The FCS Financial Rural Community and Agriculture Foundation recently granted $10,617 to Moberly Area Community College (MACC) in Mexico, MO, to purchase two handheld ultrasound machines and computer tablets for their new veterinary technology program.
Veterinary technology students learn nursing care aspects for small animals, large animals, laboratory animals, and exotics. To facilitate hands-on live animal training, MACC is renovating space to include small and large animal treatment areas where the easy-to-carry, handheld ultrasound units will provide imaging capabilities for both small and large animal species. In addition, MACC has partnerships with the Mexico Animal Shelter and Sydenstricker Genetics to provide the animals with preventative health care, spays and neuters, and dental cleanings. The first class of students were admitted in August and they will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology.
“This program prepares students to become Registered Veterinary Technicians,” Stephanie Gilliam, Director of Veterinary Technology at MACC, says. “Currently there are not any veterinary technology programs in the area making it difficult for mid-Missouri veterinarians to find well-trained technicians. Veterinarians will now have access to registered veterinary technicians for diagnostics and nursing care, therefore freeing up their time to see more clients.”
The FCS Financial Rural Community and Agriculture Foundation represents the cooperative’s long-term commitment to a thriving and prosperous agricultural industry and our rural communities. The Foundation focuses on targeted, long-term investments.
“Veterinarians and veterinarian technicians are essential to our industry,” says David Janish, FCS Financial CEO. “The new program offered by MACC in Mexico will benefit many farming operations in mid-Missouri. To do that, it is important the students have the equipment they need to learn valuable skills.”
Additional information and an application are available here.
