Community and Culture

At Sierra Animal Hospital, we are community-driven and passionate about giving back.

The Health Careers Academy targets students who like to work with people and who have an interest in health-related careers. The coursework is designed to meet the needs of students who learn better when their classroom experiences are connected to “real world” experiences reflecting the career interest of their choice. The Health Careers Academy offers a rigorous academic program that meets the requirements for a 4-year college but also prepares graduates to enter a technically oriented curriculum in a community college or to enter the workforce after high school. Throughout the Health Careers Academy, the idea of life-long learning and work-based experiences will be stressed.
We are a community partner that allows students to shadow our doctors in order to gain exposure and experience.

ROP Animal Health is designed to give students highly individualized instruction in various areas of the animal health industry. The course combines classroom instruction with practical on-the-job training. Job- specific training is utilized through the operation of externships targeted to match students with occupational competencies. Students may attend a third semester of ROP Animal Health to earn the California State Veterinary Assistant Certification.

The mission of the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) is to preserve animal well-being and protect the public health and welfare by providing emergency veterinary medical care and expertise during the response phase of declared states of emergency.
Thousands of animals need care during and after disasters. Some 63% of California households have pets, including an estimated 10 million pet cats, nine million dogs, and one million horses. Other pets, farm animals, and wildlife also need assistance during and after disasters like earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.
Veterinary professionals are vital to animals during disasters. The mission of the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) is to preserve animal well-being and protect the public health and welfare by providing emergency veterinary medical care and expertise during the response phase of declared states of emergency.
Deployment is voluntary. Volunteers get involved at whatever level works for them – assistants are needed as well as leaders, part-time responders are as welcome as those who can help out for a week or two, plus there are ongoing roles in areas such as planning and disaster response.
Volunteer participation can be a matter of life or death for rescued animals and means the world to the owners of those animals.
Dr. Rapp has been deployed to numerous disasters including the Camp fire in Paradise, Sand Fire, King Fire, Caldor Fire, Napa Fire complex.

FFA stands for Future Farmers of America. FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education.
- Classroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning)
- Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (work-based learning)
- Student leadership organizations (National FFA Organization, National Young Farmer Educational Association and National Post-secondary Agricultural Student Organization).
As a FFA Advisor, Dr. Rapp has consulted and has a voice in the curriculum of our local high school’s FFA program. She assists with hands-on training that pertains to animal care and production. This may include working with advanced students in the anatomy lab.

As a 501c3 Non-profit, all-volunteer group... We depend on our dedicated group of volunteers, who are trained to work under the direction of the County Office of Emergency Services (OES) specifically through Animal Services, endeavoring to evacuate animals. We supply the volunteers, the trucks and trailers.
Dr. Rapp has been an active volunteer for years and has assisted with the evacuation and sheltering of numerous animals during natural disasters within El Dorado County.

Support ag youth through the county fair welcoming youth to present buyer letters and purchasing projects at the El Dorado County Fair Youth Livestock Auction
Participating in the annual women’s career day event at local elementary school
Our doctors are involved in the local agility community, understanding sport dogs' special needs