01-12-2009
PARTNERING FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS
Open House Showcases Alliance with Pima Medical Institute and King County Animal Care and Control
RENTON, WA - An Open House showcasing Pima Medical Institute's newly opened Vet Tech facilities at the King County Animal Care and Control, 21615 64th Avenue South in Kent will be held 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 26. The career college and animal shelter joined forces to provide needed equipment and care for the animals at the county facility.
The open house will begin in the Vet Tech classroom with local dignitaries, officials, Shelter representatives and PMI administrators touting the benefits of the corporate/county alliance, followed by a tour of the program site. The shelter, which takes in some 12,000 animals every year, has experienced budget cuts and the alliance will provide needed services at no cost to the taxpayer.
The new state-of-the-art facility is housed in a separate building at the animal shelter and includes a classroom, surgical suite, lab and equipment, including digital x-ray and special dental equipment. In return for providing needed equipment and manpower, Pima Medical Institute's Vet Tech students will gain valuable experience providing the animals with vaccinations and dental care, as well as assist in surgical procedures.
"This is one of those wonderful situations where everyone benefits," said Robert Panerio, campus director for the Renton career college. "The taxpayers receive outstanding services at no cost, the shelter receives top notch equipment, our Vet Tech students will gain valuable hands-on knowledge, and more animals will be able to receive the care they need."
Panerio explained that students who complete their Vet Tech program with Pima Medical Institute will receive 15 months of comprehensive training; they'll receive an Associate of Occupational Studies degree; as well as embark on a very rewarding career path in this growing field.
The new program is 63 weeks for day classes and 72 weeks for evening classes. The curriculum includes: veterinary technician nursing skills; pharmacology; radiology; surgical assistance; laboratory procedures; laboratory animals and exotics; large animal medicine; emergency medicine; general sciences and humanities; dentistry and a Veterinary Technician externship.
The Renton career college features 12 class/lab rooms with: computer labs for class and general use; complete Dental Assistant lab with up-to-date equipment; X-ray and darkroom facilities and a complete Veterinary Assistant Lab.
The 25,000 square foot campus offers programs for Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Respiratory Therapy and Veterinary Assistant. It is located just a few blocks from the junction of the I-405 and SR-167, and within walking distance of South Grady Way Park and Ride.
PMI is one of the premier medical career colleges in the western United States. The privately owned, accredited school provides students with a well-rounded education embracing theoretical classroom studies, as well as on-site training at medical facilities that mirror the working environment they will pursue after graduation.
PMI has been serving students since 1972, with campuses in: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mesa, Gilbert and Tucson, AZ; Denver and Colorado Springs, CO; Seattle and Renton, WA; Las Vegas, NV and Chula Vista, CA.
Additional information is available at http://pmi.edu or by calling 1-888-442-5998.
Media contact:
Beth Glick
480-610-6068
bglick@pmi.edu
