Margaret Wheeler LVT
63 Blackberry Hill Road, Berwick, ME 03901 USA
Tel: 207-332-3086 Email: pwheelerlvt@gmail.com
KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
- 8 years as Program Director/Department Chair and faculty member at York County Community College in Wells, ME. Position included developing curriculum for a brand new veterinary technology program, developing relationships with clinical partners, advising students, developing equipment and resources, developing and managing a budget, ordering and tracking supplies, recruiting and hiring of program adjuncts, and preparing the self-study. Our work towards accreditation culminated in March of 2016 when the program was Initial Accreditation. Then began developing an Associate's Degree program in Animal Care and Management that saw it's first graduates in May of 2020.
- 18 years as Adjunct Faculty, Instructor at Thompson School of Applied Science, UNH, including the development and application of a new upper level applied animal science business course.
- 20 years as Business Owner/Manager of The Critter Barn Inc. then restructured as Red Barn Professional Pet Services LLC and Berwick Animal Shelter L3C, including management of all finances and employees with a staff ranging up to eight employees. Closed in 2016 to devote more time to program development at York County Community College.
- 2 years working in worldwide customer support for IDEXX Labs.
- 15 years working as a veterinary technician in veterinary clinics from New England to Arizona.
EDUCATION:
2012-2015 - University of Southern Maine, Master's in Adult and Higher Education
2013-2015 - PennFoster College, AAS in Veterinary Technology, Summa Cum Laude
1978-1982 - University of New Hampshire, BS in Animal Science, BS in Environmental Conservation
1989 - Franklin Pierce College, Course work in Secondary Biology Education
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Authored a product for Cengage (educational published), Preparation for the Veterinary Technician National Exam
Three Peer Reviewed Papers Published in JAVTE (Subject matter: Building Practicums, Professionalism Assessment, and a collaboration with Temple Grandin on Choosing the Right Math for Veterinary Technicians)
Currently President/Founding Member of the Maine Veterinary Technician's Association
Currently Serving on the YCCC Inclusiveness, Diversity and Equity Task Force
Currently Serving as President of the Noble Boys Basketball Boosters
Served on the YCCC Faculty Union (2 terms as president), Faculty Management Team, Strategic Development Committee, Advising Committee (2 years as Chair) and College Council
Received Scholarship to attend the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians Fall Conference at Purina, St. Louis, MO 2014
Association of Veterinary Technician Educator Biennial Symposium - attended 2013, 2015 and 2019
School Board Director (MSAD 60) Served 4 elected terms (2 terms as Chair)
Previously served on Teacher Negotiation Committee, Administrative Negotiating Committee, Budget Committee, Code of Conduct Committee
Previous President/Founder of New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association.
Many years of service on local PTA's, PTSA's, Recreation Commission
Served two-3 year terms on the Berwick Board of Selectmen,
Past Chair of Police Advisory Committee,
Past Chair of Town Heritage Festival,
Chair of town Recycling Committee for 5 years
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
National Association of Veterinary Technician Educators
American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians
Maine NAACP
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2013 - Present Full time Faculty and Department Chair/Program Director of Veterinary Technology at York
County Community College. Responsible for complete curriculum development, student
advisement, equipment procurement, management of inventory and disposables, development
and management of a Board of Advisors and an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee,
act as advisor for the student Veterinary Technology Club, prepare for USDA registration and
maintain requirements, coordinate all student clinicals, recruit, interview, hire and evaluate all
program adjunct faculty, assess and choose textbooks, develop and implement program budget,
develop program self-study and prepare for accreditation site visit that occurred in Spring of 2016.
At that time the program was awarded Initial Accreditation.
2008 – 2015 Adjunct Faculty at Thompson School of Applied Science at the University
of New Hampshire. Instructor for Introduction to Applied Animal Science with Study Skill
Curriculum, Applied Animal Nutrition, Introduction to Small Animal Business Applied
Animal Science, Study Concepts in Animal Business (developed and implemented this upper
level course.) and Small Animal Management.
2012 – 2016 As of 2/2012 Owner and Manager of Red Barn Professional Pet Services
LLC and Berwick Animal Shelter and Educational Resource Center L3C. I dissolved The
Critter Barn Inc in order to downsize the business. My business no longer includes the
enterprise of selling farm feeds and supplies but is focused solely on pet grooming, board and
the animal shelter services that we have provided for years. I separated the two entities in
order to file 501c3 for the animal shelter efforts, which I completed myself. Intent of
restructuring is to allow business to operate under oversight of employees until eventually
selling the business. Currently listed with a kennel/stable broker.
1994-2012 Owner and manager of The Critter Barn Inc. in Berwick, Maine. This was a pet
grooming and boarding business that also operated a retail store that marketed farm and pet feeds and supplies. In addition the business bred/sold goats, donkeys, rabbits, and draft horses. Some horse-drawn hayrides and carriage rides were offered as well. Also offered services to the town of Berwick for holding stray dogs and managing other stray animal issues. Management of the business included employee management ranging from 1-8 full or part-time employees at different times.
1996-2000 University of New Hampshire, Thompson School of Applied Science. Veterinary Technician in charge of teaching the Small Animal Grooming Program.
1992-1995 - IDEXX Labs, Westbrook, Maine. Technical Support Representative. Provided world-wide technical support for all IDEXX Labs veterinary diagnostic products including in-house assays as well as laboratory chemistry analyzers. Often provided 24 hour support by pager.
1988-1992 Milton Veterinary Clinic, Milton, NH. Veterinary Technician.
1983-1988 Central Park Veterinary Clinic, Dover, NH. Veterinary Technician.
1983 Aspen Veterinary Clinic, Flagstaff, AZ. Veterinary Technician.
1982-1983 Cocheco Valley Humane Soc. Shelter Manager.
1978-1982 Central Park Veterinary Hosp. Veterinary Technician.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
I have a great deal of energy and personal drive which I put it into whatever task I accept. I am anxious to move in to a new career that will allow me a chance to utilize the skills I have developed in my educational and work experience including as a business owner and educator. I am continuing my education in order to develop new strategies for effectively communicating information of all types to both/either students or clients in an educational or professional environment.
REFERENCES:
Professional:
Brion Reagor, DVM, Lucky Pet Animal Hospital, Berwick, ME 207-698-5225
Laurie Chapman-Bosco, Program Chair, Applied Animal Science, Thompson School of
Applied Science, UNH, Durham, NH 603-862-1025
Deme Erickson, DVM, TNT Equine, Dover, NH 603-749-4077
Others available upon request.