Purring over career plans

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 6, 2001

LEONARD GRAY

DESTREHAN – John Poumaroux III has his life planned and he’s already taken a giant leap toward making his future a reality. The 18-year-old LaPlace resident is spending many days and a lot of weekends doing what he loves best – taking care of animals. He’s an assistant at Destrehan Animal Clinic, working with Dr. Jack Moreau, and in the fall, John will begin veterinary classes at Louisiana State University. John, however, came to this naturally. Two years ago, while living in Kenner, his vet neighbor needed summer help and the teen-ager who has two beloved cats was eager to work. “It’s a hard job but it’s fun,” John added. “It can get really frantic around here.” There’s a number of teen-aged girls who work in the office, especially during the busy weekends. Being the only male besides Dr. Moreau in the office has its drawbacks, though. “The hardest part is helping to hold down mean dogs, especially when they are getting their nails clipped.” John has his tender side as well. With two teen-aged cats of his own (Fluff and Eunich), he commiserates when someone, especially a child, has to have their own kitten put down. He has also learned a lot about pets and their owners. He didn’t realize the money people often spend to maintain their pets’ good health. And there have been surprises as well. “I did not know people cremated their pets,” he said, by way of example. The son of John II and Merry Poumaroux, his work ranges from walking dogs, cleaning examination tables, sterlizing needles and helping with all the grunt-work which surrounds a veterinary office, especially one which boards 50-60 animals at any one time. John has to deal with the large dogs, of course, and has a special place for the cats, but also has had to deal with pets from ferrets to snakes. “I can’t stand snakes!” he said. “It’s a demanding job, but it’s a lot of fun, if you love animals.”