Mineral Point FFA member, Sara Heisner, is the 2019 winner of the Wisconsin FFA Veterinary Science Proficiency Award.
Heisner has worked as a veterinary assistant at Military Ridge Veterinary Service since 2017. There, she helps around the office by answering phone calls, filing records, cleaning equipment, putting together kits and much more. When answering the phones she talks to many different clients to schedule appointments and answer questions. When scheduling calls, she asks questions to ensure that the veterinarian going on the call will be prepared and have the correct equipment and supplies to be effective.
Not only does Heisner work with customers over the phone, she also helps customers in the office. She often helps by drawing up prescribed medications and helping with discharge and post-surgery instructions for pet owners. This has allowed her to become more familiar with medication uses. Heisner has gained a lot of experiences and skills while working in the veterinary field that she hopes to use to become a veterinarian herself.
The state finalists in this award area received cash awards made possible by state-level sponsorship from Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.
Heisner will find out this summer if she is selected as one of four national finalists. If selected, she will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., in October. The four finalists will each receive a plaque and scholarship money thanks to national sponsorship by Blue Buffalo and the American Veterinary Medical Association.