Westford High School Students Gain Hands-On Veterinary Experience

Angell at Nashoba is an animal clinic housed inside Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford, MA

Hands-on learning environments can be invaluable for students deciding on a career path, and a local high school is giving aspiring veterinary assistants a huge leg up.

Angell at Nashoba is an animal clinic housed inside Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford, MA. Open since February, the clinic is a place for low-income families to take their pets and for students to learn in an interactive environment. 

"They could graduate from here and potentially go right into a job because they have that experience," said Dr. Laurence Sawyer, Medical Director of Angell at Nashoba. 

Along with with traditional classroom learning, the clinic is part of the veterinary assisting program for students at Nashoba Valley Tech. 

"Now they can step across the hallway and they can actually be into the real world of what's happening in vet medicine," said Betsy Hensley, Clinical Instructor of the Veterinary Assisting Program at Nashoba Valley Tech. 

Students learn how to interact with clients, restrain the animals, and ready vaccines.

"Since I was little, I've been interested in animals," said Jackson Jeffrey, a junior. "I'm a hands-on learner."

"If you can find something that you're passionate about at a young age, you're going to be able to go so far. It just opens doors," Sawyer said.

Angell at Nashoba provides discounted spay and neuter services, vaccinations, and basic veterinary care. To financially qualify, you must have a WIC program card, SNAP card, or public housing letter. To learn more about the clinic,

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