Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare Graduates First Class
It was a momentous day for the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare, as the first class of Veterinary Assistants graduated on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
The college, an independent post-secondary institution, is one of the spaces where the Nova Scotia SPCA is working to meet the needs of animals, families, and the veterinary medicine sector.
“We had three goals when we began planning for the College,” says Elizabeth Murphy, President of the college and CEO of the Nova Scotia SPCA.
“First, we wanted to meet the needs of veterinary hospitals and shelters, which are seeing gaps in qualified employees. Our second goal was to create a fulsome program.
Veterinary Assistants help with the front and back of the house, so the curriculum had to cover both. Finally, we wanted to provide our students with an extraordinary educational opportunity, from instructors to class sizes, to the environment in which our students would learn best.”
Student Madison Crotty knew after volunteering with animals, that this was a career for her. “I saw that it takes a special person to work with animals and I could do it. When I heard about the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare I had to apply, because I know that the SPCA provides the best care.”
Over the year, students took a variety of classes from animal care and handling to business administration and customer service. The learning wasn’t just in the classroom though.
“We did several trips over the year to see Veterinary Assistants working in the field,”
says Associate Director of Veterinary Education Programs, Jen Welshman. “What is unique about the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare is the hands-on learning that students receive within the organization itself.
Students are able to work with veterinary medicine teams at the SPCA Dartmouth Shelter, and the SPCA Veterinary Hospital, both within steps from the college.”
All eight students received job offers before their graduation. Many will continue to work within the SPCA. The college has applications open for the next class of Veterinary Assistants beginning in September.
In 2023, the Nova Scotia SPCA plans to grow the college by adding a veterinary technician program.
Please join us in giving a big round of a-paws to:
