Small animal course benefits students, their futures

BY ANNELIESE M. GORDON, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD --  Blythewood High School’s Agriculture Department offers a small animal course taught by Mr. Tom Willingham in Room 404 which benefits students seeking a career in the animal science field or have a passion for agriculture.  

In the course students are taught how to train with the in-class puppies and the care, nutrition and overall health of general animals through lab work and hands on instruction providing many benefits for those enrolled.

“I am working on getting approval for a certified vet tech certificate for the students upon completion of the course,” Willingham said.

Although the 7th/8th block class is made up of mostly juniors there are some sophomores; however, many of the people in the course have the same interest in animals and the benefits the course will bring.

Junior Connor Hogan, like many of his classmates hopes the class may lead to a career.

“I want to be a vet,” Hogan said.

In addition to a possible career and educational boost, the small animal course brings a number of other advantages to the table.

“You get to meet new people and the scholarships,” junior Mackenzie Brewer said.

Willingham and his class agreed in order for one to be eligible to take the small animal course, they must have completed  an agriculture science and bio mechanics course.

Many of the students enrolled in the course however do not stop with just the small animal course but are also involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA) and other agricultural courses.

“The small animal class is just one of a series of courses, next is the Equestrian Science course for those that qualify,” Willingham said.

With so many different aspects of the small animal course it can be at times difficult to choose which part one likes the most.

“The puppies,” junior Morgan Cordier said.  

Nevertheless, favored aspects of the course can go even further than working with the puppies and the instructor.

“I did the Equine Science course last year which was also a favorite,” junior Blythe Clementi said.

Achievement in the small animal course is fairly simple with the biggest aspect seemingly being participation.   

“Yes, I would recommend the course to my peers if they like animals and don’t mind getting dirty,” Clementi said.

The class agreed there are lots of people involved in the agriculture department but the challenge is getting a majority to participate.

“Alot of people feel it’s just a class where you play with the puppies all the time but you have to put in work because the course does prepare you for your future career,” junior Brandon Dingle said.

Overall the small animal course not only prepares its students for their careers and brings them closer to their passions but does so in a lively and hands on way.