As a presenter for the FIRST academy cadets, the Veterinary Assistant instructor has spoken to all health careers students (EMT, Nurse Aide, and Veterinary Assistant) on ethics in biomedical research.  The lesson includes the difference between personal and professional ethics, the use of animals in biomedical research, religious or cultural beliefs about animals, and a patient’s right to refuse treatment.  The attached artifact is a PowerPoint presentation.  The students learn about medical trials for humans and animals, the function of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the rights of patients in human trials. Topics which often arise include end of life issues and animal euthanasia.

The instructor also presented to the Health Careers students and the School of Technology Students in 2012 on prosthetics manufacture.  The lecture included a report on the first total knee replacement surgery in a cat (Feb. 2012) by doctors at NCSU, where Dr. Marcellin-Little and industrial and systems engineer Dr. Ola Harrysson are pioneering osseointegration (fusing a prosthetic limb with an animal’s (or human’s) bones).  The lesson included a visit from a cat missing a limb due to trauma (with surgical photographs), and a viewing of the film “Dolphin Tales”.

 The Modeling and Simulation instructor and the Veterinary Assistant Instructor are currently planning a joint lesson based on a recent report (November 2013) from the University of Pennsylvania about 3D printing as a futuristic way to prepare for surgeries.  The article states that printing replicas of, in this instance, a dog skull, is useful for veterinary medicine by:

• Enabling surgeons to practice techniques and visualize procedures in advance of the surgery.
• Allowing for design of a "patch" to precisely fit areas of the skull that are removed.
• Enabling surgeons to visualize ways to drill into bone that bypass blood vessels and delicate tissues.

The Modeling and Simulation instructor has a 3D printer which will allow the students enrolled in the M&S program to work with the V.A. students to produce a 3D anatomical model. 

2004—2005 Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year awarded by CTE Advisory Council Suffolk Public Schools.

In addition to using the Smart Board to present lecture material, video, pictures, and to project from the teaching microscope, students are able to access interactive game sites such as http://www.goatbiology.com.  This site uses animations to teach about anatomy, reproduction, parasites, and more.

Students utilize training materials through the Hill’s Veterinary Nutritional Advocate site, VetLearn, and http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com.  dvm360.com is an on-line resource with continuing education for the entire veterinary team, including information on trends in the field. Via weekly emails, students are able to learn about new trends, procedures, and other medical news.

Numerous internet resources are utilized, including veterinary college websites offering educational videos and study aids.