PRCTC’s Innovative Vet Science Program Paves the Way for Future Veterinarians, Vet Techs Breaking Ground

By Diane Godwin and Blair Cullum

CTE students at the Pontotoc Ridge Career and Technology Center (PRCTC) are getting an opportunity to blaze their path in veterinary science through PRCTC’s new Diversified Agricultural Veterinary Science class. The highly sought-after class was launched last year for students who decide to pursue the vet science profession after high school. There is a critical shortage of rural veterinarians, and it has reached an all-time high, with 500 counties in 46 states reporting shortfalls of large animal vets.

Clint Young, PRCTC’s agriculture teacher and the Mississippi Association of Agricultural Educators’ state president, realizes that the large animal vet deficit not only poses risks to livestock and farmers but also to the country’s food supply. Young and Patricia Ellison, PRCTC’s CTE director, thought adding a diversified agriculture vet class could help strengthen the pipeline of new rural veterinarians and vet technicians by making students more aware of the profession’s career paths.

“Our basic animal science class was our most popular with 20 to 25 students per class, and a majority of those students wanted us to add another choice,” Young said.

“We added the vet science curriculum immediately because out of those 25 students, a good 50% of them probably had an interest in a career related to vet science.”

Recruiting and retaining recent graduates in rural areas also proves to be difficult because of their lack of familiarity with large animals. PRCTC is doing its part in solving that problem. In the spring of 2023, the students, staff, volunteers and contractors built a barn that is at the heart of their pioneering program. The new barn is designed to house animals for experiential learning and hands-on instruction.

“The biggest obstacle was funding to take care of the building, its infrastructure and getting the animals on campus. Our CTE director, Patricia Ellison, was fantastic at finding and securing the extra funding we needed,” Young said.

“After that hurdle, it was just common sense — in a world of CTE, carpentry has a shop, Ag power has a shop and Health Science has a lab. Agriculture needs a barn for the handson learning experience.”

Hannah Berryman is a 12th grader in the diversified agriculture and vet science class. Her future goal is to become a vet tech.

“I didn’t grow up on a farm, so this class has been fun in teaching me skills about handling farm animals. I have particularly enjoyed learning the triage system and the tools used. I feel this class has helped me gain the skills necessary for my future career in vet tech. My favorite part of the class has been working with the sheep. Working with the sheep has taught me a lot about responsibility in general.”

Currently, the barn is home to five

Dorper ewes, born in March. The ewes are halter-broke for handling, grooming, vaccinations and demonstrations, both on and off campus, allowing students to gain essential skills in animal husbandry and care.

“The students are learning when it is cold, rainy or hot outside, they must go out to that barn. Especially when those animals are greeting them, that is when they realize that the animals’ welfare depends on them,” Ellison said.

“This responsibility instills a sense of duty and discipline that teaches them to balance responsibilities both inside and outside the classroom. This skill is transferable to various aspects of life.”

Gavin Skeen, a 10th-grade student in the class, said, “Working with the sheep has been a fun learning experience and teaches us how to properly care for them. They can be wild sometimes, which has taught me a lot of patience. This class has taught me how to prop- erly maintain and care for livestock, which will help me with my future of being a cattle farmer. My favorite part of the class is rounding up the sheep to feed them.”

The curriculum is designed to cover various aspects of veterinary science and agriculture, including nutrition and feeding of animals, health record keeping and agricultural business practices. Students will be well-prepared for careers in veterinary medicine, animal science and other related fields. Additionally, the program has ambitious plans to add swine, cattle and poultry to its offerings as equip- ment and opportunities arise, ensuring students have a well-rounded education in agriculture.

“This program is a game-changer for our students,” said Ellison. “It brings the farm to the classroom and the classroom to the farm, offering a unique blend of hands-on experience and classroom learning. We’re excited to see how this program will positively impact our students.”

“I have enjoyed the vet science class because it provides me with hands-on experiences that I need to build skills for my future career in vet tech,” said Anna Ellis, an 11th-grade student.

“I came to the career center to do things, and not sit at a desk all day. Working with the sheep can be stressful at times, which has helped to grow my patience when dealing with animals and people,” Ellis said.

In an era where hands-on learning is increasingly essential, the PRCTC’s Veterinary Science program strives for innovation, bringing real-world experience and career readiness to the forefront of agricultural education. With the growth and expansion plans in sight, the PRCTC is nurturing the agricultural leaders of tomorrow while ensuring a brighter future for the industry.