In Companion Animal Care & Management, students consider common varieties of pets and their place within human cultures. By examining the process of domestication, species differences and management techniques we begin to understand our pets, their needs, and our role in providing for them. Topics include the history and process of domestication, breeding ethics, nutrition, management; animal rights issues, and health care topics.

During the fall, students in Zoos, Exotics and Endangered Species investigate species protection, management, and care through a multidisciplinary approach. We also look at the complicated issue of medically or surgically treating a zoo patient using a case based approach to zoo medicine. Students learn from cases based on experiences at the Oregon Zoo. For more information about our connection with the Oregon Zoo, contact Dr. Erickson directly. To see the Zoo on the web, go to: http://www.oregonzoo.com. Students also travel to a zoo or aquarium to experience the inner workings of the zoo and learn from the professionals who work there.

 

During the spring I teach an advanced section of Zoos Exotics and Endangered Species in which select students evaluate scientific publications, travel to zoo facilities, (see http://www.wolfsanctuary.com for an example of our travels) and complete a zoo-related service learning project. We also traveled to Cornell University (http://www.cornell.edu/ http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/ansci.html) and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in western New York (http://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/).  At Cornell, students participated in neurology rounds, attended "open house" and discussed veterinary medical cases with the faculty. At Rosamond Gifford Zoo we are treated to an exclusive behind the scenes tour with their wonderful staff.

We have also attended the Boston SEA Rovers (http://www.bostonsearovers.com) conference as a group. At this conference we were treated to lectures by Dr. Bob Ballard (http://www.mysticaquarium.org) and Philippe Cousteau (http://www.earthecho.org/).

We do participate in Roots and Shoots, a program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall at Western Connecticut State University. Each spring we were among the 40 invited participants who participate in a 1-hour closed session with Dr. Goodall.

In Companion Animal Medicine students are introduced to the art of diagnostic small animal medicine. Signalment, history taking and physical examinations are demonstrated and practiced. In addition, class discussion is generated from a series of case based sessions designed to illustrate specific disease processes. Students are expected to formulate treatment plans and predict outcomes for the cases. Students travel to the Humane Society of Chittenden County and participate in health checks for the homeless animals housed there. (http://www.chittendenhumane.org/ )

During the summer months, I offer travel courses during which small groups of students spend time examining  zoo and wild animal issues. For example, during the summer of 2003, students in the Wild Canids course spent seven days in the Adirondack Mountains. Students examined the behavior, ecology, physiology and cultural significance of wild canids in a variety of settings.

I also team teach a course in the Dominican Republic entitled Community Empowerment through Grassroots Organization: a Travel Study in AIDs Education and Batey Life in the Dominican Republic.

HIV/AIDS has reached epidemic proportions throughout economically and socially marginalized communities in the developing world. Where communities have successfully curbed this spread, education and social change through community empowerment are most often the crucial factors. This course gives students the opportunity to participate in an HIV/AIDS education and community development pilot project with the Batey Liberated Coalition in the Dominican Republic. Bateys are communities of Haitian and Dominican migrant workers that live in nearly complete isolation from Dominican society, and lack the most basic needs and human rights. Initiated by a group of University of Vermont students, the Coalition was founded as a vehicle for HIV/AIDS education, to combat racism, and build community pride and economic opportunity in Batey communities through the sport of soccer and the power of compassion.

Please see our website at www.bateylibertad.org for examples of our work and photo journals of our experience.