Class Website: http://locusttracevetassistant.weebly.com

I grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and lived in Southeast Pennsylvania for 20 years. I now live in Scott County with my husband, Geoff, and 2 children. I earned a degree in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University and a degree in Career and Technology Education from Eastern Kentucky University. I worked as a Veterinary Technician for 12 years. My work experience includes Purdue University Veterinary School, University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School and in private practice for both small animal and equine. My teaching career began in 2006 by starting a Veterinary Assistant Program in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My family and I moved to the Lexington area in 2012 when I started the Veterinary Assistant Program at Locust Trace. In my spare time I am a joint district commissioner for the Bluegrass Pony Club and enjoy riding horses and fishing with my family.

My role at Locust Trace is to give students the skills, knowledge and work ethic needed to work in industry with animals thru the Veterinary Assistant and Equine Programs.

I consider it a privilege to also be an advisor in our FFA program, building students into the leaders we know they can be.

The Veterinary Assistant Program prepares students to work with animals in a medical setting. The curriculum includes career exploration, anatomy, physiology and common diseases of small and large animals. A key part of this program are the many hand on skills that are essential for any career in veterinary medicine. Students handle animals every day and work closely with the Locust Trace Veterinary Clinic, located in the school. This program is one of 6 high school programs in the country that can offer the opportunity to earn a national certification thru the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. NAVTA has endorsed this program to offer the Approved Veterinary Assistant certification.  This certification should allow students more career choices as well as helping with entrance to college programs. Students in this program also have the opportunity to participate in an internship at a local veterinary clinic during summer months. We offer 3 college credits thru Morehead State University in the second year of the program. The Veterinary Assistant Program is a challenging 4 semester program that is career oriented and offers many opportunities in the veterinary industry.