The student will learn the complete operations of a pet service business by direct observation and involvement of ALL aspects of the business, including communication with pet owners, as well as outside veterinary clinics
This is a collaboration with The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, with multiple specialty veterinarians, including Dr. Page Yaxley (Emergency Critical Care) and Dr. Susan Barrett (Community Practice). Also, students will have access to Joelle Nielsen, MSW, LSW; Program Coordinator for the Honoring the Bond program. Between the faculty, Honoring the Bond Program, and Schoedinger Pet Services, multiple resources (books, websites, journal articles, etc.) will be available to supplement learning. Topics would include: pet loss resources, communication with clients, animal hospice, end-of-life care, home euthanasia, etc. The student will also be invited to attend rounds in the VMC, including communication/euthanasia rounds in CP, as well as End-of-Life rounds in SAECC.
The student will be involved, hands-on, with ALL aspects of running the business. This will include phone and in-person contacts with pet owners, including owners coming for final goodbye visits with deceased pets. The student will also observe and/or help with cremations, making of memorial items, inputting data in the detailed tracking system, picking up and delivering pets and cremains. By directly communicating with grieving pet owners, the student will improve their communication skills. The student will learn multiple facets of running a business, and specific information regarding legal, ethical, and financial aspects of pet cremation and aftercare, in general. The student will also be involved in outreach to new and existing veterinary clinics. The hours will be Monday thru Friday 8AM to 4PM, for a two week period.