Meet Dr. Shuman: Making care accessible for pets in Austin

Dr. Frank Shuman IV has spent his career finding ways to make excellent veterinary care more accessible, whether that meant treating shelter animals with nowhere else to turn or building a surgery center designed to bring high-quality procedures within financial reach for more families.

As Medical Director at three NVA hospitals in Austin (South Park Animal Hospital, Southwest Veterinary Hospital, and Dripping Springs Animal Hospital), Dr. Shuman has spent over a decade building lasting relationships with clients and their pets. Earlier this year, he opened Moontower Veterinary Surgery Center in South Austin, a dedicated surgical facility offering advanced procedures at more affordable prices.

Dr. Shuman also sits on NVA's Medical Advisory Board, where he connects with colleagues across the organization to advance veterinary care and improve hospital efficiency.

We asked Dr. Shuman 10 rapid-fire questions about surgery, shelter medicine, and his life outside of work.

Orthopedic surgery 🦴 or soft tissue surgery 🩺?

Both provide different challenges, but orthopedic cases, especially fractures, are so unique each time. Each case takes a different approach and requires attention to detail, providing an unmatched sense of accomplishment.

Learning from a mistake 📚 or moving on quickly and not dwelling ➡️?

To be a successful doctor, you need to learn from every mistake in order to grow. Forgiving yourself and knowing you did your best allows you to devote your full attention to the next pet in need of care.

Coaching your kid’s youth soccer ⚽ or baseball ⚾?

Baseball is definitely more fun to coach. Seeing the smile on a kid’s face after a big hit is priceless.

Teaching the next generation 🎓 or hands-on casework 🔬?

My position as a Medical Director allows me to work with and mentor so many people. Teaching and then watching a recent graduate or seasoned doctor tackle a new procedure is extremely rewarding.

Build something from scratch 🏗️ or grow something already established🌱?

Starting a hospital from scratch gave us the opportunity to develop a facility aligned with our vision, and one that is constantly evolving. Using previous good and bad experiences to shape a hospital was a blessing.

Traveling somewhere new ✈️ or staying local in Austin 🤠?

Visiting new and exciting places with my family is a passion of mine. We are going to Mexico City soon and I can’t wait.

Shelter medicine 🏥 or private practice 🐾?

Shelter medicine will always hold a special place in my heart, but private practice allows you to form relationships not only with your patients but also with pet parents.

Working with exotic species 🦁 or sticking to cats and dogs 🐕?

Dogs and cats are my jam. I enjoy the diversity of exotic species, but the limitations and fragility of treating them are difficult.

A big win in surgery 🏆 or a heartfelt thank-you from a client 💌?

The sense of accomplishment with a difficult surgery will always win out.

Barbecue 🍖 or Tex-Mex 🌯, Austin edition?

Tex-Mex all the way. I think I could eat it every day.

More about Dr. Shuman:

Dr. Frank Shuman IV grew up in the small town of Orange, nestled along the Louisiana-Texas border. His passion for animal care began early, working at a local mixed-animal veterinary practice that served his close-knit community. That formative experience inspired a lifelong commitment to helping animals.

After high school, Dr. Shuman earned a degree in Biology from the University of Texas, followed by a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.

Upon graduation, he joined the Houston SPCA, where he quickly advanced to the role of Medical Director. There, he treated a wide range of species, including companion animals, farm animals, wildlife, and occasionally large exotic cats. The shelter's high caseload provided extensive experience in both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, as well as critical care management. During this time, Dr. Shuman was featured on Animal Cops Houston on Animal Planet, where he cared for animals that had suffered severe abuse and neglect.

In 2013, Dr. Shuman became an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University, where he founded and led the Shelter Medicine and Animal Welfare rotation for fourth-year veterinary students. Through this program, he trained hundreds of future veterinarians in surgical techniques and cruelty case management.

After five years, Dr. Shuman returned to Austin to establish deeper roots. Over the next decade, he partnered with Dr. Brad Singleton to co-own and operate three animal hospitals, building long-term relationships with clients and their pets through practical, compassionate care. He remains committed to professional growth, completing over 40 hours of advanced continuing education annually, with a focus on soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.

Recognizing a growing need for accessible surgical care in South Austin, Dr. Shuman founded Moontower Veterinary Surgery Center. His mission is to provide advanced surgical services at more affordable prices for Austin's pets and their families.

Dr. Shuman lives in Southwest Austin with his wife, Natalie, their three children and their two dogs, Tucker (15) and Churro (1). Outside of veterinary medicine, he enjoys soccer, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. He's also actively involved in his community, coaching youth baseball and soccer leagues.