CTE Has Gone To The Dogs…..And Other Animals Too!

September marked the addition of a new program offering at the TST BOCES Career and Tech Center with the launching of Animal Science. The primary objective of this course of study is to prepare students for a wide range of careers related to animal care. Students are taught both basic and advanced skills in such areas as health and disease, nutrition, reproduction, anatomy, physiology, parasitology, handling, restraint, and management. Specialized skills in such areas as grooming, animal handling, management and care are practiced with a variety of species. Students operate a grooming parlor that is used as a learning model for the handling and caretaking of animals. The curriculum in animal science was developed for students who have a desire to work with animals and, in many cases, geared to the interests and career directions of individual students.

As is the case with all NYS approved CTE courses, Animal Science was designed with the goal of teaching the skills that are necessary for college and career readiness. One and two year college programs are offered in this field at two year colleges including SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Alfred. There are a variety of four-year colleges and universities that offer this field of study as well. As for career pathways, students may follow any number which may include veterinarian, veterinary assistant, animal lab assistant, pet groomer, animal shelter worker, pet salesperson, equine animal specialist, farm owner operator and farm worker. Topics of study include, veterinary terminology, animal anatomy and physiology, animal genetics and reproduction, clinical exams, hospital procedures, parasitology, office management, laboratory techniques, animal nutrition, basic and advanced grooming, animal behavior, animal handling and restraint, exotic animal husbandry and animal nomenclature.