GENTRY, AR -- At Gentry High School, the classroom is getting a little furrier -- and a whole lot more hands-on.
Students in Gentry High School’s Veterinary Science class are gaining real-world experience through a new program called “Teacher’s Pet,” providing free dog grooming services for the pets of Gentry High School teachers, administrators and staff members.
The program gives students an opportunity to put the skills they are learning in the classroom into practice while caring for some very special “clients.”
“This is a great opportunity for our students to get real-world experience,” said Veterinary Science instructor Wendy Jackson. “They are getting real world experience and learning the proper techniques; the same techniques they would need to work in a real veterinary clinic. It gives them the skills and experiences they need whether they want to pursue a veterinary science degree in college or go straight into the workforce.”
The Veterinary Science class is part of Gentry High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. Students participating in the course must have previously completed an Animal Science course earlier in their high school careers, giving them a foundation of knowledge before moving into the more advanced, hands-on work.
This year, 11 students are participating in the Veterinary Science class, along with five career practicum students.
For the initial rollout of Teacher’s Pet, students are working with two dogs per day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their services include bathing, de-shedding, nail trimming, teeth brushing, brushing and other clipping, grooming and shaving as needed.
The program is designed to be beneficial for everyone involved.
The dogs receive attention, care and plenty of interaction with the students. Teachers and staff receive professional-style grooming services for their pets at no cost. And perhaps most importantly, students get an opportunity to practice their skills in a real-world setting while their “clients” understand that the students are still learning and developing their techniques.
Gentry High School Principal Justin Blanchard was among the first to sign his dog up for the program.
“As a principal, I believe the Teacher’s Pet program is an outstanding opportunity to give our students authentic, hands-on experience running a business connected to our Animal Science Pathway,” Blanchard said. “Students are able to take on real-world responsibilities, including scheduling, record keeping, customer service, and other tasks involved in operating a dog grooming business.”
Blanchard said the program represents more than simply learning how to care for animals.
“Teacher’s Pet is a tangible example of our district’s vision of providing ‘a world-class education with a small-town feel,’” he said. “Our students are gaining valuable career skills while serving families in our community.”
That combination of career preparation and hands-on learning is one of the strengths of Career and Technical Education programs.
CTE courses give students opportunities to explore potential careers while they are still in high school and develop skills that can be difficult to learn solely through a traditional classroom experience. Students can practice technical skills while also learning about communication, teamwork, customer service, responsibility and the expectations of a professional workplace.
For students interested in veterinary medicine and animal care, those experiences can provide an important head start.
And those opportunities can lead directly into careers close to home.
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, grooming businesses and other animal-related careers provide employment opportunities throughout Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding region. For students who eventually want to become veterinarians, veterinary technicians or pursue other careers involving animal care, the experience they gain through programs like Teacher’s Pet can help them better understand the profession and prepare for their next step after graduation.
“Our students are really excited about this class and the Teacher’s Pet program,” Jackson said. “We’re excited to give them the skills they need to have meaningful opportunities after they graduate.”
As a customer, Blanchard has also gotten to see the program from the other side.
His dog, Laramie, was one of the first dogs to participate in Teacher’s Pet.
“As a customer, I can personally say that our dog, Laramie, had a wonderful experience with the Teacher’s Pet program,” Blanchard said. “She was well cared for, and she looked great when we picked her up! She loved all the pets and the smiles from the students who cared for her throughout the day.”
As the program grows, so will its reach.
The Veterinary Science program hopes to eventually expand the number of dogs participating in Teacher’s Pet, giving students even more opportunities to practice their skills and work with different breeds, sizes and grooming needs.
The program also has plans for an additional feature: a small dog park adjacent to the school where participating dogs could have additional opportunities for activity and interaction with students.
It is one more way Gentry High School is connecting classroom learning with the world beyond graduation.
For the students in Veterinary Science, Teacher’s Pet is more than an opportunity to groom a dog. It is an opportunity to learn how to work with animals, interact with clients, develop confidence and practice the techniques they may someday use as professionals.
And for a school focused on preparing students for life after high school, that's exactly the kind of learning that belongs in a CTE classroom.