Introduction

The Program of Veterinary Technology evolved from an Animal Science Program that was developed and organized by Chris Sandorello, CAHT in 1984. The curriculum emphasized laboratory animal science and functioned in collaboration with the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research, which provided students off campus training with laboratory animals. Academic facilities were shared on campus with the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. As a veterinary technician, Ms. Sandorello was keenly aware of the growing demand for veterinary technicians in Pennsylvania and pursued the development of a veterinary technology curriculum in addition to laboratory animal science. In August 1986, Patricia McManus, VMD was hired part-time as Education Coordinator and instructor. She recommended rearrangement of the course sequence, acquired exclusive use of a classroom and organized student externships at three local veterinary hospitals. In 1988, Ms. Sandorello resigned to pursue other career options and Dr. McManus became the full-time Director. Shortly thereafter, the title of the Program was changed from "Animal Science" to "Veterinary Technology". Strategies for recruitment were developed and Carl Perkins money was acquired and used to expand the equipment and audio-visual holdings of the Program.

1991 & 1992

In June 1991, before leaving the College to assume a residency position at Cornell University, Dr. McManus submitted an application for accreditation that was approved by the CVTEA in the spring of 1992. Dr. Beth Udal-Weiner and Dr. Margaret McVay shared the leadership of the Program during the 1991-1992 academic year and served as hosts for the spring on-site evaluation. In response to the Committee's recommendation for one full-time rather than two half-time directors, the College hired Dr. Robin Kerlin as full-time Director and Dr. Joanna Bassert as half-time Education Coordinator in August 1992. (Dr. Udal-Weiner and Dr. McVay pursued other career opportunities). During this time graduate and employer surveys were developed, the Advisory Committee and Vet. Tech. Club were organized, and expansion of library resources for veterinary technology was initiated. Enrollment in the fall of 1992 included 26 students.

1993

In May 1993, Dr. Bassert became the Program Director and Dr. Kerlin became the Education Coordinator. In an effort to increase hands-on training with animals, Dr. Bassert developed five clinical laboratories during the 1993-1994 academic year. They were Small Animal Clinical Procedures, Barn Duty, and laboratories in Surgery, Anesthesiology and Laboratory Animal Management. Animals for these laboratories came from a number of sources. Cats and dogs were provided by the Compassionate Animal Relief Effort (CARE), rabbits, rodents and their cages were donated by Smith, Kline and Beecham. A thoroughbred gelding (Reds) was acquired from a private donor. Permission from four horse owners to use their animals during class at the Mother house Barn was obtained. The 1993 fall enrollment included 36 students.

That year, Dr. Bassert also organized the Continuing Education Lecture Series in Veterinary Technology and a letter writing campaign to acquire donated equipment from neighboring human hospitals. Increased efforts to recruit qualified applicants were employed by the Admissions Office as well as efforts by the Director to promote the Program's visibility at veterinary conferences and college fairs. In December 1993, Dr. Kerlin left Manor and Joanne Kellenbenz, CAHT, an alumna of the College, was hired as Education Coordinator.

1994

In the summer of 1994, Dr. Bassert designed and supervised renovation of the veterinary technology classroom (room 15). The room was originally a music classroom but was later given to the Program of Veterinary Technology for its exclusive use. At that time, all program lectures and laboratories including Anatomy and Physiology were taught in Room 15 which also housed the Program's equipment inventory. During the renovation process, lectures were moved to larger classrooms throughout the campus and the Anatomy and Physiology laboratories and all of its accompanying models, skeletons and preserved specimens were moved to the biology laboratory (Room 32). A surgery suite, prep area, pharmacy and wards were installed in Room 15 for use in small animal laboratories. Barn Duty was revised and made into a new course called Large Animal Clinical Procedures (VT100) which, for the first time, made use of the Fox Chase Farm, located two miles east of campus, in addition to the Motherhouse Farm. Laboratories offering hands-on training were added to Parasitology and Radiology courses while the Clinical Procedure courses I, II and III were dropped from the curriculum. That year, Dr. Bassert also expanded the externship program to incorporate a larger number of off campus sites including a laboratory animal externship. Enrollment climbed to 49 students.

1995

Microbiology for Veterinary Technicians was added to the curriculum, and the Program's equipment and audio/visual inventory was expanded, particularly to supply materials to the new small and large animal laboratories. Expansion of the budget and adjunct faculty enabled the Program to meet the needs of its expanded student body. Enrollment increased to 67 students.

1996

Dr. Bassert organized the first meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (PAVTE) in an effort to increase communication between veterinary technology programs in the State and to facilitate input by educators into legislative matters in Harrisburg. Proposed amendments to the existing Practice Act concerning veterinary technology (which introduced the terms veterinary nursing, veterinary nurse and veterinary nurse specialist) was completed by the PVMA's Practice Act Task Force.

During the following summer, Dr. Bassert designed and supervised the construction of an x-ray facility and room for housing laboratory animals in the Academic building near the Small Animal Clinical Laboratory (Room 15). Also this summer, curricular revisions were made that included the addition of medical terminology, and the expansion of Clinical Pathology into two three credit courses; Hematology and Clinical Chemistry & Urinalysis. In addition, Anatomy and Physiology was moved from the sophomore to the freshman year to better serve as a foundation for subsequent courses in veterinary technology. Enrollment in the fall of 1996 climbed to 72 students

In December 1996, because of increased involvement of educators from states other than Pennsylvania, the membership of the Pennsylvania Association of Veterinary Technician Educators voted to change its name to the Northeast Veterinary Technician Educators Association (NEVTEA).

1997

In the Spring of 1997 an on-site evaluation team visited Manor and the CVTEA subsequently awarded full-accreditation to the Program. Manor's Annual Springtime Gala was dedicated to the development of funds for acquisition of a x-ray unit and Dr. Patricia McManus was honored for her role in bringing initial AVMA accreditation to the Program. A few months later, on June 2, 1997, NEVTEA was incorporated by Dr. Bassert.

In the summer of 1997, a Universal high-frequency x-ray unit was purchased and installed in the newly constructed radiology suite. Also at this time, Dr. Bassert, in collaboration with Ray Schwegler, Instructional Technologies Manager and Frank DiMarchi, Development Office received a $25,000 matching grant from Bell Atlantic to develop on-line courses in veterinary technology. This grant was matched by the College. In addition, the Program adopted a Shetland gelding (Frosty) for use in Large Animal Clinical Procedures and Dr. Bassert recruited the participation of fostered animals from Spay n'Save and other rescue organizations (in addition to CARE) to better meet the increased demand for animals in Small Animal Clinical Procedures and in Surgery & Anesthesiology Laboratories. By the fall of 1997, enrollment included 80 students.

1998

In the winter of 1998, Ray Schwegler began the design and construction of a multimedia classroom using funds from the Bell Atlantic grant. The classroom included 16 Pentium table top computers, one 48 inch Monitor, two digital video cameras, one digital document camera with tray, one digital portable camera and a computerized white board. Around this time, the College acquired a T-1 line and obtained Internet access via Earth Station.

In the Spring, Joanne Kellenbenz stepped down as Education Coordinator, but continued to teach Large Animal Clinical Procedures in the fall as an adjunct faculty member. Introduction to Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Practice Management were combined to form one two-credit course and Surgery was expanded from two to three credits. At the same time, Clinical Chemistry was obligatorily decreased by one credit to accommodate the expansion of Surgery (the College does not permit Programs to exceed 85 credits). Ann McClenaghan and Dr. Bassert developed VT103 Introduction to Veterinary Technology and Practice Management, as a traditional and Internet-based distance education course. Five Marino and Jacob ewes and five lambs arrived at the Motherhouse Farm in May and were pastured in the upper field.

In the summer, Dr. Bassert and Donna White, of CD Communications, developed a course web site for VT103 that held all of the course materials and reference sources, this was the College's first website. At the same time, Ray Schwegler completed construction of the veterinary technology multimedia classroom. Renovations to the barn were made during the summer and included removal of the milking parlor and construction of eight new horse stalls. Ann McClenaghan became Education Coordinator in August. An additional grant of $53,000., this time provided by the State of Pennsylvania, was awarded to Dr. Bassert for continued development of distance education in Veterinary Technology.

Enrollment in the fall of 1998 reached 97 students making Veterinary Technology the largest program at Manor College. Introduction to Veterinary Technology and Practice Management was team-taught by Ann McClenaghan and Dr. Bassert in the fall and represents Manor's first Internet-based course. At this time, synchronous audio and video streaming using Net Show software was used to deliver lecture material in VT103 on-line. A Veterinary Technology Program web site was developed by Dr. Bassert and Donna White and was linked to the College and VT103 course web sites. This represents Manor's first Program web site.

In the summer of 1998, Dr. Dronson developed an inventory of chemical hazards for Vet Tech laboratories and began collection of MSDS sheets. OSHA training materials were purchased and a VT faculty training program was initiated.

1999

The College officially changed its name from Manor Junior College to Manor College. In the spring, the College hosted the biannual meeting of the Northeast Veterinary Technician Educators Association (NEVTEA), which show cased the video/audio streaming technology. Ann McClenaghan developed Animal Management and Nutrition (VT106) as a distance education course. Dr. Bassert received grant funding from Hill's Pet Nutrition to develop a CD-ROM of images for veterinary technician educators. "Serena" a mixed breed (female spayed) from the SPCA became the Program's mascot. Enrollment in the fall reached 104.

Throughout the 1998-1999 academic year, a three phase plan to computerize the library collection of books, periodicals and AV supplies was underway. Books were bar-coded and logged. A computer lab was established in the library for students to complete research and autotutorials. For the first time, on-campus students took VT103 asynchronously using the new computers in the library.

Also in the summer of 1999, Dr. Bassert developed a faculty handbook to facilitate hiring, orientation and instructional support. Much effort, that summer, was devoted toward obtaining an amendment of the PVMA's House Bill #1418. Ann McClenaghan began development of Manor's second on-line course, VT 106, Animal Management and Nutrition.

2000

In addition to the Program Director and the Education Coordinator, Dr. Christina Dougherty, adjunct faculty member, and Jane Zegestowsky, Chairman of the Allied Health Division, became advisors to veterinary technology students for the first time. A grant of $100,000 is awarded to the Program by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for continued development of distance education in veterinary technology. A thoroughbred mare, "Belle", was acquired for the program. Enrollment in the fall was 110 students.

In the Spring 2000, Ann McClenaghan taught VT106 as an on-line course for the first time. In addition, a formal relationship with the Montgomery SPCA was established by Dr. Bassert to provide adequate numbers of cats and dogs for use in VT 218/226, Surgery and Anesthesiology Laboratories. These animals were spayed and neutered and given routine medical treatment before being returned to the SPCA. Also this year, efforts to reduce the number of preserved cats used in the anatomy and physiology laboratories were initiated. Several Prosections were permanently preserved via the silicolyophillization process developed by Dr. Peter Ocello at Michigan State University.

In the summer of 2000, the College participated in a study initiated by the USDA, which monitored the movement of the West Nile Virus. Chickens were placed as sentinel birds at the farm and were tested weekly for the presence of the virus. The Program horses were also tested weekly as part of the study. Dr. Bassert received an additional $100,000 from the State of Pennsylvania to continue work on distance education. One hundred and ten (110) students enrolled in September, 2000.

2001

In May, Manor hosted the spring meeting of the Northeast Veterinary Technician Educators Association (NEVTEA). The College's Board of Trustees approved the creation of a second full-time professor position in Veterinary Technology. Dr. Sara Busch came on-board in this new position. Ann McClenaghan, CVT stepped down as the Education Coordinator, but stayed on as adjunct instructor of Animal Management and Nutrition. Elizabeth Brass, CVT became the new Education Coordinator. The Education Coordinator position was expanded from half-time to ¾-time.

During the summer, the multimedia classroom was refurbished and a new studio/office was constructed for filming and editing on-line courses. Dr. Francine Mallon became half-time subject matter expert and course developer of four on-line courses.

Dr. Bassert, together with Donna White of CD-Communications, completed the CD-ROM Images for Veterinary Technician Educators, which was distributed at the AVTE Symposium in Vancouver, BC. The books Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians (McCurnin and Bassert) and Clinical Anatomy and Physiology (Colville and Bassert) were published and released in July. Enrollment in the fall was 114 students.

2002

Liz Brass, CVT and Dr. Joanna Bassert joined a team of veterinary personel to assist the Navajo Nation at Crown Point, New Mexico.  The effort was supported by Americans for Native Americans and by Federal Funding.  Equine and small animal clinics were established providing preventive medicine, acupuncture and spay/neuter procedures.  In addition to working in small animal surgery, Dr. Bassert also worked with Dr. Cliff Balok, Director of Veterinary Technology at the Crown Point Institute of Technology, to assist with the application for AVMA-accreditation.

The Program received its 10-year on-site evaluation.  Full accreditation was reinstated.

The Program received $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for continued development of course websites in veterinary technology. Enrollment in the Fall 2002 included 112 students.

2003

The Program received $100,000 from the US Department of Education for continued development of course websites in veterinary technology. This is the first federal grant received by the Program.

 Renovations to the storage areas in the barn were completed including the installation of heating units, a washer and dryer, a new hot water heater, improved lighting and new wall shelving. Anatomy and Physiology courses I and II were offered for the first time. Filming of clinical techniques in VT226/218 surgery and anesthesiology was completed.

In the spring, Liz Brass and one student (Ashley Schmidtheiser Lester) returned to New Mexico to work at the Crown Point Institute of Technology’s preventive veterinary medicine clinic. Enrollment included 104 students

2004

New lighting was installed in the aisles of the barn. The classroom was renovated with a tile floor, new window, insulated door, baseboard heating, white board and a new ceiling.

Production of the videos for laboratories in VT105 Large Animal Clinical Procedures was initiated, Dr. Elaine hammel and Dr. Barbara Forney began writing and filming teaching video's in hematology and micro biology began.

In the summer, Liz Brass stepped down as Education Coordinator and Brandy Terry became the new Education Coordinator for the Program. On Founders Day, Brandy was presented with the Manor College Student Award for excellence in teaching; an unprecedented achievement for a first-time teacher.

 During winter break, the Anatomy Laboratory (Room 32) was gutted and renovated. New cabinets, student work tables, window blinds, and white boards were installed. In addition, a ceiling mounted LCD projector and a smart board were installed.

Enrollment included 112 students.

2005

In the spring, Dr. Elaine Hammel and Brandy Terry went to the American Southwest, taking 5 students (Larae Cunningham, Meghan Ruddell, Amanda Hedman, Alicia Carr and Kelly Dominski) with them to work at preventive medicine clinics in Crown Point, NM and in Sells, Arizona. During their time working on the reservations, the students and faculty befriended a yellow lab mix with perpetually muddy feet named “Running Happy Paws” and it was suggested (by Brandy) that the ANA Project be named after this endearing dog. Thus, Manor’s role in this important work has come to be known as “Project Running Happy Paws”.

The video modules for the Large Animal Clinical Procedures course were completed by Dr. Elaine Hammel and Dr. Barbara Forney, filming and editing by Tom Gillern.

Dr. Bassert organized and hosted the spring NEVTEA meeting, which was held at the Spirituality Center in May. Nancy Shaffran spoke about pain management in the morning, and in the afternoon, participants rotated through several workshops that discussed a variety of techniques used to treat pain in animals. Workshop presenters included: Brandy Terry, Vickie Byard, Wendy Curtis-Uhle, and Nancy Shaffran.

In July, the sixth edition of the Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, McCurnin and Bassert, was released. It represents the first textbook in veterinary technology to be published in full color. In the fall, Dr. Sara Busch’s new textbook Small Animal Surgical Nursing, Skills and Concepts was released. In addition, during this semester, Dr. Busch organized a two week preventive medicine clinic in conjunction with the Small Animal Clinical Procedures Course. This gave students increased opportunity to practice their skills in taking a history, performing physical examinations, administering immunizations, performing heart worm and Feline Leukemia tests and completing medical records.

In August, the Program’s teaching horse Donovan foundered severely (secondarily to Cushings Disease) and subsequently underwent a hoof wall ablation, tenotomy, a trip to the New Bolton Center and 10 months of stall rest.

Dr. Bassert and the Advisory Committee organized a body donation program. informational pamphlets for pet owners were designed, printed and mailed to local veterinary hospitals. Body donations begin to be received in the fall.

In October, Brandy Terry returned to the Crown Point Institute of Technology at Crown Point, New Mexico with Manor students (Leslie Sheppard and Liz Manko) to continue work with the Navajo in conjunction with Americans for Native Americans (ANA). During the same week, Dr. Francie Rubin accompanied students, Carolyn Eldridge and Julie Raymond, to Arizona where they worked with Dr. Ted Robinson of ANA. This was the fist time that Manor students had worked at the Hopi site in Arizona. A great time was had by all!!

2006

January 1, Dr. Joan Hendricks became Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

In February, Dr. Bassert, Dr. Busch, Brandy Terry and Marialice Stanzeski (Director of Development) toured The Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association (PACCP)'s facility and discussed ideas for collaboration and the development of new curricula in shelter animal medicine.

In March, the first VT Program Alumni Newsletter was released via mail and e-mail to all graduates of the Program of Veterinary Technology. This was the first program-alumni newsletter ever released by the College. The Curriculum Committee approved expansion of the radiology laboratories from 1.5 hours to 2 hours per week. The radiology lecture was decreased from 1.5 hours to one hour per week.

In April, under the auspices of ANA, Dr. Rubin returned to the Hopi reservation with students Nicole Hare, Melissa Peel and Leslie Sheppard. The students assisted with equine and bovine preventive medicine as well as companion animal spays and neuters.

In May, Donovan had enough hoof wall growth to accommodate a corrective shoe and was turned out in a confined area for the first time after 10 months of stall rest. Course outcomes, standard criteria, and laboratory task check lists were standardized and put on each course website under “Assessment.” The second VT Program Alumni Newsletter was released and was sent to all students, faculty and to the Advisory Committee as well as to Program graduates.

Dr. Bassert participated on the Steering Committee for College re-accreditation by Middle-States. She wrote narratives for standards one and six during the summer. She also wrote the biennial report to CVTEA, and the second edition of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians. Also, during the summer, Dr. Leon Menapace taught VT111 Anatomy and Physiology II (first on-campus course in VT offered during the summer) and he recorded audio for the VT111 lecture on-line. This was the first time this was done without video.

The microscope laboratory (Room 17) was gutted and renovated with funding from the Connelly Foundation.

In the fall, Dr. Bassert continued her work as part of the College’s Steering Committee for Middle States Accreditation. An IDEXX hematology unit was purchased and two IDEXX chemistry analyzers were donated to the Program. Students enjoyed the newly renovated microscope laboratory and the new automated equipment.

Students Susan Donnelly, Doris Wood and Debra Cirlincione participated in Project Running Happy Paws and worked with both Zuni and Hopi native americans and their animals.

Brandy Terry successfully completed the specialty examination in emergency and critical care nursing.

2007

In December, Dr. Sara Busch left Manor to become State Veterinarian for the State of Delaware. A new full-time position, Program Coordinator, was formed to include both teaching and administrative duties. Dr. Kathianne Komurek was hired in January to fill this position. Brandy Terry acquired her specialty certificate in emergency and critical care.

During the spring semester, two issues of the alumni newsletter were released and distributed. The Program was saddened to lose three friends as Frosty, Donovan and LeRoy died of old-age related problems. A memorial service was held in their honor in conjunction with the end of the year picnic. Three Service Berry trees were planted in their honor, one for each horse. Sara Dusavage (Team Captain), Jennifer Harrison, Kirsten Stajkowsky and Allison Wagner were honored in the Pinning Ceremony for their outstanding care of the geriatric horses.

Students Kirsten Stajkowski, Erin Mayer and Sara Dusavage participated in Project Running Happy Paws which was based on a Hopi reservation in Arizona.

In June, the Vet Tech Program moved its office from the Library building to the second floor of the Academic Building. Dr. Komurek began review and refinement of the program’s standard criteria. Program and course outcomes continued to be written and posted on line. Brandy Terry stepped down as Education Coordinator to become the director of an Intensive Care Unit at the Veterinary Referral Center in Frasier, PA. Beverly Bisaccia, CVT, a manor alumna, was hired as the new Education Coordinator. In July, Dr. Bassert, Brandy, Beverly and Dr. Komurek attended the AVTE symposium in Waco, Texas.

The Allied Health Division hired a new full-time biology and anatomy instructor. Jane Zegestowsky was promoted to Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs.