At the Kenneth B. Clark Academy in Dobb’s Ferry, Dr. Maksim Vasilevsky’s high school students are studying veterinary medicine — and learning valuable lessons about responsibility and empathy.
The Veterinary Medicine Assistant Program takes place at a Special Act school and is the only program of its kind in New York. Special Act schools are often the last stop for students with disabilities or with severe behavioral, emotional, educational or physical challenges. Students are usually placed in such programs by the juvenile justice, child welfare, or mental health systems.
Vasilevsky, a member of the Greenburgh North Castle United Teachers, developed the program himself, specifically with his students in mind.
“It was a lot of strenuous work, but it was worth every ounce of my time,” he said.
“Any time we can provide real life experience for our students it's a win,” said Anthony Nicodemo, president of Greenburgh North Castle United Teachers and a member of the NYSUT Board of Directors. “Having career and technical education programs like this encourage students to come to school and prepare them for the future. We need a vast catalog of CTE programs in all schools.”
It took 1,000 hours to finish the New York state approved curriculum, but Vasilevsky’s no stranger to hard work. A former veterinarian with degrees from Cornell and the Royal Veterinary College in London, Vasilevsky went back to college for his degree in education in 2010. He finished his second doctorate, this one from Manhattanville University, in 2018.
Vasilevsky’s vet program teaches all aspects of veterinary medicine. In year one, students learn anatomy and physiology, animal behavior, animal handling and safe restraint, aseptic surgery techniques, as well as empathy and customer service. During year two, students widen their knowledge of animal care, learning the specifics of cattle, swine, goat, sheep, and poultry industries, and begin to assemble portfolios.
During their second year, students are also matched with hands-on clinical internships at local veterinary practices, where they earn 120 hours of real-world experience.
Students graduate from the two-year program with a veterinary assistant certificate, so they are ready to go right into this high-demand field. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary assisting is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2023 and 2033.) VMAP is also excellent preparation for college-bound students who want to pursue careers in animal health or veterinary sciences.
“The whole goal is to do hands-on, project-based learning, and that’s what the students like about it,” he said.
Today, students in Vasilevsky’s class are taking turns drawing blood using a silicone training pad streaked with veins full of red fluid.
“Now remember, this is a process that takes many tries,” Vasilevsky tells the students. “Bevel up and then insert the needle and wait for the pop. It’s a very weird feeling.”
Jayden Galo, a junior who plans to become a vet tech with a specialty in anesthesiology, is the first to have real success.
“Remember, it gets harder with real animals because their veins are all different, and they might be flailing or fighting you, too,” Vasilevsky said. The task, like so many in this fast-paced field, requires perseverance and practice, and students have to learn to put egos aside and put patient care first.
“It’s not about your reputation, it’s about the animal’s life,” Galo sums up.
In addition to being very useful career and college prep, the veterinary program is also teaching the students about accountability and compassion, and in some cases, giving them the opportunity to provide the kind of care and attention that they themselves might not have received.
“I really fell in love with animals when I was little,” said Mia Munez, a junior at Clark, who plans to work as a vet assistant while she pursues her college degree. She recalls that when she was younger, she was forced to leave her pet parrot in her uncle’s care. She returned only to find the parrot near death’s door. “She was a mess. She was skinny and bald,” Munez said. “I took her back in my care, and now she’s my everything. I feel like every animal deserves a good home and lots of love.”
The program is another example of how the Greenburgh North Castle district is working to bridge the gap for underserved students.
“It’s about being conscientious about their future,” said Vasilevsky. “We’re not done when they’re done with 12th grade. We’re done when they’re out in society, being successful in their communities.”