Teaching The Next Generation

Typically the phrase “teaching the next generation” conjures visions of adults imparting their wisdom upon a room filled with youngsters. Though there are many Society programs that do focus on educating school-aged children about proper animal care, bite prevention, and other animal related topics, the offerings at the Society are so expansive that many opportunities ultimately impact not only today’s youth but also the next generation of animal professionals.

In partnership with The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, The Anti-Cruelty Society’s Veterinary Mentoring Program is designed for high school students with a genuine interest in veterinary medicine or animal science– related careers. As an academic program that exposes participants to a spectrum of topics and also to what college level course work may look like, the Veterinary Mentoring Program gives students an invaluable opportunity both to network and connect with professionals in the field and to determine whether a career as a veterinarian is the right path for them. Many past participants have gone on to pursue a profession that involves working with animals, and Receiving Agent, Jenny Nahrwold, has done so— right where it all started.

Jenny says her interest in the mentoring program was multifaceted; she was able to gain valuable hands-on experiences and was excited that the veterinarians facilitating the program were from the University of Illinois. Jenny still fondly recalls many elements of the program, including putting together mock suture kits, studying puppy growth and development, and learning to identify common animal diseases. Following her experience with the program, Jenny began her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois as part of their Animal Sciences program and com- pleted two internships at area humane societies. Her combined experiences led Jenny to obtain a job working as an Animal Care Technician at the Society. Within a few months she transferred to the Receiving Department and has been an integral part of that team since April of 2008.

 

Amanda Kowalski also participated in the Veterinary Mentoring Program. After college, Amanda was hired at the Society as a part-time Animal Behavior & Training Assistant. During her first few months, Amanda learned about the apprentice program offered through our School of Dog Training (SoDT). This apprentice program trains, mentors, and develops new instructors using science- based, humane training methods. When asked if her experiences in this program helped prepare her for her career, Amanda went on to detail how it gave her early exposure to the field of animal welfare, fostered her interest in animals, and helped her develop her talents in relation to animal behavior.

Though    Jenny’s    and    Amanda’s experiences at the Society started while they were still in high school, other individuals are well on their way to a career when they become involved. Dr. Julia Baehr has been a veterinarian at the Society for just over four months, but her involvement started many years ago when she served as a clinic volunteer prior    to    attending    veterinar y    college. As one of the few Midwesterners in her class, Julia knew that attending the University of Pennsylvania would pose challenges when it came to completing an externship for fourth-year veterinary students at the Society. Determined as ever, Julia petitioned her school and eventually was given approval that she could complete an externship at the Society for credit. Dr. Baehr is thrilled that she did because she gained extensive surgery experience and left the externship feeling much more talented and confident.

Dr. Baehr elaborated on her experience by explaining just what made this externship so unique: “During the externship students are also tasked with managing the care of a few sick shelter animals. The shelter doctors are always available to offer good advice, but generally allow the students to be the primary decision makers. “This is not only a great introduction to shelter medicine, but, for many students, the first time we are able to take on the responsibility of guiding our patients’ care, a role that we as veterinarians will play throughout our careers.”

 

Every year, 26 veterinary students participate in the extern program. Upon reviewing the ranking feedback provided by all veterinary externs, it is clear that Dr. Baehr is not alone in her sentiment; the Society was the highest-ranked rotation of the 26 rotations offered for the last two years! As an organization that knows the importance of having passionate and competent individuals joining the world of veterinary medicine, the Society is committed to offering this opportunity for years to come.

As Jenny discovered while in college, the options for individuals pursuing a career with animals are endless. In order to give students exposure to these opportunities and fulfill our mission of educating people, the Society offers a wide range of internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Internships are offered in many departments, including marketing/ events, accounting, and humane education, and while internships are unpaid, students receive college credit and valuable experience. As will come as no surprise, some interns are so influenced by their experience that upon graduation they decide to pursue a career with the Society.

Though the bulk of internships are designed for individuals pursuing their bachelor’s or master’s degree, on occasion, there are similar opportunities for high school students. This past summer, through the mayor’s summer jobs program, Aliana Gonzalez spent 100 hours in various departments at the Society. Upon completion of her time here, Aliana wrote a summary of her experience. This is an excerpt from that summary:

 

“The Anti-Cruelty Society is a lot more than letting individuals adopt pets every day. It’s like a human body. Outside it’s peaceful and calm and it looks interesting, but if everyone were to get a look inside, they would see how hard it works to keep moving every single day, and how important each part is.”

 

Aliana immersed herself in this opportunity and was clearly impacted by her experience. In the spring of 2012 Aliana plans to participate in the Society’s After School Program, and though no one knows what the future will hold, if history is any indicator, perhaps in a few years Aliana will be part of The Anti-Cruelty Society staff! It is rewarding to know that our mentoring programs are having such a strong influence on individuals within the animal welfare industry. Being able to take part in molding ambitious, passionate students into successful professionals is not only beneficial to those pursuing the veterinary externships and mentoring program, but also to those at the Society who are leading the next generation to a one-of-a-kind career. We look forward to furthering our mission by continuing our education to those considering taking their interest in animals to the next level.