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Veterinary students spend day at local shelter volunteering

UF veterinary medical students built a treat station for animals during a day of volunteer work at Alachua County Animal Services on Feb. 5. From left to right are Corinne Thompson (’18), Maxie Bowen (’18), and Emily Menzen (’17).

Members of the University of Florida’s Shelter Medicine Club joined Alpha Psi fraternity members and others for a full day of volunteer work on Feb. 5 at Alachua County Animal Services.

The group helped with physicals and intake examinations, performed nail trims and ear cleanings on all adoptable dogs, conducted ‘personality’ evaluations for several dogs and cats, put together a treat station and did lots more, according to Corinne Thompson, a second-year UF veterinary medical student who also serves as co-event coordinator for the Shelter Medicine Club.

“Together with the veterinary fraternity Alpha Psi, our club, along with more than 30 veterinary students and preveterinary students, spent the day volunteering and accomplished so much,” Thompson said.

The group also microchipped 15 dogs and cats, deep-cleaned the surgery suite and cat holding area and stuffed “about a million Kong toys,” Thompson said.

She said the club will be starting a new program at the shelter called “Meet Your Match,” which is a behavioral evaluation for dogs and cats created by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help prospective new pet owners find the animals best suited to them.

“The shelter staff was so grateful to have us there, and many vet students can’t wait to go back to help out,” Thompson said. “We are excited to be making a difference in a place that really could use our help.”