Pet Care Facility Donates Funds for Veterinary Assistant Training

The Western Piedmont Foundation is excited to announce a new partnership with Paws and Claws of Morganton.  

Heather Baker, owner of Paws and Claws, recently donated $1,000 to be used for sponsorships for select students who enroll in the veterinary assistant program at Western Piedmont Community College. The program is a 130-hour course that includes ten hours of clinical work to prepare participants to work as qualified vet assistants. The sponsorships will pay for all of the costs associated with the program, including course registration, insurance fee, textbook and class shirt.

Baker has grown Paws and Claws from a small grooming business she ran from her farm to the largest pet care facility in Burke County that offers grooming services, doggie day care and boarding. The business includes 70 boarding suites, a covered outdoor space and a special needs facility. Paws and Claws was voted the “Best Groomer” and “Best Kennel” in the 2023 “Best of Burke” contest conducted by The News Herald.

“The purpose of Paws and Claws is to provide exceptional care for the pets who stay with us in a safe and loving environment,” their website reads. “We believe that every pet should be treated like the superstar they are, and we take every step to treat them as such.”

The pet care facility also supports the Burke County Animal Services Foundation in a variety of ways. Liz Oliver, business development and marketing specialist with Paws and Claws, serves on the board of directors of BCASF. 

“Our main reason for getting involved is to help spread the word and raise awareness of our need for a new animal shelter and the community pet food bank that the current animal shelter operates to help families in Burke County keep their pets during difficult times,” Oliver said. “We collect donations for animals that are adopted through the shelter with beds, toys and collars.” 

 Paws and Claws also raised more than $20,000 for the new animal shelter by hosting two “Woof Stock” fundraisers at Silver Fork Winery. 

Baker said she hopes the sponsorship she donated to the Western Piedmont Foundation will allow people interested in a career in veterinary care to get started on the journey. 

“I was inspired to establish a scholarship for a pet vet assistant program out of a deep-rooted commitment to animal welfare and professional development,” Baker said. “Having witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion exhibited by my own staff toward the pets in their care, I recognized the critical role vet assistants play in ensuring the well-being of animals.

“By offering this scholarship, Paws and Claws of Morganton aimed to empower passionate individuals to pursue formal education in veterinary assistance, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals equipped to provide exceptional care to pets in need. This initiative not only enhances the quality of services at our facility, but also contributes to the broader community by elevating standards in pet health care.”

She expressed appreciation for the veterinary assistant program at the college.

“I think the program is great, because we do really need more pet care services in this area,” Baker said.

Rick Furse, WPCC’s dean of workforce development and continuing education, the department that oversees the veterinary assistant program, is grateful for Baker’s thoughtful gift.

“We are thrilled to partner with Paws and Claws in Morganton,” Furse said. “Their generous donation of scholarships will allow students to take WPCC’s veterinary assistant course, and in turn, provide well-trained vet assistants to organizations in Burke County. Our veterinary assistant program has been consistently one of the most popular classes in our continuing education division, and we look forward to using these scholarship funds to provide assistance to deserving students pursuing this vocation.”

To learn more about the veterinary assistant program at WPCC, visit wpcc.edu. To learn more about the sponsorship, visit wpcc.edu/foundation or call 828-448-3123. To learn more about Paws and Claws, visit pawsandclawsofmorganton.com or call 828-391-9880. Paws and Claws is located at 107 Craftsman Drive in Morganton.