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The Class of 1959 established its Teaching and Development Fund to improve student learning experiences.

“The Class of ’59 quickly realized after graduation and further education that the part of our Nova Scotia Agricultural College experience we valued most was the high-quality teaching and learning experiences in our courses,” says class secretary Dale Ells. “The Class decided to establish a fund to assist with projects on an annual basis that would help maintain or improve the teaching and learning activities on campus.”

More experience, better care

New training tools, including the SurgiReal Cystocentesis Trainer, Paws 2 Claws manikins, and CHAMP Canine Venipuncture & Injection Trainer, provide invaluable opportunities for VTEC students to develop critical skills safely and effectively before working with live animals. This improves both student experience and animal care throughout the program.

“The Class of ’59 fund allowed for the purchase of several realistic models that directly link with essential skills from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association,” says Dr. Lori Parsons, veterinary technology program coordinator. “These are skills a job-ready veterinary technician from an accredited program must be competent to perform upon graduation.”

SurgiReal Cystocentesis Trainer

This trainer allows VTEC students to practice multiple skills involving the urinary bladder in small animal patients. This model significantly improves student and faculty safety and provides more consistent training prior to live animal use.

Paws 2 Claws manikins

The Paws 2 Claws Injection Kitten offers students the chance to practice handling and restraint while delivering both subcutaneous (under the skin) and intramuscular injections. The Paws 2 Claws Male Urinary Catheter manikin is a crucial investment that fulfills the need to train students in placing urinary catheters in male dogs.

This essential skill is required by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and it is now possible for students to learn on a model before attempting this procedure on a live animal. The manikins are an important contribution, ensuring students have access to clinical simulation to develop this highly necessary skill.

CHAMP Canine Venipuncture & Injection Trainer

The CHAMP Canine Venipuncture & Injection Trainer simulates blood collection and intravenous catheter placement (venipuncture) on a specific vein in canine patients. This vein can be technically challenging for VTEC students to puncture successfully.

This multi-functional model offers a new bridge between theory and live animal attempts that was not present in the VTEC program previously. It also offers students an opportunity to practice intramuscular injections in the anatomy of a canine hindlimb. The representation of hindlimb anatomy and simulated muscle offer visual and tactile experiences that are not present on the stuffed animal models that this simulator has replaced.

“Contributions like this are essential to our learning experience and provide excitement and motivation to advance from model to patient,” explains Kaylee Clarke, a first-year Veterinary Technology student expected to graduate in May 2026.

“Working with these models has enabled me to have a visual and physical experience of essential skills, increasing my confidence and security in being able to successfully apply these skills on real patients in the near future,” she adds.

“Thank you for supporting my hands-on learning and giving me the necessary practice for my skills!”

The Class of ‘59 was clear that faculty and staff members directly involved with teaching be the ones to select new projects and highlight areas of greatest need.

“These models have had a huge impact on animal welfare and practical skill acquisition,” adds Dr.  Parsons. “You can not learn these skills without doing them and the models allow us to do them safely until we can transition to live animal patients.”