The McAllen Independent School District is hoping a new partnership will open doors for their students.

"The CTE Department is partnering with South Texas College," McAllen ISD Technical Education Coordinator David Lyons said.

The district approved a two-year veterinary program during a recent school board meeting.

"Everyday you will need to come and feed your animals, once in the morning and at night to feed them, and walk them everyday," McAllen High School student Ella Hartzog said.

Hartzog knows her way around livestock.

"I started off with showing rabbits around 3rd grade and I just really found a love for it and I moved up to lambs and then heifers," Hartzog said.

Hartzog puts a lot of time into caring for her animals, and come August, she will be dedicating more of her time to complete a veterinary tech apprenticeship program.

"I think it is really important, because it does give you that upper hand when you go straight out of high school to apply to work at a veterinary office," Hartzog said.

McAllen ISD is partnering with STC to offer the free two-year program to a dozen students.

"Their 12th grade year in practicum of agriculture and that's where they are learning hands-on skills for the vet tech area," Lyons said.

Officials said students will learn to administer shots and other skills needed to help veterinarians care for dogs, cats, and livestock.

"They're also partnered with local clinics where they are earning their hours," Lyons said.

Lyons says there's a need for veterinarians in the Rio Grande Valley and says this new program is a stepping stone.

"There is a need for it and we are trying to meet that need by offering this," Lyons said.

The classes are free for the students and are set to start in August.

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