MSCPA-Angell Animal Medical Center and Nashoba Valley Technical High School officially opened a new veterinary clinic on Tuesday as both groups look for a space that will provide veterinary services for local residents and a way to train future veterinarians.
veterinary clinic at Nashoba Valley Technical High School are Dr. Ann
Marie Greenleaf, left, chief of staff at Angell Animal Medical Center,
and Nashoba Tech Superintendent Judith Klimkiewicz, as officials and
students in Nashoba Tech’s Veterinary Assisting program, look on. To
the right of Klimkiewicz is state Sen. Eileen Donoghue. The clinic, a
partnership between Nashoba Tech and Angell Animal Medical Center, is
open to pet owners who qualify financially. It is staffed by an Angell
veterinarian and veterinary technician. (courtesy Dan Phelps)
Only freshmen and sophomores are being accepted in the school’s new Veterinary Assisting program this year, with just under two dozen doing so.
The facility, which is modeled after the partnership between the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine and Worcester Technical High School, seeks to provide new options for students at Nashoba Tech.
Students will be led on site by staff members Dr. Laurence Sawyer and veterinary technician Lisa Quinones as well as teacher Betsy Hensley, who brings more than 20 years of veterinary experience to the clinic.
“They did a fantastic job building (the clinic),” said Sawyer. “When I was interviewing for the position, it was a big warehouse-type space, so it was hard to envision it. But it’s phenomenal and it will be a great teaching tool for the students here at Nashoba Tech.”
The facility is taking the place of the now defunct upholstery program, located in the back of the school adjacent to the school’s baseball fields.
To qualify for use of the clinic, residents must present a photo ID and one of the following.
– Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program card.
– Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) card.
– Food Stamps/Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
– Spay and Neuter Assistance Program certificate.
– Proof that the client resides in public/subsidized housing.
