Veterinary student: ‘Heart to Heart’ relationship for dogs and pet owners

AUBURN UNIVERSITY -- An Auburn University veterinary student is developing an educational program to encourage pet owners to have their blood pressure checked on the same day they administer their dog’s once-a-month heartworm medication.

Michelle Goree, a veterinary sophomore from Deatsville, Ala. is working with Sarah Matteson of the Medical College of Georgia on “Heart to Heart,” a collaborative proposal submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its Healthy People 2010 campaign.

“One goal is to create posters and pamphlets that could be mass produced and placed in veterinary clinics,” Goree said. “Another goal would be to hold clinics at public places where medical students could check human blood pressure while veterinary students check dogs for heartworm disease.”

This February the Department of Health and Human Services will select the top proposals submitted this year. While winning papers do not receive funding for implementation, they are published to give innovative ideas to health care professionals. 

“We are planning each aspect of ‘Heart to Heart,’ from posters and information kits to heartworm test kits and medical supplies,” Goree said. “If anyone wanted to implement the program, we could provide all the information needed including a complete budget for 100 participants.”

She says a primary objective of the project involves improving patient compliance.

“Most people know they should have their blood pressure checked but they just don’t take time to stop at the drug store,” Goree added. “It’s easy to forget your dog’s monthly heartworm tablet, too. Hopefully our material would be a reminder for both.”

Faculty advisor Dr. Charles Hendrix of the AU College of Veterinary Medicine says such proposals give students a valuable experience with organized health care programs and an opportunity to have their work published on a national level.

“We have had six Auburn veterinary students win high honors for the past four years,” Dr. Hendrix said. “Many excellent ideas are presented by health care students from across the country, so it’s a tremendous honor for Auburn to place highly each year.”