(April 24, 2009 Stillwater, OK) – A total of 68 students from Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently volunteered their time on a Saturday to help control pet over-population. Assisted by OSU veterinary center faculty and staff, the students formed teams and spayed 12 shelter dogs and neutered one cat.

“Each team consisted of two first-year students who performed the physical exam on the animal, a second year student who handled anesthesia, and either two third-year students or one third- and one fourth-year student who actually performed the surgery,” explains Libby Gutting (’10), one of the organizers along with Sabrina Vobornik (’09), Amy Edwards (’11) and Paige Mackey (’12). “This is the 10th anniversary of this student run event.”



The ‘Neighborhood Neuter’ exercise provides a valuable service to the community by helping control the pet population and also gives the veterinary students hands-on experience.

Assisting with the program were Drs. Meg Gross, Danielle Pawloski, Sabrina Reilly, Mark Rochat, Jennifer Schultz and Lesa Staubus. Also on hand were staff members Patti Anderson, Dianne Hudson, and Melisa Miles.

“As a first year veterinary student, participating in Neighborhood Neuter was an excellent experience,” says Megan Beavers. “I was able to get a familiarity for junior surgery protocols and charting techniques. It was a joy to participate in a program that benefits both students and local animal shelters.”

To help cover the costs of the veterinary medical supplies used, student organizers obtained these sponsors: Aspen Coffee Company, Fort Dodge, Hills, McAllister’s Deli, Novartis, Panera Bread, Purina, Red Rock Bakery, Stillwater Screenprinting, SCAVMA, VCA, and the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

Student participants were: Class of 2012 – Megan Beavers, Alli Biddick, Marion Carlile, Bailey Cave, Patrick Clark, Bridget Ellis, Rya Gouge, Abbey Harris, Catie Hennessey, Emily Kirk, Paige Mackey, Missy Magnotta, Kim McCormack, Kelli McMahan, Brittany Myers, Melanie Novak, Annie Robbins, Lana Rothenburg, Kristy Rutz, Kyle Smith, Colleen Stevens, Megan Taylor, Katie Tiernan, Taylor Tillery Michelle Brewer-Withrow, and Jessica Wolf; Class of 2011 – Shelagh Christ, Jennifer Clarke, Amy Copeland, Amy Edwards, Gina Roberts, Jeff Skaggs, Sara Smith, Michelle Sonnema, Michelle Stives, Dan Wagnon, Shana Watkins, Emily Wydysh, and Casey Vire; Class of 2010 – Carey Bachman, Kait Bender, Heather Briscoe, Amber Burton, Bonnie Chiu, Katie Cope, Madeline Deatherage, Becca Dietz, Meredith Dooley, Amber Ferguson, Kyle German, Kendi Horner, Renee Jaklitsch, Loren Johnson, Sarah Kalivoda, Desiree Poore, Ben Spall, Brad Stock, Laura Townley, Alicia Webb and Becca White; and Class of 2009 – Doug Connington, Julie Hempstead, Sabrina Kordis, Nick Mosier, Melissa Tillotson, and Todd Yeagley.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center’s Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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