Veterinary Technology
PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Student Newsletter
Greetings, and welcome to our first student
produced Veterinary Technology Newsletter.
With good reason, the Veterinary Technician
students are proud of what they have
accomplished here. All photos and articles
are student generated. We hope you enjoy
this first student publication and we hope
you will let us know what you think of it.
Look for a new student created newsletter
each quarter.
Lynn Russell, CVT
“My favorite experience
to date in the COCC vet
tech program has been
the necropsy of the owl.
Dr. Cooney allowed
us to look and analyze
the radiographs and
explained to us what a necropsy entails.
The necropsy was a really great hands on
experience that allowed us to really put
to use the textbook information that we
have been learning in class. Looking at the
radiograph, identifying the organs and
understanding the directional terms was a
really helpful in putting terms into real life
experiences, I have loved every moment of
the vet tech program so far.”
—Katie Wendel
Produced by Vet Tech students, Winter 2013
Winter Term Through the
Students’ Eyes
by Sarah Dubler, Deidre Coen and Jocelyn Duncan
As the veterinary technician class
of 2014, we will be the first class
to graduate from Central Oregon
Community College. Since the
beginning of this program in
January 2013, we have learned a
whole new language of veterinary
terminology, animal anatomy
and physiology, and procedures
in the office, as well as a basic
knowledge of what being a veterinary technician will
entail after graduation.
The opportunities available to
us in this program have been
phenomenal. We got hands on
experience on how to use Avimark,
a common veterinary computer
program. As a class, we were
also involved in bandaging up an
injured hawk and owl. Some of the students also were
fortunate to witness a necropsy on Bend’s famous
Drake Park owl. We have attended a number of
presentations around Bend and are hoping to attend
a conference at Oregon State University in Corvallis
within the next year. There have been several students
that are volunteering their own time at shelters around
the Bend and Redmond area.
continued on page 2
Students’ Eyes, continued
Feeding Your Pet a HomeCooked Diet
by Jocelyn Duncan
Homemade diets are quickly becoming a
popular trend within the companion animal
owning community. It is easy to understand
this, considering the recalls on commercial
food and the uncertainty of where their food
originates.
Whether it is these concerns, a health
condition, or a desired vegetarian diet
turning people away from a commercially
produced product, the risks are the same.
The fact is: it can be very difficult to achieve
a wholly balanced and nutritious diet to fit
the individual needs of all animals. However,
that is not saying it cannot be done.
It is imperative that pet food recipe
ingredients come from a reputable
source, and include all five food groups:
carbohydrates, protein, fat, and the
correct minerals and vitamins. The
carbohydrate:protein ratio differs species to
species and should be researched for your
individual pet’s needs.
For example, dogs require that the finished
product contain a minimum of 25% to 30%
skeletal muscle; innards and gristle are not
recommended. Calcium deficiency can be a
common problem with the homemade diet.
Most recently, we took a field trip to the Brightside
Animal Center in Redmond. We got the chance to
watch an animal behavior specialist teach us about
handling unknown dogs. The field trip allowed us to
learn with hands on experience, and as a class we
are looking forward to more field trips in the coming
classes.
As students we have high expectations of ourselves
and are all very excited for the future. We are thankful
this program was created in an area as great as Bend
by such experienced and dedicated teachers.
“My favorite experience during this term would have
to be when I first met Dr. Cooney. He was so funny and
entertaining, which I believe, gives us students a little
bit of a stress reliever. It was also awesome to learn
that he is kind of “famous” since he saved a bald eagle
from dying. It was amazing to hear his story on the
first day of class. I look forward to more classes with
Dr. Cooney.”
—Darlyne Sproul
“One of the most interesting learning
experiences was when we learned
from a behaviorist how to assess the
behavior of a dog.”
—Jocelyn Duncan
All meat must be cooked thoroughly, and if
using a lean meat, additional fat will need to
be added. An over-the-counter multivitamin
would be helpful in insuring the animal gets
all the necessary nutrients, and a good
source of calcium should always be included.
Lastly, the food prepared needs to be stored
and presented properly. If not cooked
daily, food will need to be stored in airtight
containers in the fridge or freezer Keep
refrigerated foods no longer than three to
seven days. Consult with your veterinarian
on calorie control and balanced nutritional
content for your unique companion animal.
This is important because it is very easy for
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COCC VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
WINTER TERM 2013
Home-Cooked Diet, continued
a pet to become overweight while being fed
a homemade diet.
Animals eating a home cooked diet should
get checked by their veterinarian two to
three times a year. The doctor will want to
check body weight, body condition, activity
level, and examine the coat and nails. The
veterinarian will also want to analyze blood
and urine as well; this will ensure that the
animal is maintaining healthy nutritional
levels.
“I have had a great experience in the
Veterinary Technician program so far.
The teachers are new and have been very
educational and flexible to our needs. I
feel very lucky to be in this program and
I believe that it will be a very successful
program and a great asset to COCC’s
future.”
—Deidre Coen
“My favorite experience so far in the Veterinary
Technician program is our field trip to Redmond
Humane Society. We got to be hands on with the
animals and put what we have learned into action.”
—Andrea Green
Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way
Bend, Oregon 97701
www.cocc.edu
♿
In advance of College events, persons needing accommodation
or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability,
contact Joe Viola: 541.383.7775. For accommodation because of
other disability such as hearing impairment, contact Annie Walker:
541.383.7743.
COCC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
WINTER TERM 2013
COCC VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM NEWSLETTER 3