Eight turtles, five gerbils, two bunnies, two guinea pigs, two cats, two hamsters, two rats, two bearded dragons, one ferret and one mouse receive quality care and attention every day in Mrs. Dalton’s Pre-Veterinary Science class at Gateway Institute of Technology High School.
Originally established in 1999 as an agriculture program, the curriculum transitioned into a full pre-veterinarian program five years ago to provide students exposure to grown career opportunities in animal sciences. St. Louis Public Schools’ Division of Career and Technical Education provided more than $300,000 in renovations and equipment.
“The Animal Sciences program at Gateway is one of the few programs operating in the state of Missouri that provides excellent job opportunities for students completing the program,” said Frank Logan Sr., executive director, Division of Career and Technical Education.
“It also compliments the technical programs offered at the Gateway Institute of Technology.”
Gateway IT, a SLPS magnet school, serves as a college preparatory school following the national Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) model of education.
Students wishing to attend Gateway IT must submit a district magnet school application and pass through a lottery. Once accepted, freshman and sophomores master core subjects before proceeding to their junior year where a career pathway is chosen. This year approximately 40 juniors have elected animal sciences as their career pathway, but only 23 were chosen due to their attendance and science grades.
Juniors participating in the program will learn key concepts such as: Intro to Animal Health Care; Ethics in Veterinarian Medicine; History & Purpose of FFA; Equine Science; Poultry and Avian Sciences; Animal Identification; Animal Health; Animal Nutrition; Careers in Animal Healthcare; Leadership and Communication; Resumes, Job Applications, & Interviews; Clinic Safety; Clinic Procedure; and General Animal Care.
The 16 seniors enrolled in the program will continue their studies and learn Leadership and Communication; Resumes, Job Applications, & Interviews; Animal Handling; Animal Reproduction; Genetics, Diseases and Diagnosis; Clinic Procedures; and Clinic Safety before participating in an internship at places such as the World Aquarium, Grant’s Farm, veterinarian clinics, and grooming facilities.
The Animal Sciences program enrolls every participating student as a member of the Future Farmers of America and provides fun and engaging field trips. This year the students went to Lincoln University to examine the digestive track of cows.
To fund these activities, and hopefully the future purchase of official Future Farmers of America jackets, the program offers pet services such as animal baths, nail clippings, teeth cleaning, flea dips, furminator treatments, and day pet sitting services. Prices range from $2 to $12 depending on services requested.
Gateway Institute of Technology will be hosting a Magnet School Open House on Thursday, November 5, during regular school hours. In addition to the Pre-Veterinary Science program, the school also offers many career and technical education offerings that include certification in areas such as Certified Nurse Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician and the Federal Aviation Administration Air Frame Maintenance License.
For more information, contact Gateway Institute of Technology High School (314) 776-3300 or the Office of Public Information (314) 345-2367.
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