STORY 1

From Bluffton Today

On their first day of class, the Beaufort Memorial PATH Career Development Center welcomed 24 University of South Carolina-Beaufort sophomores currently enrolled in the school’s nursing program. This class of '24 is the first USCB nursing cohort to use the center as a satellite location for the school’s growing nursing program. Their first day of class in the Center was Aug. 18.

Beaufort Memorial cut the ribbon on the $2.8 million facility in July 2024. The 6,340-square-foot facility located on the hospital’s main campus in Beaufort was built in partnership with USCB, the City of Beaufort, Beaufort County and the Beaufort Memorial Foundation.

While this facility is a satellite location for the USCB nursing program, it also provides hands-on training and classroom education for current and future health professionals. The Center's four simulation labs are equipped identically to Beaufort Memorial Hospital rooms, and each include a lifelike simulation manikin.

During recent simulations, clinical staff practiced their skills in pediatric respiratory emergencies and treatments, cardiac arrests and addressing some rare surgical complications under general anesthesia. These drills, mock procedures and hands-on learning experiences allow staff to practice clinical skillsets and learn new ones using state-of-the-art simulation technology right on the hospital's main campus.

Story 2

From WTOC

Beaufort County Animal Services is asking for the community’s help in finding homes for their dogs and cats. The shelter is nearing its capacity and can’t accept new dogs without the current ones finding a new home. WTOC spoke with the shelter about why adoptions are down this summer.

Normally, during the summer, Beaufort County Animal Services sees an uptick in the number of adoptions and new dogs entering the shelter. But this year, they are seeing the opposite, and their animals are left without a place to go. Over 100 animals call Beaufort County Animal Services home, but what is supposed to be a short-term stay has been extended for many.

“It’s just kind of scary at this point because we have dogs in crates in the hallway and nowhere else for them to go,” Head of Adoptions and Fosters for Beaufort County Animal Services, Kimberly Caffero said.

These extended stays have become a common theme over the past few months, and the shelter is now at max capacity.

“We’re not able to take in owner surrenders, so if something traumatic happens to somebody right now, I don’t have a place to take in their dog,” Caffero said.

The shelter has asked other rescue organizations for help, but they are running into the same problem.

“Nobody has space.”

Caffero says that factors like the cost of living, vet care, prevention, and supplies to care for the animals have gone up, making it tougher for people to adopt. Leaving the shelter to house the animals for a longer period of time, while trying to make sure they have the supplies on hand to care for them.

“We can’t even keep up with getting the supplies promptly.”

Now, they are calling on people to consider adopting or fostering a pet, but if they can’t do that, at least get their animal spayed or neutered.

“If you can’t afford an animal, don’t get one.”

If you are interested in adopting or fostering a pet, click here or you can give them a call at (843) 255-5010. Beaufort County Animal Services is also open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.