Johnson College

The Animal Care Center at Johnson College is currently accepting applications for Spay Day 2012, which will take place on Thursday, March 8, 2012. This will be the eighth year that Johnson College has celebrated Spay Day in order to help control pet overpopulation.

This one-day only clinic offers discounted spaying and neutering services for dogs and cats. Only residents of Lackawanna County with an income of less than $25,000 annually are invited to apply.

The deadline for filing applications is February 20, 2012 and will be strictly adhered to. Applications can be obtained here, by calling 570-702-8961, or by stopping by the Animal Care Center on Johnson College’s campus at 3427 North Main Avenue, Scranton. Incomplete applications or those submitted without verification of income will not be considered. Submitting an application does not guarantee that your animal will be accepted. Please no phone calls to check on the status of applications; Animal Care Center personnel will call eligible applicants to set up an appointment time.

For more information on Spay Day 2012, please contact the Animal Care Center at Johnson College by calling 570-702-8961.

Johnson College student Caitlin Sampson ’12, of Lakewood, volunteers during Spay Day 2011.

In October, Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Department awarded an Outstanding Veterinary Nursing Award to Danielle Krawcheck Simmons ’00.

The Outstanding Veterinary Nursing Award was presented in recognition of National Veterinary Technician Week, which took place from October 9th – 15th, 2011. Each year, National Veterinary Technician Week sets out to honor and raise awareness about the importance of veterinary technicians. As members of the veterinary healthcare team, veterinary technicians are educated in the latest medical advances and skilled at working alongside veterinarians to give pets the best medical care possible.

Ms. Simmons, who currently works at Abington Veterinary Center, was chosen to receive this honor because she demonstrates advanced nursing skills, displays leadership in the field, and is dedicated to the advancement of Veterinary Technology.

Rosemary Cook, CVT, Ph.D., Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson, stated, “Danielle has been instrumental in helping educate and promote veterinary technicians. I consider it an honor to know her and to have had the ability to work with her.”

Ms. Simmons was invited to speak to the College’s Veterinary Technology students upon receiving the award and answered many questions about work in the field.

“I’m so honored to receive this recognition and hope I inspire others to excel in their future Veterinary Technology careers,” Ms. Simmons shared.

To learn more about Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program, please visit www.johnson.edu or call 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From left to right: Kurt Noll ’12, Veterinary Technology, Ashley; Kendra Lapsansky ‘97, BS, CVT, Johnson College Veterinary Technology Program Instructor; Danielle Krawcheck Simmons ’00, Abington Veterinary Center; Rosemary Cook, CVT, Ph.D., Johnson College Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson; Natalia Billings ’12, Veterinary Technology, Clarks Summit

In March, Pfizer Animal Health held a Veterinary Technology Continuing Education Seminar at Johnson College.

Pfizer Animal Health is a business unit of the research-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer and specializes in the care of animals – both companion and livestock species.

The seminar, titled “Physical Therapy for Every Practice,” was presented by Kirsty Oliver, VN, DipAVN (surgical), CVT, CCRP, of Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Center.

Over sixty Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians registered for the event. Thirty-nine of the registrants were Johnson College alumni and a current student also attended.

Ms. Oliver educated attendees about physical rehabilitation and fitness therapy. Physical Rehabilitation is a non-invasive approach used to help patients reach their full functional potential. Therapeutic exercise, massage, passive range of motion, stretching, thermotherapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, laser, ultrasound, and aquatic therapy are utilized to achieve this goal in a safe and efficient manner.

For more information on Johnson College’s Continuing Education opportunities, please call 570-702-8979 or visit www.johnson.edu/continuing-education/upcoming-training.

Information about Pfizer Animal Health can be found at www.animalhealth.pfizer.com.

From left to right: Rosemary Cook, CVT, Ph.D, Johnson College Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson; Kirsty Oliver, VN, DipAVN (surgical), CVT, CCRP, of Red Bank Veterinary Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Center; Susan J. Weber, CVT; Kendra Lapsansky ‘97, BS, CVT, Johnson College Veterinary Technology Program Instructor

Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program recently welcomed a guest lecturer to campus. Over sixty students, faculty, and staff members attended the presentation.

Erick Hiott, LVT works with Ceva Animal Health, LLC, a company that provides a wide range of animal health care products. His presentation dealt with ectoparasites, which are parasites that live on the outside of its host, and complemented the Veterinary Technology Program’s Parasitology course.

“It was great to have Mr. Hiott present to our students,” stated Rosemary Cook, CVT, Ph.D., Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson, “Additionally, students had an opportunity to see what other career paths they could pursue with their degree besides entering private practice.”

Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and prepares students to be Veterinary Technicians. To learn more, visit www.johnson.edu or call 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From left to right: Erick Hiott, LVT, Ceva Animal Health, LLC;  Rosemary Cook, CVT, Ph.D., Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson; Stephanie Pherreigo ’11 with Vito, Old Forge; Lauren Elmore ’12, Honesdale; Jamie Campbell, Ceva Animal Health, LLC

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), “Four million cats and dogs – about one every eight seconds – are put down in U.S. shelters each year.” These deaths are the unfortunate result of pet overpopulation and an important part of ending this crisis is spaying/neutering.

Every February, students in Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program do their part to help control pet overpopulation by assisting with the College’s annual Spay Day event. This one-day only clinic assists residents of Lackawanna County with an income of less than $25,000 annually by offering discounted spaying and neutering services for their dogs and cats.

This year, students had another opportunity to help curb the overpopulation crisis by volunteering with the Feral Cat Neutering Program, which is a local, volunteer-driven Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.

The HSUS defines TNR as “a strategy for improving the lives of feral cats and reducing their numbers.” Feral cats are different than strays. While stray cats are lost pets, feral cats are descendants of domesticated cats that have returned to the wild.

All funding for the Feral Cat Neutering Program comes directly from private contributions. About sixteen local veterinarians offer their time and expertise to make the program possible. When volunteering, students from Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program help take blood samples, administer shots, aid with surgical prep, and provide surgical assistance. This is valuable hands-on experience for their future as Certified Veterinary Technicians.

Karen Moss, a volunteer with the Feral Cat Neutering Program, states, “We absolutely love having the Johnson College students help. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to be as successful as we’ve been. In the year that we’ve been working we’ve neutered over 200 feral cats, perhaps preventing thousands more.”

For more information about the Feral Cat Neutering Program, please contact Carol Coffee at 570-824-5871.

To find out more about Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit www.johnson.edu or call 1-800-2WE-WORK.

From Left to Right: Nichole Blasko ’11, Hughestown; Monica Martucci ’11, Gouldsboro; Marissa Slivkanich ’11, Madison Twp.

On February 23, 2011, the Animal Care Center at Johnson College celebrated its 7th Annual Spay Day. This one-day only clinic assisted residents of Lackawanna County with an income of less than $25,000 annually by offering discounted spaying and neutering services for their dogs and cats.

Spay Day USA was founded by the Doris Day Animal League in the mid-1990s. According to the Humane Society of the United States, “Between 3 million and 4 million cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies are put down in the U.S. each year, and millions more suffer in the streets worldwide. Spay Day shines a spotlight on spay/neuter as a means of reducing the number of homeless pets who must be euthanized.” This year, more than 700 Spay Day events were scheduled around the nation in an effort to control pet overpopulation.

The Animal Care Center at Johnson College performed a total of 43 surgical procedures during this year’s Spay Day. A great deal of volunteers made the event possible.

Along with the Animal Care Center’s own Dr. Colin Bullmore, local veterinarians from the Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center (VREC) volunteered their time and services to perform the spay/neuter surgeries. Those doctors included Dr. Lisay Chizmar, Dr. Molly Molloy and Dr. Sarah Muhrer. Johnson College Alumni Jolynn Lawler ‘07 and Christina Leseberg ’10, now both Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs), also came to lend their expertise. Dr. Rosemary Cook, Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson, shares, “Both Jolynn and Christina were here all day supervising the students as well as providing patient care. They were great leaders and mentors.”

Instructors and students from Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program, which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), provided assistance inside and outside the surgery room. Students in the program are training to become CVTs. CVTs aid veterinarians by assisting in surgery, taking radiographs, evaluating blood samples, and more.

Additionally, a number of representatives from other departments within the College provided help, such as Joellen Cerra, Bursar, who handled payments. Kim Schuetrum, a receptionist from VREC, helped Corinne Dahms, the Veterinary Technology Department’s Administrative Assistant, with all check-ins.

Dr. Cook says, “We extend many thanks to everyone who made our 7th Annual Spay Day a success!”

Please Note: Johnson College’s Spay Day is a one-day only event. The College does not offer these discounted services at any other time.

From Left to Right: Sinea Gallagher ’12, Clarks Summit; Henry; Leslie Hunt ’12, Dalton

Nichole Blasko ‘11, of Hughestown, with Henry

Kristina Compton ’11, of Dingmans Ferry, with Tux

Pfizer Animal Health will hold a Veterinary Technology Continuing Education Seminar at Johnson College on Sunday, March 27, 2011.

Kirsty Oliver, VN, DipAVN (surgical), CVT, CCRP, of RBVH Physical Rehabilitation Center, will be presenting “Physical Therapy for Every Practice,” which will educate attendees about physical rehabilitation and fitness therapy. Physical Rehabilitation is a non-invasive approach used to help patients reach their full functional potential. Therapeutic exercise, massage, passive range of motion, stretching, thermotherapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, laser, ultrasound, and aquatic therapy are utilized to achieve this goal in a safe and efficient manner. Ms. Oliver will provide a dynamic day-long seminar that will include lecture and case scenarios.

This seminar is open to Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. It is equal to six (6) CE hours approved by the Pennsylvania Veterinary Technicians Association. The fee is $60, or $55 for Johnson College Alumni. The deadline to register is March 18th, 2011. To register, please contact David Hollenback at 570-702-8979 or dhollenback@johnson.edu. Registration forms can also be found here.

Johnson College is located at 3427 North Main Avenue in Scranton, which is off exit 190 on I-81.

The Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center (VREC) recently donated a DAIWHA Corp, Ltd. MEDIFUSION MP-1000 intravenous fluid pump to Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program.

The MP-1000 is used to deliver liquids through IV or epidural routes for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. Students in the Veterinary Technology Program will be trained with this important device that is often used in the field.

Nichole Danova, DVM, President/Director of Surgery of VREC, states, “We highly appreciate all that Johnson College, the Animal Care Center and the Veterinary Technology Program have done for VREC and the veterinary community.”

Johnson College’s Animal Care Center offered its facility space to VREC and its staff in order for it to transition from concept to reality. In December 2009, Dr. Nichole Danova and others started a surgical referral service, then known as the Veterinary Surgical Center. The team immediately launched plans to move into a larger, full-service hospital space. The name of the organization was changed and its current location was established in February 2010. Currently, VREC, now a 24-hour, multi-specialty referral and emergency center, can be found at 318 Northern Blvd. in South Abington Twp.

Dr. Danova shares, “Johnson College allowed us to become organized and ready for the tremendous undertaking of opening a new referral and emergency center and thus did not just support us, but helped the entire community of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal shelters, emergency responders and most importantly pets and their families.”

To learn more about VREC, please visit www.vrecpa.com or call 570-587-7777. For more information about Johnson College’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit www.johnson.edu or call 570-342-6404.

From Left to Right: Jen Pleskach, Receptionist at Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center; Lauren Levish ‘04, CVT, Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center; Megan Biduck ‘08, CVT, Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center; Rosemary Cook, CVT, Ph.D., Veterinary Technology Program Chairperson at Johnson College; Nichole Danova, DVM, President/Director of Surgery at Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center; Lara Derr, Practice Manager at Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center; Kendra Lapsansky, BS, CVT, Veterinary Technology Program Instructor at Johnson College; Colin Bullmore, DVM,  Veterinary Technology Program Instructor at Johnson College

On October 29, 30 and 31, 2010, the 51st Annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA.

According to Penn State’s Cooperative Extension Dairy and Animal Science Department, “Youth from 59 counties qualified for this year’s show. Over 800 youth with 1303 entries and more than 900 horses participated in 48 performance and 90 production classes and special events throughout the weekend.”

Johnson College’s own Tiffany Belcher, a freshman in the Veterinary Technology Program, participated in this competition. Ms. Belcher, along with her horse – Triples Rolling Rock, placed 4th in the Clover Leaf Barrel Race Horses Class!

Ms. Belcher has been riding horses since she was three years old. 2010 marked her second year participating in the Annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show.

Great job, Tiffany!

Tiffany Belcher ’12, of Wyalusing, with her horse Triples Rolling Rock.

Tiffany Belcher ’12 and Triples Rolling Rock competing at the 51^st Annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show.

The Animal Care Center at Johnson College is currently accepting applications for its Annual Spay Day, which will take place on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

This one-day only clinic offers discounted spaying and neutering services for dogs and cats. Residents of Lackawanna County with an income of less than $25,000 annually are invited to apply.

The deadline for filing applications is February 4, 2011 and will be strictly adhered to. Applications can be obtained at www.johnson.edu, by calling 570-702-8961, or by stopping by the Animal Care Center on Johnson College’s campus at 3427 North Main Avenue, Scranton. Incomplete applications or those submitted without verification of income will not be considered. Submitting an application does not guarantee that your animals will be accepted. Please no phone calls to check on the status of applications; Animal Care Center personnel will call eligible applicants to set up an appointment time.

This will be the seventh year that Johnson College has celebrated Spay Day in conjunction with the Doris Day Foundation’s Spay Day USA, which seeks to help control pet overpopulation by providing affordable spaying/neutering services. On the day of the event, the College’s senior Veterinary Technology Program students assist in surgical prep, surgery, and post-surgical care. Other volunteers include local Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians who pitch in to make the day a success.

For more information on Spay Day 2011, please contact the Animal Care Center at Johnson College by calling 570-702-8961.

Johnson College student Stephanie Pherreigo ’11, of Old Forge, poses with a patient, Amico, during Spay Day 2010.