Large Animal Neonatal Volunteer

University of Minnesota
Veterinary Medical Center

VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION
Large Animal Neonatal Volunteer

RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary responsibility of neonatal volunteers is assisting the Veterinary Medical Center staff and students with simple patient care tasks for neonatal patients and their mothers.

Responsibilities include:
* Sitting with neonates for a four-hour shift. (Many of the neonates, particularly the foals, need to be restrained in a down position that optimizes their lung function. This requires care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including shifts that run from 7-11 p.m., 11 p.m.-3 a.m., 3-7 a.m., 7-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and 3-7 p.m.)
* Keeping the neonate clean and dry, like a human infant. (This is a critical but time-consuming task.)
* Observing the neonate for any problems, such as seizures or respiratory distress.
* Keeping notation of vital signs and basic body functions in the animal’s medical record and notifying the nearby veterinary technician to assess the neonate and facilitate patient care if problems arise or changes are noticed.
* In selected non-critical cases, and only when asked, feeding a neonate with a bottle, or milking the udder of its mother.

This position takes work direction from the neonatal staff members.

QUALIFICATIONS
* Must be 18 years of age and up-to-date with tetanus and rabies series shots
* Must provide evidence of health insurance
* Must complete orientation and training in April
* Must be willing to commit to one shift a week for six months (including a one-month probation period)

Initial training and ongoing in-service is provided by staff supervisor and other staff.

New Program Launched Partnering Horse Enthusiasts with the University of Minnesota’s Neonatal Intensive Care Program for Large Animals

On Wednesday, March 23, 2005, the University of Minnesota’s Large Animal Medicine Division launched a new volunteer program for horse enthusiasts. Volunteers from outside of the veterinary college will be assisting the veterinarians, technicians and veterinary students in the nursing care of critical large animal newborns. The cases are predominately foals, but at times include calves and crias.

A very enthusiastic group of people participated in the "maiden voyage" of our neonatal volunteer orientation and training, learning about basic restraint and nursing care, such as monitoring vital signs, umbilical care, bottle feeding, skin care, and milking dams. The volunteers will fill 4 hour shifts on weeknight evenings and around the clock on weekends, throughout the spring, summer and early fall, becoming part of our veterinary care team.