Summer/Fall 2013 PDF - University of Minnesota College of ...

COMMUNITY SERVICE
VeTouch…
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University, two or three pre-veterinary
students from the University of Minnesota
and the University of Wisconsin-River
Falls, and several veterinary technicians
and community volunteers.
Student volunteers provide free
wellness exams, distemper and rabies
vaccinations, diagnosis and treatment of
parasitic diseases, education on zoonotic
diseases, behavior education, nutritional
support, and referral for more involved
veterinary care. For spaying and neutering
procedures, clients are referred to Kindest
Cut, a service supported by the Animal
Humane Society. Volunteer veterinarians
assist students by confirming diagnostic
plans, approving treatments, and providing
mentorship.
Pets are cared for at
monthly VeTouch clinics.
Photos by Sue Kirchoff and Nikko Poulos
By the time the clinic closes its doors at
around 7 p.m., VeTouch has provided care
for an average of 40-45 pets from about 30
families. At one especially busy clinic, a
record number of 64 pets were examined.
Since 2008, VeTouch has performed more
than 1,000 exams.
In 2011, a volunteer’s efforts resulted in
a donation to VeTouch from Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of Minnesota as part of
the Blue Cross Dollars for Doers program,
which awards $250 to eligible nonprofit
organizations for which a Blue Cross
employee volunteers 40 hours or more per
calendar year. The Blue Cross employee
was Denise Abel, wife of then veterinary
student Greg Closter. Abel donated more
than 40 hours to VeTouch as a clinical
intake specialist, assisting clients with
paperwork, supplies, and other needs.
VeTouch faculty and students also share
their knowledge with the veterinary
community. At the 2013 Minnesota
Veterinary Medical Association Annual
Meeting, they made a presentation about
VeTouch and led a panel discussion about
how the veterinary profession can provide
care to pets whose owners can’t afford the
cost of care.
In addition to bringing veterinary care
to pets who might otherwise not receive
Award winner
Dr. Sara Losinski, class of
2013, received a University
of Minnesota President’s
Student Leadership and
Service Award for her work
with SIRVS and VeTouch. See
page 33.
12 Profiles Summer/Fall 2013