On Valentine’s Day, Immaculata University students witnessed veterinary care in action, observing a real-life case at Ark Animal Hospital in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. This hands-on veterinary experience, centered around treating an injured feral cat, provided invaluable insights for students thanks to Immaculata biology professor Stephen Mason, Ph.D., and his fiancée, Maria Mick, VMD, an adjunct professor of biology at Immaculata University and veterinarian at Ark Animal Hospital.
Recognizing the excitement this experience would bring to his biology students, particularly those interested in medicine, Mason quickly extended the invitation. Despite the short notice and the holiday, three students majoring in biology—Mary Steinbicker ’26, Brianna Hong ’26 and Diana Geditz ’26—seized the opportunity to join him for this experiential learning opportunity.
Sharing the backstory of why the cat needed emergency treatment, Mason described how he and Dr. Mick have been helping manage an outdoor cat colony at an apartment complex that includes a mix of semi-feral and feral cats. On Feb. 13 they received a call about one of the feral cats who had severe neck and facial wounds. “Given the severity of the injuries, we knew the cat would need immediate veterinary attention,” said Mason.
Mary Steinbicker ’26 aids Dr. Mick as she cleans up Scrappy G.
Hands-On Learning in Veterinary Care
Reflecting on her experience, Geditz recognized the unique opportunity. “Along with neutering, Mick had to collect the cat’s vitals, give him his needed shots, chip him and give him an X-ray. It was fascinating not only to see the procedures firsthand but seeing how calm and prepared Mick was throughout the whole process,” she said.
Hong, who is interested in becoming an optometrist, added, “I have two pet bunnies and a puppy myself, so I am generally curious about animal health and what veterinarians do. I am also interested in medicine and… I was very amazed to see all the work that Mick did up close and in person.” She added, “She showed us, for example, how she cleaned the cat’s wounds and treated an ear infection it had. She treated him within roughly two hours, so I was in awe the whole time… and I will never forget everything I experienced.”
In addition to the medical education, Mason emphasized the value of these in-person experiences for students, particularly for those pursuing careers in the medical field. “Opportunities like this allow students to bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and practical application. Whether it’s understanding anatomy, microbiology or surgery, students gain insights that help them see their studies come to life.”
The cat, affectionately named Scrappy G, had a list of serious health issues, including testing positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) during the surgery. As a result, release or public adoption were off the table, so Mick faced a heartbreaking choice—euthanasia or personally taking him in. Ultimately, she and Mason decided to welcome Scrappy G into their home. Now, under quarantine, Scrappy G is healing and adjusting well to his new life.