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Image courtesy of Norfolk County Sheriff's Office. On the left of two graduates in yellow are two officers, the assistant superintendent and Sheriff Tompkins. To their right are a Center veterinarian and Sheriff McDermott.
2-18-2022 6:30pm
First Class of Justice-Involved Females Graduate as Vet Techs from New England Wildlife Center through Program from Sheriff's Offices
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Friday, February 18, 2022 was a milestone for three ladies and the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, as the first class of female justice-involved individuals graduated from their animal care job-training program at the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth. This is the first time the two sherriff's offices have collaborated to provide this pilot program to females.
The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office has worked with the New England Wildlife Center since 2014 to put on programs for justice-involved individuals. The center is a non-profit care-based science education organization that provides critical veterinary treatment to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. It also educates people of all ages on how to preserve nature for future generations.
This is the first year that the program has been made available to female participants, in coordination with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
“This has long been one of our most successful job-training programs, and I am glad that we have been able to work with the Sheriff Tompkins and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office to make it available to our female justice-involved individuals,” said Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott. “This program opens up opportunities for these women by providing education, training, and skills that prepare them for careers in veterinary care.”
Participants in the program are specially selected. They travel to the New England Wildlife Center for the six-week program to work directly with the center's veterinary team. They learn how to care for wild animals that are brought to the center. Tasks can include feeding, administering medicine, and gathering vitals. After the participants successfully complete the program, they are awarded a veterinary technician certification.
Thanks to the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office for sharing its news with Westwood Minute.
