AHS Dogs Support West-MEC’s High School Veterinary Program

The Arizona Humane Society is pleased to announce a strategic collaboration with the Western Maricopa Education Center’s (West-MEC) Veterinary Science program! The partnership will help address capacity challenges while nurturing the interests of aspiring young veterinary professionals in the Valley. West-MEC has lovingly taken in three dogs originally under the care of AHS, providing them with housing and care at their cutting-edge northwest campus in Surprise. This initiative has enabled AHS to open three critical kennels for incoming sick, injured and abused dogs and concurrently affords students enrolled in the program invaluable hands-on experience throughout their educational journey.

This partnership is also significant due to the growing scarcity of professionals in the veterinary medicine field. By offering high school students the opportunity to gain practical experience before graduation, these programs play a pivotal role in equipping them with essential industry skills and knowledge. This proactive approach not only contributes to building a robust animal care workforce in Arizona but also helps address a broader nationwide veterinary shortage.

In a recent visit to West-MEC’s Surprise campus, we had the pleasure of meeting the AHS pups now residing there and engaged with educators and students participating in the school’s Veterinary Science program. The positive impact is clear, with all three dogs actively contributing to the student’s learning experiences, fostering a dynamic environment where teenagers can engage with real-life animals, offering care, affection and irreplaceable hands-on learning opportunities. Plus, the dogs don’t seem to mind being showered with cuddles and kisses all day, either!