Donors announce FAUNA Vet Tech Scholarship

NATCHITOCHES - Cammie Henry visited Northwestern State University's Department of Veterinary Technology Sept. 4 to deliver a contribution and announce the Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA) Vet Tech Scholarship Fund. FAUNA is a Natchitoches-based animal advocacy and rescue group that has worked with NSU's Vet Tech program for about 15 years.

Cammie is a friendly pit/terrier mix who accompanied FAUNA volunteers to the NSU Vet Tech labs. The $10,000 donation to the NSU Foundation, provided by donors Juanita and Mike Murphy and Pearl and David Walker, will assist students pursuing careers in veterinary technology.

"The NSU Veterinary Technology program and FAUNA have had a long-standing cooperative relationship that benefits both the students and local rescue animals," said Dr. Doug Landry, department head. "Students are able to gain experience handling dogs and cats and perform essential hands-on skills necessary to become proficient veterinary technicians and graduate from the program."

The Vet Tech program takes 5-6 rescues from FAUNA each semester. The animals are housed on the NSU campus and are cared for by students who learn to do physical exams, injections, catheters, radiography training and socialization. Murphy said Vet Tech students have saved about 40 dogs. They have space for cats as well but cannot take in wildlife or animals that are not current on vaccinations due to student safety regulations.

"They usually become better socialized and receive some basic veterinary care, as needed, to hopefully achieve the ultimate goal of adoption and finding their 'forever home' soon thereafter," Landry said.

Cammie Henry, the pit mix, was dumped, along with three puppies, at Melrose Plantation, and taken in by FAUNA. She is about three years old, heartworm free, spayed and ready for adoption. Murphy said she is "the current queen of FAUNA" because of her gentle personality.

"We are so thankful for Juanita Murphy and Shirley Walker's contributions to establish this endowed scholarship for Veterinary Technology students as it is the first endowed scholarship within the department that will be able to support students committed to the animal healthcare community. "

To make a contribution to the FAUNA Vet Tech Scholarship, visit https://northwesternstatealumni.com/fauna-scholarship/

Information on NSU's Department of Veterinary Technology is available at https://www.nsula.edu/vettech/. Information on the NSU Foundation is available https://northwesternstatealumni.com/.