Trocaire College and SPCA Serving Erie County Form Partnership
Students and Faculty Will Provide Shelter Animals With Needed Procedures
Trocaire College announced a new partnership between its veterinary sciences department and the SPCA Serving Erie County. Once completed, the new surgical suite at the Trocaire Transit Road campus will be utilized to provide basic surgeries and services like spay and neutering for shelter pets. Students under faculty direction will get real world experience and lessen the surgical population at the SPCA’s Gacioch Teaching Hospital and Infirmary.
“Trocaire is pleased to partner with the SPCA Serving Erie County. The vet tech program at Trocaire is designed to provide students the fundamental education needed to hit the ground running in a career assisting veterinarians in their daily routines. We want to offer real world situations, so students are experienced and calm under pressure,” said Trocaire College Dean of Veterinary Sciences Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald. “Our partnership with the SPCA is a win-win for all. Trocaire students will perform needed procedures on shelter pets while learning the essentials of the operating room.”
Trocaire’s new veterinary sciences department includes all the amenities needed for the care of small animals, including various animal wards, a surgery suite and prep room, dental procedures lab, radiology, and several teaching laboratories.
“This partnership is a testament to the commitment of both the SPCA and Trocaire College to the well-being of animals in our community,” said SPCA President and CEO Caitlin Daly. “We are grateful to Trocaire for their willingness to open their doors to our animals and to provide their students with this unique learning opportunity!”
“We are excited to work with Trocaire students and faculty. We believe that this partnership will provide our students with valuable experience that will prepare them for successful careers in veterinary medicine,” added SPCA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allison Kean. “It will also help us to place more animals in loving homes.”
Once Trocaire has completed the medical procedure, the animal will be transferred back to the SPCA where they will be placed up for adoption as soon as possible.
About the SPCA Serving Erie County
Since 1867, the SPCA Serving Erie County has been a champion for Erie County’s animals, providing care, compassion, and shelter to those in need. As a non-profit animal welfare organization, we offer a variety of services to both animals and pet owners, including finding homes for pets through our adoption program, investigating and prosecuting cases of animal abuse and neglect, rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals, educating the community about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, and our Lipsey Veterinary Clinic offers affordable veterinary care for owned pets.