Great leaders are the kind of people who follow a path but also carve new ones. They combine deep knowledge with relentless curiosity, and they have a way of seeing what’s needed before others even know to ask. They connect with their work on a personal level, driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, not just in their field, but in the lives of those they serve. Their impact ripples far beyond laboratories and clinics; it touches communities, shapes futures, and inspires those around them to reach higher.
Dr. James Michael Shorter, Co-Managing Director at Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates, stands as a shining example. With a career built on innovation, compassion, and tireless dedication, he has reshaped veterinary medicine in New York and beyond. From pioneering mobile medical units for search and rescue dogs to mentoring countless young veterinarians, Dr. Shorter blends sharp scientific insight with a deeply human touch. His work is not just about advancing medicine—it’s about uplifting people and animals alike, making him one of the most respected and innovative leaders in his field today.
Shaped by Experience
Growing up in Washington, D.C., amid the social and political turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s, Dr. Shorter was profoundly influenced by the era’s challenges and transformations. His journey led him to Tuskegee University in Alabama, a historically Black university, where he navigated cultural and political differences that would later strengthen his adaptability and empathy.
He was profoundly influenced by his adoptive mother who was a renowned pediatrician who was a captain in United States Public Service, having travelled to Liberia working with Leper colonies in the 40’s. She was also a concert pianist and inherited ownership of the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Baseball Team prior to desegregation. She was instrumental in exposing Dr. Shorter as a young boy to music, medicine and travel
After earning his veterinary degree, Dr. James Michael Shorter married, raised two children, and eventually purchased and managed his own veterinary practice. His life experiences—ranging from extensive travel to years of independent practice ownership—prepared him to connect with a diverse clientele in New York City, a metropolis where fewer than 5% of veterinarians nationwide are professionals of color.
As an African American veterinarian, Dr. Shorter learned to think creatively, study rigorously, and communicate with precision to earn his clients’ trust and loyalty. His skill and passion for surgery brought immense personal and professional satisfaction. A lifelong craftsman at heart, he has always enjoyed working with his hands—whether performing intricate surgeries, painting, or building detailed model ships and airplanes from wood and plastic.
Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Shorter holds dual certifications in Sports Medicine and Personal Training through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT). He takes great pride in these achievements, which reflect his lifelong commitment to personal health and physical performance.
New Beginnings in New York
After successfully owning and operating his AAHA-accredited small animal practice in Teaneck, New Jersey, for 23 years, Dr. James Michael Shorter sold the hospital and joined his longtime colleague, Dr. Barbara Kalvig, at New York Veterinary Hospital on 74th Street and Lexington Avenue. At the time, Dr. Kalvig had recently been appointed Hospital Director following her tenure as the longest-serving associate of the former owner, Dr. Howard Kessler. The practice, owned by VCA—one of the first corporate veterinary groups in New York—was situated in the heart of the Upper East Side and catered to a discerning and sophisticated clientele.
As Chief Surgeon and Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Shorter played a key role in running the thriving hospital, helping the team achieve revenues of $1.6 million per year. However, after several successful years, Drs. Kalvig and Shorter decided against purchasing the practice from VCA, whose corporate structure limited the level of personalized care and diagnostic thoroughness they envisioned. Bound by a non-compete agreement, they transitioned through a few temporary locations before establishing their own practice in Murray Hill on East 39th Street in April 2012.
Their commitment to exceptional client service, comprehensive diagnostics, and individualized patient care quickly resonated with their loyal clientele—many of whom followed them from the Upper East Side. In time, the original 74th Street hospital saw its decline, while Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates flourished as a trusted name in Manhattan veterinary care.
Personalized Care at the Heart of Manhattan
Serving Manhattan with a combined background of over 50 years in veterinary medicine, Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates (KSV) is deeply committed to providing personalized, compassionate care to pets and their owners. Founded on the belief that thorough, honest, and individualized service is essential in healthcare, KSV prioritizes patient comfort and quality outcomes through attentive, hands-on care.
At KSV, the team takes pride in spending quality time with each patient and client, emphasizing clear communication and education. Rather than operating as a high-volume clinic, they focus on detailed service, ensuring every pet receives proper guidance in their medical, nutritional, behavioral, and overall wellness needs. The practice embraces a preventative diagnostic approach, believing it offers the best chance for long-term health and vitality.
KSV offers a comprehensive range of advanced hospital services including dentistry, digital radiology, ultrasound, pharmacy and laboratory services, surgery with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, and both inpatient hospitalization and outpatient care. Clients can schedule consultations in internal medicine with procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, EKG, and echocardiograms, as well as orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries.
The practice maintains close relationships with top board-certified specialists in fields such as internal medicine, surgery, critical care, neurology, ophthalmology, oncology, nutrition, and behavior. This collaborative approach ensures pets receive the highest level of diagnostic and therapeutic care. Additional services like day care, bathing, and veterinary house calls are also available, and when needed, KSV guides clients to trusted specialists and referral options.
More than just a clinic, Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates extends its mission beyond its walls—actively engaging in community partnerships and leadership roles within the New York City veterinary community, particularly in disaster preparedness and response.
Commitment to Service
Dr. James Michael Shorter’s profound experience as a first responder at Ground Zero on 9/11 shaped his enduring dedication to emergency preparedness, including specialized care for working dogs and handlers exposed to hazardous conditions.
Over the past 24 years, Dr. Shorter has played an active role in developing protocols for first responder canine care in collaboration with military, police, and transit K9 units across New York and New Jersey. As a co-founder of the New York City Veterinary Emergency Response Team (NYCVERT), established after 9/11, and as the Veterinary Advisor for Tails of Hope—a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting working and service animals—he has been instrumental in promoting preparedness and response education within both professional and pet-owning communities.
Through NYCVERT and Tails of Hope, Dr. James Michael Shorter and his team have provided aid during major crises, including Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, and the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. He spent two weeks in Port-au-Prince delivering vital medical supplies to orphanages and relief organizations, reflecting his unwavering belief that veterinary medicine extends far beyond the clinic—it is also a calling to serve in times of greatest need.
His disaster response work also sparked a lasting professional focus on emergency preparedness and zoonotic disease transmission. Dr. Shorter developed a specialized interest in decontamination and first aid for working and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) dogs and their handlers—areas where he has helped advance protocols for safety and care under extreme conditions.
Innovating in Disaster Response
Building on his extensive experience in emergency veterinary care, Dr. James Michael Shorter served as the lead designer of a groundbreaking mobile veterinary MASH unit prototype—an advanced, fully equipped hospital for search and rescue canines. Housed within a 53-foot tractor-trailer, the unit was engineered to be deployed to disaster sites for a minimum of two weeks, operating entirely self-sufficiently with its own water and electrical supply.
This state-of-the-art mobile hospital features complete diagnostic and treatment capabilities, including digital X-ray, surgery, ultrasound, intensive care, pharmacy, decontamination, endoscopy, and emergency services—all available directly in the field. Dr. Shorter emphasizes the importance of such innovation, noting the common misconception that canines can simply be transported to nearby veterinary facilities during a crisis. In reality, local clinics are often compromised by the very disasters they aim to respond to—whether natural, biological, chemical, or man-made.
At present, no comparable prototype exists on a local or national level, making this initiative one of a kind. Dr. Shorter and his team continue to seek funding to bring this vital project fully to life, ensuring that canine first responders receive the immediate, on-site medical care they deserve during critical missions.
Mentorship and Community
Dr. James Michael Shorter is deeply committed to mentorship, diversity, and professional development within the veterinary community. He is an active member of the National Association of Black Veterinarians (NABV), the Tuskegee Veterinary Alumni Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Throughout his career, Dr. James Michael Shorter has mentored numerous veterinary students across the country through NABV, sharing his experience and guidance with the next generation of practitioners. At Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates, he has hosted countless interns and pre-veterinary students, providing hands-on exposure to the realities of clinical practice.
His newest initiative, beginning in November 2025, is a partnership with Ellis Academy in the Bronx, New York—a program dedicated to mentoring immigrant students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. Through these efforts, Dr. Shorter continues to foster inclusivity, education, and leadership in the field, ensuring that aspiring veterinarians from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.
Challenges in Modern Veterinary Medicine
Dr. James Michael Shorter observes significant shifts within the veterinary industry that he believes warrant concern. One of the most notable is the rapid expansion of corporate-owned veterinary practices and specialty services, which he feels have reshaped the profession’s landscape. As one of the few remaining privately owned practices in New York City, Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates faces constant challenges in competing with large corporate groups for skilled staff—veterinary technicians, associate doctors, receptionists, and managers—particularly in terms of compensation and signing incentives.
Dr. Shorter also voices concern that the growing corporatization and rising costs of specialty care are making veterinary services increasingly inaccessible to many pet owners, leaving quality care affordable only to the wealthy. Additionally, he notes that private practitioners struggle to keep pace with the high cost of medical supplies and economic pressures that affect day-to-day operations.
Equally important to him is the reliance of younger veterinarians on artificial intelligence tools for diagnostics and treatment decisions. While technology can be useful, Dr. Shorter emphasizes that no algorithm can replace the critical thinking, communication skills, and hands-on experience developed through real-world practice. In his view, the essence of veterinary medicine lies in the human connection—learning through triumphs and setbacks alike—which remains irreplaceable in an increasingly digital world.
Words of Wisdom
With 47 years of experience in veterinary medicine, spanning clinical practice, surgery, and disaster response across various regions of the United States, Dr. James Michael Shorter offers heartfelt advice to aspiring and newly graduated veterinarians. He emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning—encouraging professionals to continue studying, reading widely, and staying informed about social, political, and cultural dynamics that shape the communities they serve.
Dr. Shorter believes that travel and exposure to diverse cultures deepen empathy and understanding, qualities essential to providing compassionate care. He urges young veterinarians to take pride in their work, pay attention to detail, and accept that the profession is a continual journey of growth. Successes and failures alike, he notes, are valuable teachers. Above all, he stresses honesty and integrity, reminding future practitioners that authenticity and humility will naturally shine through in their interactions—with clients, colleagues, and the animals entrusted to their care.
Reflecting on his remarkable career, Dr. James Michael Shorter expresses deep gratitude for a profession that has allowed him to touch countless lives and grow continuously as both a healer and a person. He takes special pride in his family—his son, an attorney trained at George Washington University, and his daughter, a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University after graduating from UC Davis School of Medicine. For Dr. Shorter success is measured not only by professional accomplishments but by the wisdom, empathy, and legacy built along the way.
