentor.

Dr, Ward is passionate about improving the lives of animals, and is proud to be an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, a Fear Free Shelter Graduate and Low Stress Handling Certified – Silver.

Dr. Ward believes that shelter and community medicine is the world’s best job, and she is privileged to work at the Toronto Humane Society