Donna, TX (KRGV) — Grant funding is expanding Donna North High School's veterinary science program and increasing its surgical training capacity from 10 animals to 25.

The program aims to help students start careers caring for animals. It could also help fill gaps in veterinary care in some areas of the Rio Grande Valley.

“It's honestly exciting to be able to get more hands-on with animals,” student Angel Arguelles said.

The program started in 2019 with low-cost spay and neuter clinics. It now offers free services for the community.

Students attend classroom sessions during the school week and train on weekends with veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Arguelles joined the program as a junior and now gets experience beyond the classroom.

"For the weekends, we arrive here at around 7 a.m., we get everything ready for the clinic... and then we go through the whole process of a clinic from wellness exams all the way to surgery," Arguelles said.

A sophomore in the program hopes to become a veterinarian. Carmen Alvarado said she is learning how to intubate an animal, prep it for anesthesia, draw blood, and do a heartworm test.

“We've increased tremendously. This year alone we had about 80 freshmen who signed up for the program,” Donna North High School veterinary science teacher Amanda Cedillo said.

Students work in groups and follow one patient from intake through recovery and discharge. Cedillo said the new resources will let the program offer more surgeries in the classroom.

Students who complete the program will earn the Texas Veterinary Medical Association's Level 1 Veterinary Assistant certification.

Data from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners shows Hidalgo County has 11 active licensed veterinary technicians and Cameron County has 14, while Starr and Willacy counties have none. The same data shows Hidalgo County has 70 doctors of veterinary medicine, Cameron County has 40, Starr County has three and Willacy County has none.

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