Abbey Bierman, a second year veterinary student and member of Cornell’s Shelter Medicine Club, is grateful for the learning experience she received with Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cortland County SPCA. The Cornell Shelter Medicine club responded to a significant need at Cortland County SPCA, which currently does not have a full-time veterinary staff. The collaboration was a win-win for both parties.
Bierman’s experience with Cortland County SPCA has only strengthened her interest for shelter medicine and Bierman says she would definitely be interested in pursuing it as a career.
This past year, the Shelter Medicine Club was able to set up clinics about once or twice a month at the Cortland County SPCA. We had an amazing time working with the shelter staff and shelter animals! After a year of having classes mostly online, it was a great opportunity to get to know other vet students as well. My favorite was working with many of the neonatal kittens–I loved helping to get them ready to go to foster homes. Many students were able to practice drawing blood and administering vaccines as well. Overall, I’m so grateful for the amazing staff at Cortland County SPCA, as well as Drs. DeTar and Henry, and the shelter medicine interns, Drs. Pow and Lopez Goicochea, for a wonderful experience.
Cortland County SPCA is currently looking for people who are interested in fostering. To find out ways you could become a foster or to get involved, visit: https://cortlandspca.org/foster
