ROACH Program Designed for Student Success, Community Outreach

Walking into an operating room was a routine occurrence for fourth-year veterinary student Nicole Lehrmann. This time, however, she had a different role.

“Fourth year is a lot of watching and learning,” Lehrmann said. “We do a lot of our own research and paperwork and communicate directly with a lot of clients. But in terms of hands-on surgical skills, that is something that we don’t get a lot of when we’re doing our clinical rotations in the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMBS).”

When London, an 11-year-old female Chihuahua, came in for a mammary mass removal and a spay procedure, Lehrmann had the opportunity to take on an active role in planning and performing the surgery. 

Thanks to the Roach Family Student Community Outreach Surgical Program, Lehrmann — and many other fourth-year veterinary students — have opportunities to scrub in and perform select surgeries under the supervision of board-certified veterinarians and veterinary residents at the VMTH. 

The program was established in 2022 when Dr. Bill ‘57 and Joyce Roach committed to enhancing the education of Texas A&M veterinary students by providing opportunities to gain hands-on surgical experience while also helping community members who would otherwise not have the financial means for their pets to have surgery.

Since 2024, 17 felines and 71 canines have undergone surgery through the Roach program.

London’s Story

To qualify for the program, a dog or cat must be in need of a one-time surgery that would improve their prognosis. 

After hearing about the Roach program from a coworker, London’s owner, Javanni Owens, decided to apply.

“Hearing that my coworker had a good outcome with the Roach program made me want to try it out,” Owens said. “I decided this was something that would be good to help the students while  also helping London.”

Once London’s case was approved, Lehrmann created a surgical plan and presented it to Dr. Kelley Thieman, a professor and associate department head who oversees the Roach program, and Dr. Kiara Gilardi, a rotating intern, who supervised the case and ensured London was in the best hands. 

“We had that initial workup done and the blood work showed that she was a good candidate for

anesthesia, so we were able to do a sedated exam on the day of the surgery,” Lehrmann said. “When she wasn’t moving around (under sedation), London was relaxed and comfortable, and we were able to do an even more intensive palpation of her abdomen.”

During the exam, Thieman helped locate two additional smaller mammary masses that needed removal as well. Lehrmann then developed a plan that accounted for several different scenarios for removing the masses and closing the wounds.

“Dr. Gilardi did the spay and removed the smaller masses,” Lehrmann said. “I took the larger, cranial one because it took me a longer time. I’m a bit slower, but it was awesome.”

Lehrmann said there were no complications with the surgery, and she and Gilardi were able to remove all of the masses. London was able to return home the same day, and Owens was instructed to keep her calm to ensure proper healing of the incision site.

“Texas A&M made the process so easy and worry free,” Owens said. “Of course, we were worried about London, but they were really friendly and amazing at explaining everything. It was a weight off of my shoulders.”

Now, London’s stitches are nearly all removed, and she has resumed her normal daily activities. Owens said London’s recovery has gone smoothly, and she has received several follow-up calls from Lehrmann.

“She followed up really well and very thoroughly,” Owens said. “She even called me during the process to give me updates about the surgery and what to expect when London was released.”

The Future Is Bright

Owens said as a nurse herself, she appreciates how the Roach program gives students the opportunity  to practice with real patients when they otherwise would not.

“I was just in nursing school, so I understand wanting to practice, but it’s hard to do that sometimes,” Owens said. “That was one of the aspects of the Roach program that I really liked because I know that when I was a student, I definitely needed hands-on experience.”

As Texas A&M prepares the future of veterinary medicine, the Roach Family Community Surgical Outreach Program will remain an integral part of student experience as well as to the health and well-being of families and their pets.

“I encourage people to take a look at what procedures that we have available under the Roach program, because we have a ton of different procedures that can apply to many animals,” Gilardi said. “It’s important for people to just take a look and ask questions about things that might be a good fit for their pet with this program.”