The $150,000 grant will help the program acquire equipment to support small and large veterinary technology education and workforce competency.
Morehead State University’s veterinary technology program has received a $150,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to acquire equipment to support small and large veterinary technology education and workforce competency. The equipment will enhance the hands-on training students will receive during the veterinary technology education and better prepare them for the region’s workforce.
According to an article on Morehead State University’s website, Dr. Shannon Harr, who serves as the director of the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, was quoted as saying of the funding, "Equipment purchased with these funds will better equip our program with the technology needed to provide optimal care for our patients, while providing state-of-the-art training for our students. In turn, veterinary patients in our service region receive superior care, while MSU vet tech graduates working in clinics across our service region are familiar with the latest technology in these practices."
Among the planned equipment purchases are a companion animal laser unit, endoscopic equipment, and a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) centrifuge. These machines and similar modern veterinary equipment are what are currently used in veterinary offices and will provide students with the opportunity to become proficient in their usage before entering the workforce, which, according to Dr. Amy Staton, the director of the veterinary technology program, is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Dr. Staton said, "In addition to gaining exposure to this equipment, students will also have the opportunity to earn certifications in its use, further strengthening their skills and career readiness upon graduation.”
She said Dr. Ahmad Zagari, the dean of the College of Science & Engineering, and Dr. Kenneth Andries, the Chair for the Department of Agricultural Sciences, told the veterinary technology department about the grant opportunity.
Dr. Staton said of the grant, "I immediately recognized its strong alignment with our program's needs and goals. Our faculty are genuinely excited and grateful to have secured this funding, which will allow us to further enhance the educational experiences and training opportunities we provide to our students."
She went on to say of the type of education students are earning in the university’s veterinary technology programs, "This level of preparation is a key reason we remain one of the top programs in the nation. By ensuring students have access to current technologies and hands-on experience, we are equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to thrive in modern veterinary medicine."
The university offers Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in veterinary technology. The programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).
For more information about Morehead State University, visit the school’s website.