by: Olivia Esposito, Vet Assistant senior

What is Tails of Hope? Tails of Hope is a spay & neuter clinic that puts an extra focus on low-cost spay and neuter surgeries to help with overpopulation and neglect in our local area.

Located in Hermitage, PA, the O’Brien family has overseen its operation since 2011. The vision is to “ensure the well-being of companion animals” and strives to “eliminate neglect, abuse and suffering” in animals by their efforts to improve the animals’ quality of life.

This year, 3rd-year students from LCCTC’s Veterinary Assistant shop gave of their time and talents to assist the clinic in their mission. Students got the challenge of working side by side with the main veterinarian, Dr. Grable, and head veterinary technician, Bonnie Kerlek.

Students worked to monitor patients under anesthesia by taking regular heart rates as well as the anesthesia machine following the doctor and technician’s guidance. Surgical prep room is filled with fast-paced and quick thinking skills while patients are anesthetized, surgically shaved, and given vaccinations and administered pain meds. Ear cleanings and toenail trims round out the final tasks. The patients are then transported to the surgical suite where they are positioned and scrubbed for the surgery to begin. Post-operative the patients’ vitals are monitored, take home medications are verified, and then safely returned to their home carriers to continue to recover prior to discharge.

With the high volume of surgeries being completed in a day and each surgery receiving their own sterilized surgical pack, there are a mound of surgical instruments that need to be scrubbed, organized, packed, and sterilized in the autoclave. This is another demanding job for the LCCTC student Veterinary Assistants.

The Tails of Hope clinic is important to the community because it helps to minimize overpopulation of dogs and cats. For LCCTC’s VA students, it provides a hands-on, day-to-day experience in a clinic which allows them to apply their skills that they have learned through videos and lectures in the shop. The lessons learned during their visits allow them to master skills prior to employment, making them job ready upon graduation. They are given plenty of opportunity to ask questions and get realistic real-life answers — while still demanding professionalism and integrity as well as understanding that they are working on someone's precious pet.

One of the biggest lessons learned during Tails of Hope outings? The importance of teamwork. During their time at the clinic, moments are stressful, but as a team, it’s a safe feeling to know they have backup support from a trained Veterinary Assistant -- who is still a student at LCCTC.