Saturday, June 14, 2025
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
UMaine Extension Somerset County Office
7 County Drive, Skowhegan, ME 04976 (Google Maps)
Cost: $35-$50 (sliding scale)
Join us for a workshop focused on practical veterinary skills for small ruminants, including sheep and goats. This training is designed for farmers who want to improve the health and productivity of their herds through better preventative care and early intervention.
Classroom lecture on:
- Biosecurity and Disease Preparedness
- Common Health Issues: Identification and management of prevalent conditions such as parasites, respiratory infections, mastitis, foot rot, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Vaccination Protocols: Recommended vaccines, proper storage and handling, and vaccination schedules.
Practical Skills Demonstration:
- Taking vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiration)
- Drawing blood safely and effectively
- Body condition scoring (BCS)
- Administering vaccinations via different routes (subcutaneous, intramuscular)
Why These Skills Matter:
Early detection of illness and timely interventions can significantly reduce mortality, improve productivity, and lower treatment costs. By learning how to assess animal health and deliver basic veterinary care, you can enhance herd wellbeing, ensure animal welfare, and make informed decisions on when to seek veterinary support.
Instructor information:
Dr. Jessica Matulis is a clinical veterinarian who has been in mixed animal practice since graduating from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2008. She serves on the Animal Welfare Advisory Council, the Pull Events Commission, and is on the Maine Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors. She recently established a 4-H troop for her town of Vassalboro. She enjoys spending time with her family, taking mixed martial arts, and helping her children show their goats at local fairs.
This webinar is part of a grant funded by USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) in collaboration with Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Animal Health Program.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Sue Baez at sue.baez@maine.edu or 207.667.8212 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however, all requests will be considered.