BATTLE GROUND, Ind. – The Bobbie Project reminds us that veterinary technicians provide quality patient care in a wide range of areas in veterinary medicine. When not treating patients, they can be found giving back and demonstrating the “we care” attitude for all animals. Nancy Thompson is a credentialed veterinary technician who works with animals that have cancer at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Mass. While all patients are treated with the utmost care, Nancy met a special bloodhound, Bobbie, who worked for the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department as a tracking specialist, helping law enforcement locate people.
Bobbie was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a type of cancer and was admitted to Tufts for chemotherapy. As with any patient receiving chemotherapy, human or animal, Bobbie continued to work while undergoing her treatments. During one of her treatments, a call came in for her help in finding an elderly Alzheimer’s patient who had wandered off. Bobbie, although weak from chemotherapy and the disease, successfully tracked the patient much to the family’s relief. Unfortunately, three days later, Bobbie was again admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure and pancreatitis, two serious complications. At that point, it was decided that Bobbie had given and endured enough.
Bobbie became an inspiration to all that knew her and a favorite in the oncology department. In honor of her memory, The Bobbie Project was founded. Funds raised provide police K-9 units financial assistance for medical procedures. The plan also assists with dollars for wellness exams, yearly vaccinations, heartworm testing and preventative care.
Veterinary technicians routinely give back, not only by providing quality care to all animals, but through involvement with charitable organizations such as The Bobbie Project.