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Theat 易胜博官网鈥檚 Thompson School of Applied Science prepares students for a career working with animals, and with the opening of an on-campus clinic this fall, vet tech students have even more opportunities to apply what they learn. Located in Barton Hall, the clinic features what you would expect in a typical veterinary office: a waiting area, examination and treatment rooms, kennels and digital x-ray machines. By spring 2018, the clinic will also have a completed surgery suite.

鈥淲e wanted to be able to mimic a real-life veterinary practice for students and have them be in an environment like where they would work,鈥� says Sarah Proctor, director of the veterinary technology program and clinical assistant professor.

Students in听the vet tech program already travel to Dover and Somersworth to听assist with听clinics, which provide听those for whom costs might be a barrier with affordable treatement for their pets. Now听the on-campus clinic allows them to help out right here in Durham.

鈥淥ur goal is to serve low-income clients, to make veterinary services more accessible,鈥� says Proctor. 鈥淭he clinic appointments are going great. We started reaching out to residents of the Dover Housing Authority but are working to get more clients and connect with more organizations.鈥�

The clinic provides many services, from basic vaccines and heart tests to ultrasounds and flea and tick treatment. The most common client request is for wellness care, making sure their pets get tests and vaccines, although sick animals can be seen.

鈥淪eeing clients at the clinic has been extremely beneficial for vet tech students,鈥� says Proctor. 鈥淭hey can see the whole process of medical care. It can be intimidating, adding an extra level of pressure working on an animal in front of a client. It is real life, but I think they are doing a great job handling it.鈥�

Vet tech students rotate through different roles, including receptionist, client coordinator and nurse.

Sometimes students treat animals from Dover鈥檚 Cocheco Valley Humane Society, and sometimes they work on their instructor鈥檚 pets.

During a recent clinic, students saw a dog named Caya. After an intake, they got to work cleaning her ears, checking her teeth and taking her temperature and weight.

鈥淔rom working in the clinic we鈥檝e learned leadership skills, how to problem-solve and how to relay information to clients,鈥� says Amber Ganley 鈥�18.

听鈥淚 think it鈥檚 been amazing, very hands-on,鈥� says Olivia Heghmann 鈥�18. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not like you are just sitting in the classroom. You learn about radiography and then you come downstairs and take x-rays on live animals. You get to experience what the work will be like before getting out into the field.鈥澨�

Makenzi Coburn 鈥�18 says,听鈥淚 have gotten a lot of experience dealing with clients and real situations.鈥�

Though the clinic only recently started seeing clients, Proctor has big plans for the space. She hopes to grow the operation and expand its hours and workers to potentially include those in applied animal science, pre-vet and other veterinary-related areas, so more students can get the experience of working in a clinical space and so more clients can be served.

鈥淗aving the clinic and this program for people and pets that need it is wonderful. Helping others is great and very rewarding,鈥� says vet tech instructor Vicki Soletsky.

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