Ciara Benham
Staff Writer
cbenham@murraystate.edu
There are few better ways to spend your day than surrounded bypups and suds, but getting to benefit the Murray State PreVet/Vet Tech Club along the way is the cherry on top.
On Sept. 14, the Murray State Vet Club hosted their annual“Doggie Day Spa” event where community members could bring their furry friends for an affordable variety of services.
“Doggie Day Spa is an event held twice a semester, where thepublic can bring their dogs to be bathed, have their ears cleaned, and have their nails trimmed by students currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program at Carman Pavilion,” Rose Miller president of the Pre-Vet/ Vet Tech Club said. “Along with these services, the Humane Society of Calloway County comes to offer microchipping, DNA testing, and custom collars to the public’s dogs.”
This event directly benefits the Pre Vet/Vet Tech Club by allowing veterinary club students to gain hands-on experience as well as raising money for the club. All of the proceeds for this event go into the club’s fund, where they use the proceeds for future events, update any machinery used for teaching the students and treating sick animals, and take the club members to conferences in Kentucky and surrounding states where they can learn about current changes in veterinary medicine.
“This event has been held for around 20 years, and the students volunteering at the event receive training in restraint and handling, as well as the anatomy of our patients to ensure that the dogs are treated with care,” Miller said.
The event catered to about 200 dogs, and the customers and their owners were left more than happy.
“I am a former Vet student, so I love coming to support this event,” Jamie Shelstad, who brought four dogs to the Doggie Day Spa,
said. “It gives vet students the opportunity to work hands-on and support the community. And they were very calm with the circus I brought with me.”
Shelstad isn’t the only former vet student who frequents this event. Lauren Vaughn, who graduated in May 2019, participates in the spa.
“I come to the Doggie Day Spa, because it helps the students hosting this event,” Vaughn said. “When I was working this event it helped me work on skills that I would use in a vet clinic. It also helps the community in having a cheaper option in order to get their dogs groomed.”
The students who work the event love it as much, if not more than the community. They get to practice their skills but also get to have a great time with the dogs that come through the door.
“Personally, I love getting to see all of the different kinds of patients come through the doors with different personalities and histories, and then seeing the students care for them in their own way,” Miller said. “All these dogs have owners that love them, and their owners are trusting us to treat them with respect and care. It is beautiful to see passionate students treat every dog that comes in.”
The next Doggie Day Spa will be held Nov. 16 and the vet club looks forward to seeing everyone and every dog come out.