Vet training program aims to reduce stray populations through spay and neuter services
PHOTO COURTESY PALM VALLEY ANIMAL SOCIETY
A new $384,000 grant is set to expand access to spay and neuter services in the Rio Grande Valley through a veterinary training program that brings together Be. Spay/Neuter Consulting, Palm Valley Animal Society and Donna North High School.
The grant was donated to Be. Spay/Neuter Consulting from Maddie’s Fund, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield, “committed to creating a safety net of care for animals in need,” according to the fund’s website.
Elsa Kohlbus, founder and executive director of Be., said the training program will be divided into two parts.
“First, we are going to be working with veterinarians in the Rio Grande Valley and nearby parts of Texas,” Kohlbus said. “The second part is that we’re going to be training students at Donna North High School as technicians and veterinary assistants.”
She added Be. Spay/Neuter Consulting decided to bring this program to the Valley because of the need.
“It is one of the highest places in need in the country for these kinds of services, so it really made sense for us to try and bring it here,” Kohlbus said.
She said the main idea of the program is to increase the local capacity of spay and neuter to help serve the community.
The grant will pay to bring the “highly experienced veterinarians” to do hands-on training with staff, veterinarians and students in the Valley, according to Kohlbus.
She added the first couple of veterinary trainings will take place from May 18 to 20 and June 19 to 21. Further dates will be announced later. Interested veterinarians can email info@bespayneuter.org.
Suzette Cruz, executive director at Palm Valley Animal Society, said the collaboration came from a previous meeting between her and Kohlbus during a local conference.
“They’re all professional and experienced in the field, but they just were starting out their own company,” Cruz said. “They were willing to help [at Palm Valley] with clinics to offer the services.”
She said, after a few months, Kohlbus reached out to her with the idea, a “no-brainer.”
Cruz added Palm Valley Animal Society will be in charge of providing their facility and animals for the training program.
“The facility will be used for training purposes, and the animals that are going to be used during these trainings will be from here too,” she said.
Cruz added the training program will be at no cost for participating veterinarians because they will be helping the shelter with the procedures at the facility.
“We have a lot of animals that need the surgery, so it benefits the shelter and it benefits the animals,” she said. “We see up to 10,000 animals a year and about 60-70% of them are not altered.”
Cruz added the addition of Donna North High School into the training program will give students the tools they need to learn.
“We definitely need a lot more veterinarians,” she said. “… There is a shortage, so I think it gives them the tools and the stepping stones to pursue that as a career.”
Amanda Cedillo, a veterinary science teacher at Donna North High School, said she wants her students to learn to spay and neuter by actively serving.
“We saw firsthand that it’s overwhelming: the need for affordable spay and neuter, and prevention services in the Rio Grande Valley,” Cedillo said. “We really wanted our students to be part of it and be part of the solution.”
Cedillo said students will not only observe in the training but will have first-hand experience. She added shadowing hours will be given to students for their Certified Veterinary Assistant Level I certification during the training.
“It focuses on patient intake, wellness exams, assisting with procedures, anesthesia monitoring and recovery, all under the guidance of the veterinary professionals,” she said.
Cedillo added the program will create a pathway for students after high school.
“This is going to open them for career exploration, advancement and building their confidence,” she said. “… It’s going to set them apart when they go to college or if they go get a career.”
