Pictured is Dr. Carla Carlton, owner/veterinarian, and Riley Boren, WACC student who is interning as an animal care technician, at Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center. Photo Provided.
Pictured is Dr. Carla Carlton, owner/veterinarian, and Riley Boren, WACC student who is interning as an animal care technician, at Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center. Photo Provided.
Warsaw Area Career Center Intern: Riley Boren

Parents: Jennifer and Joshua Boren

Employer: Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center

Student’s Job Title:  Animal Care Technician

Supervisor: Dr. Carla Carlton, owner/veterinarian

What are your job responsibilities: I am expected to care for the animals in boarding and observe veterinary procedures.

How has this position been helpful to you?  This position has helped me gain knowledge of veterinary practices as well as solidify  my career choice.

What have you learned?  I have learned so much about the field of veterinary medicine as well as some skills I will need in the adult world.

How is this job preparing you for the future? This job will directly prepare me for my future career as a large animal veterinarian as it is teaching me clinical skills and my experience here will be beneficial to my chances of getting into veterinary school.

What do you like about this job? This job has been very helpful with my career choice and it is also a great stress reliever as I get to spend time with animals all day.

What Career Center classes have you taken in your pathway? Intro to Agriculture, Animal Science, Advanced Animal Science and Agribusiness  Management.

Your Career and College Plans: I am planning to attend Purdue University and study Large Animal Veterinary.

Supervisor Input:

What duties does this student perform? Speaks with clients when animals are dropped off and picked up from day care and boarding.  Spends time with the animals while they are in solo or group play.  Helps determine which dogs will play well together.  Gives pamper sessions to the dogs and cats in our care as desired by owners.  General cleaning of the boarding facilities.  Feeding and medicating the dogs and cats boarding with us.  Helps with laundry.  Assists doctors and nurses if needed.

How is this job preparing  this student for the future? Increased communication skills with a varied population.  Being responsible and responsive in an ever changing environment.  Able to read body language of dogs and cats.  Learning to handle animals in such a way as to keep them happy and relaxed in an unfamiliar place. Team work.  Observational skills become improved and learning to see subtle abnormalities.

What do you think of the WACC Work-Based Learning program? It seems a great program and opportunity for the students to aid them in deciding their future paths.

Why were you willing to partner with the WACC in this program?  We enjoy having the students here and many have continued to stay in touch with us over the years.