For the Love of Animals

“Did you know that cats have mini-spikes on their tongues? It helps with their grooming,” explains Jamie when asked what she has learned at Towne Square Animal Hospital. Jamie loves animals and is a “proud mama” of five cats. She did some volunteer work with a local animal shelter but things were not going well. Direct Support Professional, Kelsey Arnett, started researching other options that better supported Jamie’s passion. Thanks to Towne Square Animal Hospital, and veterinarian Dr. Damon Cecil, DVM, Jamie received the opportunity to hang out and watch what goes on behind the scenes of an animal hospital.

For six weeks, Jamie visited the animal hospital every Thursday for two hours. She loved every minute of it. “We watched a hip joint replacement on a dog, another one get spayed, even dental work on a cat.  Oh, and we played with the puppies, they are so cute!” Kelsey adds, “It is tight quarters in the work area, so we were like flies on a wall. All the staff and vet techs were wonderful, and willing to answer Jamie’s questions.”

More importantly, Jamie learned that there is more to pet ownership than petting and loving on dogs and cats. “She better understands the responsibility of being a pet owner, what is required to take care of them. Jamie took the information she learned and is applying it at home with her own cats.” In mid-August, Jamie will spend time at Towne Square Pet Resort where she will learn about grooming, and help staff care for its boarding clients. Jamie, and Wendell Foster’s Campus and its Michele P program, are grateful to Dr. Cecil for giving her the chance to learn more about what a vet does. “He’s the nicest vet I’ve ever met.”