Partnering for a Purpose

Cars lined up, the bark of a dog and the meow of a cat. On this morning, the parking lot at Tulsa Tech's Peoria Campus sounded more like a pet daycare than a school. However, behind the noise was a partnership with a purpose to help animals and give students hands-on training.

Tulsa Tech and the Humane Society of Tulsa recently teamed up for a spay and neuter clinic. The event also linked Health Science Technology students and members of our Adult Career Development team

"This is a great event to help nearly a thousand animals," said David Karleskint, an Adult Coordinator at Tulsa Tech. "This clinic also ties into some of our part-time evening and weekend class offerings."

Tulsa Tech's recently revised its Veterinary Assistant class, which now consists of 40 hours of training, including a clinical lab component. Also offered is a Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) approved Helping Animals and Owners in Disasters class. The four-hour class partners with the Humane Society and CLEET to help train first responders in handling animals during a disaster.

Through important partnerships like this, Tulsa Tech not only help students train for future careers, but continues to positively impact our community.

"We know that getting animals spayed or neutered has a significant impact on the overpopulation problem here in Tulsa," said Macheal Ita with the Humane Society of Tulsa. "We are creating a situation that we believe allows everyone to help curb that overpopulation."

Students worked alongside the professionals to sanitize equipment, move pets from place to place and help with the check-in and pick up procedures.

"Volunteering for this event helps us gain those important professional skills," Estefania Carbajal, a student in the HST program, said. "Learning to communicate well with co-workers and the owners of the pets."

The HST program at Tulsa Tech offers students the chance to explore the wide variety of careers the health care field offers.

"it is a great way for me to look at what I want to do and explore before committing to an expensive college education," Ana Ibarra, a junior at Nathan Hale high school said. "Because HST covers the basics, it will help me no matter what career I choose."

Tulsa Tech is proud to offer students multiple ways to enhance their careers. With more than 80 different full-time career training options, there is certainly one that will fit your personality. Also, check out the adult part-time evening and weekend classes offering career training, personal enrichment and continuing education.