Scholarship created for vet assistant students

A new scholarship has been created to support students looking to work in veterinary care.

On behalf of the Menssen Critter Care Trust, John Penn, Mary Penn, and Henry Gauwitz presented the Heartland Community College Foundation with funding for an endowed scholarship for students studying to be veterinary assistants.

The Trust was established by the wills of Eric and Jayne Menssen to promote the care of abandoned, abused, or neglected animals. The Menssens were avid animal lovers and cared for many abandoned, lost, and injured animals.

Heartland’s Veterinary Assistant program is an 8-week course of study where students gain the knowledge and confidence to begin working as a veterinary assistant. Through classroom content and hands-on labs, students learn about animal anatomy and behavior, veterinary ethics, medical and dental procedures, and front office procedures.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for veterinary assistants is expected to grow 19% from 2016-2026, faster than the average for all occupations.