[ad_1]
WESTFORD — The partnership between Nashoba Valley Technical High School and Angel Veterinary Medical Center is truly for the birds. And dogs and cats – just about any pet, for that matter.
In the year In 2015, Nashoba Tech added veterinary assistantships to its technical offerings because one of the industries most in need of workers is animal science. Soon after, Angel Veterinary Center opened Angel’s Nashoba Animal Clinic at the school, where juniors and seniors in the veterinary assistance program can gain valuable hands-on experience.
Now, the partnership is starting to pay off as four Nashoba Tech graduates are working for Angel — two at the school clinic and two at Angel Memorial Animal Hospital in Weburn.
“There’s an incredible shortage,” said Dr. Lawrence Sawyer, DVM, director of Angel Medical in Nashoba. “Angel cannot work at full capacity. The doctors have it and they certainly have the interest.
But between the doctors and the needs are the support staff, and this is the most lacking.
That’s where Nashoba Tech’s veterinary assistant program comes in.
Ann Marie Greenleaf, chief operating officer at Angell Veterinary Center, said she is happy to see students graduate, become certified as veterinary technicians and enter the workforce.
“Nashoba Valley Tech students who graduate and start working for the Angel Network are doing very well,” Greenleaf said. “They bring a level of expertise that allows them to blend in well with our existing teams. What they don’t know is that they learn on the job because they are taught by experienced technicians.”
A huge part of the equation is that Angel pays for enrollment in an online program so that qualified students can pursue further education in veterinary science after graduating from high school.
Greenleaf told Angel that students who have worked for six months can submit an essay on how they will use their degree and, if the essay is satisfactory, enroll in the Penn Foster program, which is 100 percent funded by Angel.
“They can work and earn money while pursuing their degree,” Greenleaf said.
In 3-4 years, students earn their associate’s degree, take the exam to become a certified veterinarian, or CVT, and earn a $5,000 bonus. Then, if they choose, they can get their bachelor’s degree paid for again by Angel.
It all starts at Nashoba Tech.
“Having the clinic on site gave students real-world experience interacting with the public and learning how a veterinary clinic works,” said Kate Hawkins, one of Nashoba Tech’s assistant professors of veterinary medicine.
Erin Tormey, a 2019 graduate of Nashoba Tech, is working at Angel in Nashoba with fellow Lowell 2019 graduate Carly Robinson. Meanwhile, 2022 graduates Angelina Herbst of Air and Roselyn Rhodes of Pepperell are completing the Penn Foster Program and working at Angel Veterinary Center.
Tormey earned a degree in veterinary tech from the New England Institute of Technology before the Penn Foster program was offered. While at Nashoba Tech, she worked at Nashoba Clinic in Angel. She is now back at her full-time job.
“They know me, and I’m happy and comfortable with the people who work here,” Tormey said. “I learned a lot from them, and they made me where I am today. It’s like a big family here. They are very encouraging and very motivating. They push me to be more than I think I can be.”
Tormey is exposed to all the work in the animal clinic, including reception, treatment, surgery and anesthesia.
“Surgery is one of my favorite days,” she says of helping today’s seniors at Nashoba Tech get to where they are today.
“Having the clinic in Nashoba allows students to explore what it’s like to work in general practice,” Greenleaf said.
Nashoba Tech Superintendent Dr. Denise Pidgeon said the working relationship between the school and the clinic was envisioned in 2015.
“We are very grateful to have this partnership with Angel and to give students the opportunity to work alongside the staff at the clinic,” Pigeon said. It is a great benefit to our students.
[ad_2]
Source link
