By Victoria Olayiwola
The Pre-Veterinary Society at Youngstown State University opens a clinic once every semester, providing learning opportunities for pre-veterinary students while giving back to the community.
The establishment of the society was solidified with the help of Heather Lorimer — the society’s advisor — and Tina Costarella, who worked hand-in-hand with a couple of students who were planning to get into veterinary school.
Samantha McCullough, the public relations officer for the club, talked about the general overview of the upcoming spring clinic.
“We have people for the spring clinic, and we hope to have a lot more because people are re-registering their dogs and other animals as to get vaccinations like rabies and get tested for things like heartworm. It is just, like, a way to make it more affordable for the community,” McCullough said.
One of the events the society hosts, McCullough said, is the spring clinic.
“Our biggest club activity that is open to the public is the clinic. We have other activities like the monthly meeting that is always held, so if anyone is interested, feel free to email me at [my] YSU email or Elizabeth Chiarello, who is the president of the club,” she said. “The club also tends to go to the table events YSU puts on, so feel free to walk up and talk to us during table events.”
McCullough detailed the purpose of the clinic and expanded on the type of animals that could benefit from its services.
“One of the goals of this clinic at YSU is to get as many animals cared for in the area as the pre-vet clinic can and also, the services provided by this society helps to express the importance of getting vaccinations for all animals and having them fixed,” McCullough said. “We don’t only see cats and dogs, but we come across other animals like rabbits and other sorts.”
The clinic welcomes clients from all areas, near and far.
“People who live in Youngstown and around, like, Cleveland, Canfield and Boardman also come around the clinic with their animals because we get people to write out addresses and everything so that we have information of both the client and patient,” she said.
The Marjorie Hartman Family Foundation Pet Clinic will be hosted by the YSU Pre-Veterinary Society and Buster’s Brigade from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 23 at Lot M32, located on the corner of Adams and Walnut streets.
