Meeting & Agendas

Meeting started at 7:11pm (due to technical difficulties)

New awning over the dog runs. Prior to the awning that area was open and the students would have to endure that adverse weather. Now the awning protects the students and dogs. It is also an attractive addition to the building.

Amanda informed that there is also a new dental machine

Libby informed a new auto clave will be ordered and they are excited. New fluid pumps & new ventilator.

The partnership with APA was a great set up/partnership. If the animals were not adopted they were sent to APA. Unfortunately, APA said they would have to focus on Austin city limit obligations. That was bad news for the program because of this.

Janssen & Williamson county shelters are great shelters that we are partnering with now. The adoptions have still been successful. Those who are not adopted goes back to the shelter and typically gets adopted.

Dr. Coombs mentions, if you or anyone you know who want/need a pet please adopt from the VT program.

Dr. Barrera asked if we advertise with ACC for the adoption opportunity.

Libby answered “yes” and explained the process that is taken with the collaboration with ACC marketing department to get pictures taken and posted to the ACC website.

Losing one adjunct to vet school

Libby, Clinical Coordinator, is relocating and we are looking to hire a new coordinator in the near future.

Since the last meeting a new adjunct, Claudia, who completed the program is now on staff as a Clinical Coordinator.

There are 24 – 25 incoming students who submitted applications.

Application process is completed and there are 25 applicants for 24 seats. We will be looking at the applications and rankings are being done. We will have the full 24 in the fall.

They take their oath and are ready to move forward.

Everyone is welcomed at the ACC Elgin campus

There are 9 students successfully finishing the program.

Amanda is working with these students in the practicum.

Most of them are placed in a job after graduation.

93% graduating class of 2024 14 of the 15 who graduated passed (of the 16 who completed the program)

Dr. Barrera asked if there is a prep class and if there something being offered to help students pass?

Dr. Coombs responded “yes” there is a class offered at the end of the program which is a repeatable class.

The one student who did not pass the VTNE last year will not return any communication. There are classes that are offered for a fee; but they are reimbursed for the fee paid.

Libby informed that there is a 90-day subscription that is offered to the student. There is not a refund/reimbursement; but ACC does pay for the subscription.

Another rabies vaccine clinic this summer. We have two weeks saved to confirm with our collaborating partner at Walgreens to solidify a date.

At the time of classes beginning all students will be vaccinated.

Dr. Coombs asked if the two 1st year students would share their experience about the program and provide some insight to their expectations.

Nubia experience – didn’t know what to expect. Most of her coworkers completed the program in an online setting. So, she decided to do an in-person program because she felt it would be a better fit for her. This experience has been very knowledgeable. She’s been answering questions for the VTNE and preparing for the end goal of the program.

Hayley experience – started out not knowing anything. Her experience prior to the program was working the kennels, which provided her main experience. Hayley expresses that this cohort has been a blessing and she has learned a lot. She learned some things that she didn’t think she would learn and find herself sharing her learnings with others.

Dr. Coombs let Hayley know that if you can teach it, then you’ve completed the learning.

Kristi, one of our 2nd year students who could not attend because of her practicum work hours, shared her concerns via an email statement. Those concerns were the objective of meeting and mentoring between the 1st and 2nd year students’ needs to be made more formal and introductions completed in-person and not via email. Krisi feels this would have given more of an opportunity to formal feel to the depth of what could have been a more successful cause.

Dr. Sirmons circled back around to the past AVME onsite visit. Dr. Sirmons asked if the first site visit was virtual?

Dr. Coombs informed that in 2021 it was virtual and things were done via pictures and videos; therefore, this will be a different experience.

Dr. Sirmons asked if he thought it would be easier with them on campus?

Dr. Coombs responded “yes and no”. They may be able to hone in on issues otherwise unnoticeable in-person. Dr. Coombs used an example of them potentially finding an expired bag of food and things of that nature.

Dr. Sirmons verified the date of this year’s completion ceremony

Dr. Sirmons inquired about the class attrition rate; started with 24 and 10 are remaining. Asked the first year what they believe the issues. Nubia responded with she believes it was more so related to personal reasons (health). Also, 3 potentially not doing well in the program.

Hayley – agrees with Nubia. It was more personal than anything else.

Dr. Barrera inquired if there was anything we could have done better to support them.

Amanda explained that they are available to meet with the students; scores below 75% they meet with students; offer the tutoring services; send messages to Luis Garza – to see if it is related to grades and offering study habits. Share with them what is still needed to pass the class. Shares where they see the most deficit.

Dr. Coombs – reiterate that they meet with the students once they realize they are having trouble. They need them to pass the VTNE and they do everything they can to make that happen. Students need to take more advantage of the resources that ACC has.

Dr. Coombs circled back to the site visit. He mentioned how they used to meet with the advisory team in-person, but they changed it to sending an email and want to correspond that way. Your email details will be provided to the AVMA for the advisory committee to share any input you have to the program.

Dr. Barrera – asked when the site visit is scheduled and suggests placing those dates on the calendars of Dr. Almasy, Gaye Lynn, Dr. Barrera, Neil Vickers, etc.

Dr. Coombs – need to meet with Neil Vickers and Dr. Barrera (Dean of Health Science)

Dr. Warren circled back to mentoring options for students. She mentioned that Dr. Mohamed would be a good option for mentoring in some of the troubled areas. She has been speaking with her and if VT is looking to have a connection with that group let Elizabeth know.

Dr. Coombs informed that he has provided students insight and connects them with Dr. Mohamed when they are looking for additional experience, before coming into the program.

Dr. Warren circled back to the equipment topic and equipment upgrades. She states if VT is going to retire equipment, please donate it to VT Asst program.

Libby and Elizabeth will connect and further discuss this.

Robin inquired is the VT program work with HS students who have a vested interest in VT. Is that something we can do?

Libby informed that both Hutto & Manor always bring students over for tours. There has been a few from Hutto that has applied and/or will apply.

The VT program is increasing their visibility in the high schools. Claudia has gone out to fairs representing and sharing about the ACC VT program.

Dr. Coombs asked Libby if she would share some parting words…

Libby: It has been an amazing experience working with the program. This opportunity has provided a chance of expanding on leadership skills, organizational skills and meeting successful students along the way. Libby has enjoyed this thoroughly. Family calls her, so she’s going back to OH.

Dr. Coombs said all items on the agenda had been covered and there were no additional comments. 

Robin motioned to adjourn; Libby 2nd the motion; ALL in favor responded/raised hands - "I"

Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.

Recognized all present advisory members

Dr. Coombs – asked for the motion to have agenda approved

Amanda motion for approval of the agenda; motion was 2nd by Dr. Sirmons; All in favor responded “I” and raised hands in the virtual setting.

August 2nd (2024) @ 9am

Everyone is welcomed at the ACC Elgin campus – building 2000

There are 16 students and 15 completed the program successfully (one pending PHIL 2306). This is the largest group to date.

What we have done to help with the funding:

Used money from operational budget and required students to submit their insurance details at the time of the clinic. Some of the cost was offset with submission of their insurance.

Continued using Walgreens as a collaborative source and the discount from this resource.

100% with 2024 graduating class of 2023

Full-time LVT instructors = 2

Professional LVT tech = 2

Part-time LVT = 7

Part-time DVM = 1

Incoming students = 24 (which is the cap number)

Started working on this project. Pictures are being taken; students will be interviewed; staff and faculty are working through the questions and getting updates completed.