16 Apr 4 Paws for Ability at Cedarville University, Wednesday, April 21
The pharmacist’s role as a frontline healthcare provider has only increased in the midst of COVID. That means knowing how to interact with patients, including patients with unique needs. K9s at the Ville, a Cedarville student organization that works with service dogs in training, is hosting a 4 Paws for Ability event on Wednesday, April 21 at 5 p.m. to educate Cedarville pharmacy students on how to work with patients who have service dogs.
KaLynn Clark, director of volunteer engagement at 4 Paws for Ability, will speak about the importance of knowing how to interact with individuals with service dogs, as well as provide attendees with a broader picture of the organization and its mission. K9s at the Ville is co-sponsoring the event with the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), an organization dedicated to the pharmacy profession and to serving the underserved.
“I plan to share about the mission of 4 Paws, the difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs and therapy dogs, the types of service dogs 4 Paws trains, how they help and how to interact with a service dog in public,” said Clark.
COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing and masks will be in effect for the event, which is exclusively in-person for Cedarville pharmacy students and K9s at the Ville members. Members of the public who would like to attend online can do so through zoom.
“Some people have made inconsiderate comments and assumptions about me when I have a dog with a vest,” said McKenzie Brittenham, a fifth-year pharmacy student from Millbury, Ohio who currently serves as the treasurer and a secondary handler and sitter for K9s at the Ville. “Educating pharmacy students on this subject will help them in their future interactions with patients.”