South Florida high school program fosters animals, provides hands-on experience for students seeking veterinary jobs

DORAL, Fla. – From turtles to guinea pigs, hedgehogs and dogs, one South Florida high school is giving students hands on experience and the credits to earn a veterinary assistant certification all before graduating with their high school diploma.

J.C. Bermudez Doral Senior High School has 70 students enrolled in the four-year program that would provide the teens with the opportunity to earn 500 hours of clinic time toward a veterinary assistant certification exam.

“After completing my certification, I hope to continue my education in veterinary sciences and become a full-time wildlife veterinarian working at a zoo or rehabilitation center for wild animals,’ said Maria Canizalez, a student.

Students who successfully complete the program and pass their tests would be able to go directly into the workforce as a veterinary assistant or enter a post-secondary program, according to the school’s website.

The program fosters shelter animals and provides low-cost grooming services to support low-income families. The program aims to open its own clinic in the next school year.

“What I like most about the program is how rewarding it is to be able to help pets in need. Taking care of the animals we have is an amazing feeling to have. We had the opportunity to visit a horse ranch in Homestead called Equestrian Dreams. The owner showed us how to care for the horses and it really opened up my view of what I would like to do as a career,” said Canizalez.

The students even have a class cat named Griselda. She was found as a stray and was taken to the Miami-Dade shelter but has now found her forever home at the South Florida high school.

For more information about the program, click on this link.

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