MONTAGUE – While certification for the new animal/veterinary science program is awaiting approval from the state, Franklin County Technical School is taking steps to get the program on its feet to accept incoming freshman this fall.
Dr. Sherry Holt, who has veterinary practices on Nantucket and in Middlefield, has been hired as the program’s first instructor. Holt received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tufts University and has been practicing since 1997.
She is working on creating the curriculum and is looking forward to putting her own stamp on the program.
Holt said she wanted to pass on her knowledge and has mentored high school age children before.
“When I saw the ad I thought, ‘This is the perfect next step for me,’” Holt said. ” I’ve mentored kids before, many of which were in high school in Nantucket. It’s very rewarding.”
She said she has plans for field trips and potential bring-your-pet-to-school day with the help of parents to be able to perform physicals on pets.
“It will be great for the students, they’ll be well rounded and cross-trained,” Holt said. “This will give them an edge in the industry.”
Superintendent Richard J. Martin said the animal/veterinary science program will welcome incoming freshman. Other classes from sophomores to seniors will be phased in over the following three years until a full program will be running by the 2022 to 2023 school year.
Martin said the Tech School will now be back to having 13 programs like it traditionally has offered.
“This program fills a need in Franklin County, where there isn’t a high school offering a program of this kind,” Martin said. “There are a lot of family farmers in this county versus other parts of the state and in turn, there is a huge need compared to these in more urban areas.”
Franklin County Tech is going to build an in-house veterinary clinic in two current classrooms in the building for the fall. Martin said the work will begin in the summer and take about three weeks to complete. The long-term plan is to build a separate building to house the clinic.
“The classrooms are side by side and one is going to be left as is, it will serve as the learning/academic area and the other is going to need to be completely revamped,” Martin said. “Our goal is to be able to build a standalone clinic that will support a multi-grade level program.”
The school is also pursuing grant money to help fund the purchase of equipment.
Graduates from the program will qualify to become an Approved Veterinary Assistant as well as other opportunities.
“Graduates of the program will be prepared for both college and a career in veterinary sciences,” according to a press release from the school. “The field of veterinary care is broad and a number of career paths are available for high school and college graduates, including veterinary technicians, surgical technologists, shelter care and medicine, groomers, administrative support in clinics and hospitals.”
Martin said the Animal/Veterinary Science program will fill a need in Franklin County. He said surveys taken months ago by local businesses, colleges, and students overwhelmingly supported the establishment of the program.
“There’s been a lot of behind the scenes support, including the creation of an ad hoc committee,” Martin said. “This is really exciting and progress is happening quickly. It will continue to be exciting for the next several years, too.”
Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ext. 263.