Faster Spaying and Neutering: New Kensington Clinic Trains Vets in Efficient Shelter Techniques
Local Vet Shares Life-saving Surgical Techniques with Colleagues Nationwide
New Kensington, PA – Dr. Becky Morrow, founder of Frankie’s Friends, a non-profit veterinary clinic and medical rescue for cats, is on a mission to improve feline care across the country. Beyond her work at the clinic, Morrow is sharing her expertise in high-volume, efficient spay and neuter techniques with veterinarians and veterinary assistants through hands-on training sessions.
“It’s a really cool world to be in, and just being able to help animals in all these ways is my whole goal,” Morrow said.
With 26 years of experience, including 17 years dedicated to shelter medicine, Morrow recognizes the unique challenges faced by veterinarians in high-demand settings.
“What we’re trying to do is provide an experience that allows them to have the ability to improve their skills,” Morrow explained. “We’re taught how to spay and neuter in veterinary school, but we’re not taught in the moast efficient ways.”
During a recent two-day training session at Frankie’s Friends, veterinarians from across the country gathered to learn Morrow’s specialized techniques.
One key element of Morrow’s approach is minimizing incision size during spaying procedures. This seemingly small change substantially reduces surgery time, allowing veterinarians to treat more cats efficiently.
“It’s really just decreasing the incision size that saves a ton of time because you’re not closing that entire length of the incision,” Morrow said.”It’s a much smaller hole to close with one suture — or one knot called a cruciate — instead of having a whole line of sutures.”
Morrow also demonstrated a streamlined method for tying off blood vessels during spaying, comparing it to “tying off a balloon.”
These time-saving techniques are crucial in shelter settings where resources are frequently enough stretched thin. Morrow’s goal is to empower veterinarians with the skills to provide high-quality care to a larger number of animals.
“Shelter medicine is its own specialty, and we have various ways that will make you a better surgeon,” she said.
The training sessions are designed to be interactive and supportive. Participants practice on stuffed animals, honing their knot-tying and incision skills under Morrow’s encouraging guidance.
Alison Osman, a vet assistant at Frankie’s Friends, attested to Morrow’s positive teaching style.
“I came to one of the classes and I just fell in love with it,” Osman said.
Frankie’s Friends sees a high volume of cats daily,frequently enough treating 30 to 50 animals,along with providing care for dogs several days a week.The training sessions not onyl benefit individual veterinarians but also contribute to the overall well-being of countless animals in need.
The clinic hosts these valuable workshops every other month, attracting participants from across the country. Morrow hopes to expand the program, welcoming more students and continuing to share her expertise with the next generation of veterinary professionals.
“My goal is to get more students plus have these great workshops as well,” Morrow said. “I want to get more students so they come out with that skill so they can build on it.”
Local Vet Shares Life-Saving Surgical Techniques with Colleagues Nationwide
New Kensington, PA – Dr. Becky Morrow, founder of Frankie’s Friends, a non-profit veterinary clinic and medical rescue for cats, is on a mission to improve feline care across the country. Beyond her work at the clinic,Morrow is sharing her expertise in high-volume,efficient spay and neuter techniques with veterinarians and veterinary assistants through hands-on training sessions.
“It’s a really cool world to be in, and just being able to help animals in all these ways is my whole goal,” Morrow said.
With 26 years of experience, including 17 years dedicated to shelter medicine, Morrow recognizes the unique challenges faced by veterinarians in high-demand settings.
“What we’re trying to do is provide an experience that allows them to have the ability to improve their skills,” Morrow explained. “We’re taught how to spay and neuter in veterinary school, but we’re not taught in the most efficient ways.”
During a recent two-day training session at Frankie’s Friends, veterinarians from across the country gathered to learn Morrow’s specialized techniques.
One key element of Morrow’s approach is minimizing incision size during spaying procedures. This seemingly small change substantially reduces surgery time, allowing veterinarians to treat more cats efficiently.
“It’s really just decreasing the incision size that saves a ton of time as you’re not closing that entire length of the incision,” Morrow said. ”it’s a much smaller hole to close with one suture — or one knot called a cruciate — instead of having a whole line of sutures.”
Morrow also demonstrated a streamlined method for tying off blood vessels during spaying, comparing it to “tying off a balloon.”
These time-saving techniques are crucial in shelter settings where resources are frequently stretched thin. Morrow’s goal is to empower veterinarians with the skills to provide high-quality care to a larger number of animals.
“Shelter medicine is its own specialty,and we have various ways that will make you a better surgeon,” she said.
The training sessions are designed to be interactive and supportive. Participants practice on stuffed animals, honing their knot-tying and incision skills under Morrow’s encouraging guidance.
Alison Osman, a vet assistant at Frankie’s Friends, attested to Morrow’s positive teaching style.
“I came to one of the classes and I just fell in love with it,” Osman said.
Frankie’s Friends sees a high volume of cats daily, frequently treating 30 to 50 animals, along with providing care for dogs several days a week. The training sessions not only benefit individual veterinarians but also contribute to the overall well-being of countless animals in need.
The clinic hosts these valuable workshops every other month, attracting participants from across the country. Morrow hopes to expand the program, welcoming more students and continuing to share her expertise with the next generation of veterinary professionals.
“My goal is to get more students plus have these great workshops as well,” Morrow said. “I want to get more students so thay come out with that skill so they can build on it.”