Small Animal Care
As the number of dogs, cats, and other small animals kept as companions increases each year, more and more people are seeking pet-related services. The specialization in small animal care prepares students to work in a thriving industry in a variety of occupations.
Under the guidance of Thompson School faculty, students of small animal care gain experience with small animal breed types, behavior, genetics, restraint, and training of dogs and cats. Through guest lectures and field trips throughout the state, they have the opportunity to learn directly from knowledgeable breeders, animal shelter personnel, kennel owners, and dog trainers.
During the first year, students cover the basics of grooming, nutrition, first aid, disease prevention, pharmacology, and toxicology. Then, in cooperation with local shelters, they also become proficient in animal care and health procedures. Depending on their career goals, students may focus their studies during the second year to emphasize veterinary work, boarding and grooming, animal control or humane fields, lab animal care and biotechnology, or human to animal bonding, with an emphasis on animal assisted activities and therapy.
Graduates work as veterinary assistants, laboratory animal caretakers, pet store and kennel managers, pet groomers, animal care and control technicians, and animal-assisted therapists.
