Sharing “people power”
to improve animal care

That collaborative model is catching on. A similar synergy occurred when Duluth-based animal health company Merial partnered with Gwinnett Technical College to help support that college’s Veterinary Technology program.

“Merial is a leading, cutting-edge company in the field of veterinary science and medicine,” says Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Rigsby, “and this partnership is a true asset to our students. Not only is the company committing funds for equipment and supplies that will help make our classrooms and labs the best in the business, but it is also willing to share its people power and provide guest speakers to help educate our students.”

Over the past two years, Merial has valued its relationship with Gwinnett Tech enough to contribute $30,000 to help outfit a new veterinary technology lab.

“They needed money for lab space, and we needed to use our knowledge base in-house to get experience with teaching,” says Dr. Zachary Mills, Merial’s executive director of veterinary services for companion animals. “I needed the opportunity for my people to work with technicians to help their classroom skills.

“Gwinnett Tech has excellent facilities for seminars and meetings,” Mills says, noting that Merial has about 700 employees at its Duluth headquarters, and the company operates in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Mills says Merial finds tremendous value in the relationship, with Gwinnett Tech’s Veterinary Technology program filling a “desperate need” for licensed technicians in Georgia. To deliver quality medicine, each veterinarian needs a support staff of four licensed technicians, he says, “and qualified people are very hard to come by.”

“Their commitment is a real testimony to the type of civic-minded organization our area acquired when Merial moved here,” Rigsby says.

Mills returns the compliment.

“It’s a win-win for both of us.”

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