What I've learned from Mercer - a student run veterinary clinic

Me with "Lucky"

 This past year (May 2011-May 2012) I have served as a Co-Coordinator for the Mercer Veterinary Clinic for Pets of the Homeless in Sacramento. I have really enjoyed this position as it has challenged me to actually run a veterinary clinic. Specifically, a unique veterinary clinic that is offered only once a month (every second Saturday), but struggles to offer referral services during the month to current clients with problems that need immediate medical attention.  Mercer is also unique in the fact that we don't have an actual veterinary clinic. We are based out of a warehouse at loaves and fishes in Sacramento. It's a large, covered area with surrounding outdoor area where we see patients. Every second Saturday, clients line up in our parking lot making a long line around the perimeter.

As a head coordinator, I was responsible for helping oversee the whole clinic. I quickly became familiar with every mercer officer position and was often able to step in when needed. I took an executive role in helping develop and implement new rules and protocols for the mercer clinic to help it run more efficiently. I was present at 9 out of 12 clinics and got there at 7AM, not leaving until 3PM each day. It was a substantial commitment in addition to veterinary school, my job and my life, but totally worth it.


Outside of the actual clinic, I was responsible for helping answer the phone messages left my mercer clients. This was very helpful in improving my communication skills with clients. The hardest part was returning a call from someone who was not homeless, but low income and didn't qualify for Mercer services. I realized that there are not really a lot of choices for pets owned by low income owners. I will address my feelings on this issue in a later post.

My classmates that served on other Mercer positions did a wonderful job and really put their heart into helping run mercer. Mercer is the responsibility of the second year veterinary students at UC Davis and we will soon be passing the torch to our fellow colleagues. I am confident that they will continue to provide the same services and even be able to make improvements on things we had just barely gotten the chance to implement. I plan to continue volunteering at Mercer during the rest of my veterinary career as a student and later as a veterinarian. 

The warehouse that houses Mercer

Mercer Website: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/clubs/mercer/