Living/Learning Center
Programs
The University of Vermont
This year we plan to continue to expand the focus of the Animalia program to educate members on many different careers in addition to the traditional domestic animal care careers. Through community service, educational speakers and various trips, we plan to increase members’ knowledge of and hands on experience with, animal care and welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation as well as various careers in animal sciences. Although it is not the sole focus of this program, we do plan to educate members on necessary requirements for Vet- School admissions.
In selecting activities our program will participate in, our goal is to both benefit our Community as well as educate our members. We plan to continue such community service activities such as Northern Greyhound Rescue in St. Albans, Spring Hill Horse Rescue, and Craftsbury True Champion Sled dog race. All of these activities allow students to interact positively with people in the community in addition to gaining hands on experience with the care and welfare of animals. Moreover, we have brainstormed several new ideas that we believe will give members more exposure to different types of animals. For example, a guided tour of a zoo wildlife rehabilitation center would give students a behind the scenes view of the care and management of these types of establishments.
Overall, this program is designed to expose students to many different animal experiences as well as provide an environment where students share a common interest in animal science and can share their knowledge with other members of the program. It is our hope that members will play an integral role in selecting and participating in activities that will benefit their education.
To increase program members’
knowledge of general animal care and welfare as well as diseases that affect
different animals and the treatment of these diseases (all year).
ACTION STEPS
A. Members will participate in various educational trips a well as community service. For example trips to Rochester Equine Clinic, the Bronx Zoo, Veterinary care facilities, Miner Institute, New England Aquarium, and community service with Greyhound Rescue, Spring Hill, and the Craftsbury Dog Sled Race.
B. Members will watch videos on a regular basis that educate them on present issues in Veterinary medicine as well as wildlife biology. Members will also have access to a veterinary Medical Dictionary as well as several animal related magazines.
To educate members on the
various career opportunities in the Animal Science Field. These experiences will include but are not
limited to Veterinary, Wildlife, Zoology, research and many more.
ACTION STEPS
A. Members will enjoy presentations by Speakers from around campus as well as the Chittenden County Community about their own career choices.
B. Members will work along side other University of Vermont organizations such as the Pre-Vet Club, Horse Club, Dairy Club and Wildlife Society, to gain more specific knowledge on other animal related areas.
To expose members to the different ways that animals
contribute to society.
ACTION STEPS
A. Members will learn about the integral part that animals play in the environment, in both farming as well as the importance of wildlife in the ecosystem.
B. Community service with a local organization that provides assistance animals to persons with physical handicaps will give members the opportunity to see the way that animals can improve the quality of people’s lives.
As mentioned above, community service will be a major component of our program. Community service at Greyhound Rescue, Spring Hill, Craftsbury Sled Dog Race as well as fundraising for the humane society will be the ways that we use our talents and skills to give back to the community. Weekly trips to Greyhound Rescue give members the opportunity to walk, feed, and clean the cages of dogs rescued from euthanization after their racing career is over. Our service helps the dogs become more interactive and trusting with people, hence giving them a better chance of being adopted. Volunteer work at Spring Hill Horse Rescue will also be a component of our community service. The foals are saved from Premarin farms in Canada during the year and are cared for and adopted by interested horse owners. All of our services provide much needed help to the organizations as well as give our members hands on experience.
Dr. Josie Davis, Professor in the UVM Animal Science Department, has agreed for the second year to be our program advisor.