Small Animal Care and Handling

  • In this program, students help with the everyday tasks at Lollypop Farm. They clean animal cages and food bowls, wash blankets and towels, and handle donations. The program teaches important skills like teamwork, communication, problem solving, and basic work skills. Students learn how to handle and play with animals safely and learn about the responsibility of owning a pet. They should also be okay with cleaning animal cages regularly. These lessons take place both in the classroom and while working on-site.

AM Units of Study

    • Sanitation and safety in the workplace
    • Responsible pet ownership
    • Companion animal care, cleaning, and handling
    • History and domestication of dogs and cats
    • Identification of common dog and cat breeds
    • Identification of rabbit and guinea pig breeds
    • Pocket pets
    • Domesticated pet behavior through body language
    • Animal enrichment
    • Professional skills
    • Potential Work-based learning hours = 100 +

PM Units of Study

    • Sanitation and safety in the workplace
    • Responsible pet ownership
    • Companion animal care, cleaning, and handling
    • Animal health issues regarding our domesticated pets
    • Animal nutrition
    • Zoonosis
    • Required and additional recommended vaccinations
    • Wildlife rehabilitation
    • Pet first aide
    • Annual wellness exam
    • Professional skills/Leadership extension
    • Potential Work-based learning hours = 150+

Characteristics for Student Success

    • Students must be comfortable working with animals as they will be required to work with them in this program.
    • Students must be able to stand for an hour or more while performing their work tasks.
    • Students should be prepared to get dirty while working, as certain tasks may require hands-on work.
    • Students must be tolerant of strong smells and be able to work around loud noises that may be present in the work environment.
    • Communication, problem-solving, and basic work skills are essential for success in this program and will be developed through various learning activities.