Having the chance to be close with exotic animals, learn about career pathways, and get a full day out of school – a Baldwin High School class took an adventure to the zoo on Nov. 1. Scott Crenshaw’s Veterinary Science class took a field trip to the Swope Park Zoo in Kansas City, Mo.
“The purpose was to meet with the veterinary staff and care-taking staff to explore career options in exotic animal care,” Crenshaw said.
The field trip helped students learn more about what goes on “behind the scenes” at the zoo. The veterinary staff especially went in to detail on the many procedures they take on the animals to keep them safe and healthy.
“If your heart is in it, the smallest amount of money or largest amount of poop scooping shouldn’t be too bad,” a zoo staff member said.
The field trip helped students learn more about all the options in Veterinary Science.
“Going to the zoo and seeing all they had to offer was pretty amazing because I didn’t realize all the career paths they had,” senior Tosh Mihesuah said.
This field trip is only the second of three the science class has taken.
“(On the first field trip) We met with an equine pharmaceutical veterinary to look at he’s world as a veterinary and also have a hands on experience with his horses,” Crenshaw said. “Students were able to learn about the anatomy, vaccinations, watch vaccinations be given, and actually take vital science on a horse. It was very interactive. We are going to the school of Veterinary medicine at K-State to tour the school, learn about the program, discuss pre-requisites and requisites for completing a DVM degree. After, we are going to get ice cream at Call Hall.”
Veterinary Science was started last year as a career pathway class to align with the state of Kansas.
“The curriculum itself is a multi-media interactive program with power points, information and virtual field trips,” Crenshaw said. “The class gives students the opportunity to explore not only the requirements to become a DVM but also to explore various careers that can be experienced with that degree. It’s a science class so there are studies of anatomy and physiology of various animals as well as management and breeding of various animals.”