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OCC, SUNY Delhi collaborate to address shortage of veterinary technicians

A bear named Bjorn is examined in Animal Health Center at Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Provided photo
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Rosamond Gifford Zoo
A bear named Bjorn is examined in Animal Health Center at Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Central New York college students have an easier path to careers in veterinary science thanks to a new college partnership. Students enrolled in SUNY Delhi’s veterinary science technology online classes can now earn credits at Onondaga Community College toward their degree. They’ll also have hands-on opportunities at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s animal health center. OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton said since he arrived in 2022, veterinarians and others have asked the college to build a vet tech program.

“We certainly have prospective students who have come to us inquiring and now we don't have to send them somewhere else outside of Central New York. We have that opportunity for them.”

Hilton says, for example, he knows of a few students in the West Genesee School District already enrolled at SUNY Delhi. He adds those new veterinary technicians can fill a severe shortage in the region. OCC Senior Vice president Anastasia Urtz said the area is a vet tech desert.

“We didn't have the training that was required to support the learning and the work that the veterinary community was doing," Urtz said. "We are actually moving toward greater and greater loss of infrastructure.”

Ivy Young of Brookfield has already earned her degree and is an emergency veterinary technician. She’s the first to receive a scholarship from the Ann Harris Initiative, which aims to stabilize and revitalize veterinary emergency medicine in Central New York. Young says the new college partnership combined with financial incentives present opportunities for those seeking careers in veterinary medicine. 

“There's so many different avenues that everybody can go through," Young said. "You can go in emergency. You can work in urgent cares. You can work in internal medicine. The opportunities are endless once you get into it.”

 Young says she wants to continue her education and become a specialist in emergency and critical medicine.

SUNY Delhi President Dr. Mary Bonderoff signs the agreement as OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton looks on.
Scott Willis
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WAER News
SUNY Delhi President Dr. Mary Bonderoff signs the agreement as OCC President Dr. Warren Hilton looks on.

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.