Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center's veterinary science program growing
By IRV OSLINCorrespondent
It's time to put the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center animal and veterinary science program out to pasture.
And that's a good thing.
Instructor Anne Leidigh, who has grown the program from the ground up, is looking to fence an additional 13 acres to accommodate large animals. This would mean a lot for a program that serves a community she described as "large animal-based."
Leidigh knew when she started building the program three years ago that teaching students to work with cattle, horses and other livestock would be a key component. The Career Center had a small fenced-in pasture to work with — an acre or so. Then, the county stepped up and offered to lease about 24 acres north of the small plot for the token sum of $1 a year.
Leidigh wants to use 13 acres of that land for pasture and the remaining 11 to raise hay to feed the livestock.
"I'm trying to get funding, materials, or labor donated to get that front part fenced in," she said, referring to the 13-acre pasture. "I would like to put in permanent fence. Then I'd like some type of a lean-to shelter to get the animals out of the elements."
If that happens, it would be in keeping with her long-term goal. The Career Center hired Leidigh, who grew up on a local dairy farm, to design and teach the animal and veterinary science program. She set out to create a well-rounded, comprehensive program to serve her students, the business and agricultural sectors, and the community.
"I've apologized to my husband, family, and friends because I have spent every waking minute for the past three years building curriculum and trying to make this program the best," she said. "I'm obsessed with being the best for the kids, because I don't want to send them out into the workforce if they're not prepared."
Ashland County Humane Society President Rhonda Hofer said the program can benefit even those who don't choose to work with animals for a living.
"We like the thought of grooming kids for animal careers," she said. "Even if they don't go into that field, it teaches them to be kinder and better-educated animal owners."
The Humane Society is one of several community partners working with the program. The organization lacks a brick and mortar facility — much less pasture — to accommodate animals it rescues so the program houses its animals. That includes livestock, which must be isolated from other animals to prevent the spread of diseases.
The students assist with medical care, helping the veterinarian who comes in twice a month to treat animals and perform surgery.
Leidigh said the arrangement with the Humane Society is a win-win because it provides a wide variety of animals to give the students experience — animals that can be cycled through and not become long-term Career Center residents.
The adoption process also serves as a learning experience.
"It makes placing the animals go smoother," Hofer said. "We end up with healthy, socialized animals. Plus, the students — including ones not in the class and the Career Center staff — are adopting some of these animals. We are adopting animals through the school and that has helped keep our numbers down."
In addition to the Humane Society, Leidigh works with other animal rescues. That includes South Euclid-based Herps Alive Foundation. The Career Center provides temporary housing for a variety of critters from the reptile rescue and rehab organization.
The animal and veterinary science program's mini menagerie includes snakes, iguanas, a tortoise, hedgehogs, birds, fish and other critters. And, of course, there are dogs and cats.
Senior William Flaherty, 17, likes that. He plans to go into zoology. Flaherty makes the hour drive every day from his home in Plymouth to attend classes.
"I've wanted to be a veterinarian since I was little," he said. "I had high hopes for myself in high school, but I wasn't doing well in that setting. So, the guidance counselor pulled me aside and recommended this program. I came for a private tour and fell in love with it. I applied right away and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made."
Ashland resident Katy Griffith, 18, also a senior, enjoys the variety of experiences the program offers.
"I came here because I love to work with animals and my plan has always been to do an animal-related career, whether it was veterinary or not," she said. "It introduced me to animal careers other than veterinary science. It's given me a lot of experience and hands-on learning."
That includes communicating with clients and coworkers and doing paperwork — aspects Leidigh considers important to a well-rounded program.
"In class we went over how to speak on the phone to a client, how to write medication instructions for a client, what kinds of questions to ask in an exam room, so you know exactly what's wrong with a pet, things like that," Griffith said.
After graduation, she plans to study animal nutrition sciences at West Virginia University.
"I would like to work as an animal nutritionist for a company like Purina or Centerra," Griffith said.
Centerra Co-op is among businesses working with the Career Center program, as are area farmers. Charles River Laboratories, which uses animals in its research, has also been a big stakeholder, working closely with Leidigh from the beginning.
"They have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and other items for the program," she said.
Some students have gone on to work at Charles River.
"They like my graduates because they're well-trained," Leidigh said.
Teresa Gleason, manager of infusion toxicology at Charles River, agreed. She serves on the advisory board for the Career Center program.
"The relationship has worked very well for Charles River," Gleason said in an email. "The students come in with animal handling skills, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and have training in many of the functions needed for their roles here. They are also aware of the importance of the work they will be doing and how it will benefit the lives of both humans and animals. The students have a strong desire to do well and succeed."
The relationship helps address a common problem — finding enough qualified employees in a strong job market.
Developing and teaching the animal and veterinary science program has been a learning experience for Leidigh as well. Prior to developing the program, she hadn't taught in a classroom setting. She earned her bachelor's degree in animal science from Ohio State University and veterinarian technician degree from Kent State University. She worked 11 years at a veterinary clinic in Berlin and continues to work there "very part time."
"It's good for me to keep my hands dirty and keep up to date so I can teach my kids up-to-date stuff," Leidigh said.
The Career Center program helped her grow as well.
"The hardest adjustment for me was realizing that they're kids and not adults," she said. "There is going to be a little immaturity, there's going to be a learning curve. I'm more patient, more understanding. It's the best thing ever when you see the light bulb go off and it clicks. I do this for those 'light bulb moments.' That's my favorite thing in the whole wide world."
More details/How to help
The Ashland County West Holmes Career Center animal and veterinary science program is in its third year.
The two-year curriculum includes five classes: anatomy and physiology, companion animal health and nutrition, business management, veterinary science, and livestock science.
There are 27 juniors and 28 seniors enrolled in the program. They are based at associate schools: Ashland, Hillsdale, Loudonville-Perrysville, Mapleton and West Holmes. Open enrollment students have come from Northwestern, Plymouth, Crestview, Clear Fork and Black River.
Contributions for the pasture fence or lean-to can be made by specifying the purpose of the donation to Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center Treasurer Julie Smith, smithj@acwhcc.org or 419 289-3313, ext. 2211.
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