Dr. Lais Costa received her veterinary degree from Sao Pãulo State University – Botucatu, Brazil. She holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Kentucky, where she worked at the Maxwell Gluck Equine Research Center in Lexington, and a PhD from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University.  She has served several roles as a clinician and educator in equine and large animal internal medicine at veterinary medical teaching hospitals including Louisiana State University, University of Georgia, Tufts University, Mississippi State University and University of California – Davis.

Dr. Costa’s interests lie at the intersection of health and welfare of animals and humans and their interactions with the environment. Her focus is on understanding and mitigating the impacts of disasters on animals, especially in more vulnerable communities.

An expert in disaster preparedness and response, Dr. Costa serves as the director of the International Animal Welfare Training Initiative at UC Davis. In this role, she supports training of veterinary professionals, veterinary students, first responders (firefighters, search and rescue teams, etc.), and others in disaster response. She is also the large animal clinical veterinarian for the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), which supports and trains a network of government agencies, individuals, and organizations to aid domestic animals and livestock during natural disasters.

Join Dr. Costa to learn about tips and resources to prepare for natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, ensuring the best outcomes for your animals.

UC Davis International Animal Welfare Training Initiative: https://iawti.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/