Chase Perry ’25 interns as veterinary technician at the Potter League for Animals

Chase Perry ’25, a biology major, is a member of the Environmental Club, the Surf Club and the Hydroponics Club. This constant engagement with things related to science, the environment and nature has led her to the Potter League for Animals, a local animal shelter on Aquidneck Island, where she is interning as a veterinary technician.

Combining science and compassion, Perry is using her knowledge of biology to help animals in need. Someday, she hopes to become a veterinarian herself.

Life as a veterinary technician

The Potter League for Animals is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the wellbeing of animals throughout Rhode Island. The Potter League for Animals helps over 10,000 animals each year, making it the most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state.

Working under the veterinarians and veterinary technicians at Potter League, she finds that no day is the same. Some days consist of vaccine distributions or cleaning equipment, and other days she assists during surgical procedures like routine spay and neuters — or even amputations.

However, Perry finds each job just as important as the other. No matter what, Perry is able to benefit the lives of varying companion pets like dogs, cats, mice and more.

Perry works with a variety of animals like dogs, cats, mice and more.

“During surgery, I am making sure that their temperature and breathing are steady, because certain animals are quite difficult to work with while they’re under,” described Perry. “So even small tasks like this are important.”

Community outreach is also prominent at the Potter League for Animals. Potter League holds pet food pantries, low-cost rabies clinics and fun events like an upcoming pet calendar contest. Perry finds this involvement in the community fulfilling, and these events provide an opportunity to help people and animals alike.

Using science for compassion

While working at the Potter League for Animals this semester, Perry has seen how important veterinary work is in improving the quality of life for the animals at the shelter. One example of this is how she has been utilizing enrichment toys for dogs to improve their health.

Perry creates toys called “puppy popsicles” and “busy mats,” two types of enrichment toys that are proven to be mentally stimulating while providing stress relief for the dogs.

“When they’re not out playing, it’s a good way for them to use their brains,” said Perry. “It’s nice to be able to go in and do something that will make the dogs happier overall.”

The Potter League also provides free surgeries to animals in need. Animals come in from all over the country. During Perry’s internship, she has seen animals transported from South Carolina, New Jersey and Florida. Perry gets to watch these surgeries take place. Recently, a Chihuahua had come in for a simple spay procedure that turned into a life-saving operation.

“There was a large ovarian cyst that was way too big for the small Chihuahua. When they went to take that out, they found she had never even been spayed. Her medical records were wrong,” said Perry. “Having this surgery actually saved her life. It felt so rewarding to watch.”

A bright future helping others

In the future, Perry hopes to continue on the path of veterinary medicine.

“My favorite part is watching an animal get adopted, because you get to see how happy the animal is and how happy their adopter is,” said Perry.“ Everyone is so excited. I just like seeing how happy it makes everyone.”

Perry’s experience at the Potter League for Animals has allowed her a platform to do what she loves by helping others. However, her recent internship at the animal shelter opened her mind to other possibilities as well.

“I definitely want to be able to work somewhere where it has that kind of energy, where everybody is working together to make others happy,” revealed Perry.

Whether it be people or animals in need, Perry looks forward to a future of helping others.

Article written by student writer Catherine Dolan ’23

Salve Spotlights is a series of people-centered stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Spotlights for more stories.