With the Prospector previously providing a primer on the various clubs operating on campus, we decided to highlight another such organization: The Veterinary Technology Student Club. I recently had a chance to conduct an online interview with Bonnie Loghry, R.V.T., and she was able to shed some light on the club and their mission.
What is it you do for the Veterinary Technology Student Club? Are you purely management, oversight, or some other function?
“Dr. Haskell is the Faculty advisor for the VT student club; our club is also a student chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America and I, as a licensed RVT am the advisor of that segment of our activities. We were voted the NAVTA Student Chapter of the Year for 2008.”
From the club web page, it says that the Veterinary Technology Student Club “aids in the pursuit of quality veterinary education and opportunities,” but how does the club go about doing this?
“The VT student club raises money to purchase veterinary technology textbooks to donate to the college library, and has also donated money for the purchase of a bulletin board outside the Vet Tech facility to advertise the career. Club members come together for work days to install and maintain the large animal holding pens and yard. These are wonderful bonding experiences for the students that enable them to take pride and ownership in their Vet Tech facility.
“The VT Club members also visit the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital each Fall to learn about job opportunities for prospective veterinary technician. Additionally, in past years the students have also put together trips to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and Zoo. These trips show students that there are many career paths for the veterinary technician other than the small animal veterinary hospital.”
The club web page also says the Veterinary Technology Student Club supports the Yuba College Veterinary Technology Program within the college and the community. Would you mind shedding some light as to what sorts of activities the club lends its support?
“When the re-model of the 800 Building was complete there was no money left to landscape the area outside the division office. One of the instructors donated the plants and our Vet Tech students volunteered their labor to dig all the holes so these plants could be put in. The area looks quite nice now.
“The Club performs outreach by speaking about the career of the veterinary technician to local schools and community groups. The Club works vaccination clinics put on by the North Valley Veterinary Medical Association each year.
“The most focused effort that our Club makes is in the fundraising for Heifer Project International. Heifer Project is an organization that assists poor people worldwide by giving them the gift of an animal and the training to properly care and raise it. This animal, be it sheep, goat, duck, chicken or even a hive of bees, contribute to the family by providing them an income by selling eggs, honey or wool. More information about Heifer can be obtained by viewing their website at www.heifer.org
I am so proud to say that in three years the Yuba College Veterinary Technology Club has raised close to $8000 for this organization, all through student effort.”
Can you describe, say, an average meeting of the Veterinary Technology Student Club? What issues you might be currently going through, and whether you have any events coming up you mind find it helpful to advertise?
“The average meeting of the VT Student Club covers our standard topics of fund raising and outreach to the local schools. The students then discuss items or services the VT Program might need and arranges dates for work days for any of these activities.”
With the threat of budget cuts looming over our heads, do you think the Veterinary Technology Student Club will be significantly affected if it finds itself with fewer funds than before?
“The Veterinary Technology Student Club has never relied upon College funding. The Club is a strong supporter of the efforts of Campus Life and our students try to participate in the activities sponsored through this department. The students enjoy working bake sales and holding raffles during events such as the upcoming Harvest Festival. The students donate baked goods and items to raffle.”
The VT club is currently starting their fall fund raising event for Heifer Project. Should anyone want to know more about this worthwhile organization please contact the Vet Tech program at www.vettech.edu
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