Bridgton veterinarian recognized

NORWAY —To be named the "Large Business of the Year"was quite an honor for the Bridgton Veterinary Clinic.

The Progress Center recognized the company for helping unemployed workers who have greater-than-ordinary challenges.

The Bridgton Veterinary Clinic was recognized based on its cooperation with the employment programs. Gary McPherson, the Center's director of employment services, said both employers went above and beyond expectations to provide positive experiences for the Center's participants. 

The awards are given annually by the center in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness .

Judy Huntress, office manager of the Bridgton Veterinary Hospital, says the practice's experience with the Progress Center work program has been "awesome."

Huntress tells of a Progress Center staff person who approached her asking if a person who was highly motivated to work at anything involving them.

The clinic hires people as "kennel assistants," who basically help clean up at the end of the day. It's part-time, two or three hours each day. It's a good entry into animal care and enables both employer and trainee to see if the person really likes animals enough to do more for them than just cuddle.

The Progress Center client was able to pass from job shadowing — just watching an experienced worker — to a work trial — actually being instructed and doing the job without supervision. In six weeks, Huntress says, the client was no longer a client or trainee, but an employee of the Veterinary Hospital. Her responsibilities, and hours of work, may soon be increased beyond the entry level.

"It turned out she's a natural," said the manager, adding that the Progress Center is arranging more training for the client to better qualify her.

One factor that Huntress likes about the Progress Center's placements are that a "job coach" is present when the trainee is onsite, to see that, while the client is learning the job, the work still gets done.

Fore Street Redemption was recognized as the "Small Business of the Year."

Two more Progress Center clients are currently being considered for work at the veterinary hospital, Huntress says.