Dr. Dean Rice Veterinary & HUman Health Program

Activities 

associated with the program!

In keeping with the exposure to real world scenarios, we offer the following activities that will assist in applying knowledge from every level of the program. We are always identifying options to help support our students through up-to-date knowledge on veterinary medicine, human health issues, and conservation. It is important for our students to have a working knowledge of the information we give them and how to apply it to support and save animals and/or people in the world around them. 

Academic Partners & Tours

We generally try to schedule tours for the Animal Diseases and Clinicals classes to help with exposure and networking opportunities with local veterinary clinics and places such as Arizona Humane Society. We also offer a Fall Rotation program for Clinicals students, which in the past has included AlteredTails, Arizona Animal Welfare League, Arizona Humane Society and Midwestern School of Veterinary Medicine's TNR Spay/Neuter Clinics. 

Elephant Preserve Trip: Texas

We take two trips a year to The Preserve in Fredericksburg, TX. Our program founder, Dr. Dean Rice was a Board Member for many years. Our students have daily interactions with the elephants, giraffe, and other animals on the site. This trip is very hands-on. The average cost in the past for the student is $1200*. Their website: https://www.visitthepreserve.com/

Classroom Activities

We have special guest lectures from industry professionals on various related subject matter. Some of our instructors have animal presentations from local groups and organizations in the wildlife and domestic animal fields. We have in class labs that support real-world activities like restraint of a dog and cat, injection labs, suture labs, fecal labs and more.  

South Africa Experience: A Conservation & Veterinary Science Trip

AAEC has developed an intense program where 12 students travel to South Africa to experience working with a world renowned veterinarian in the fields of Conservation and Veterinary Medicine - Dr. William Fowlds. 

Students interested should be enrolled in the Dr. Dean Rice Veterinary & Human Health Program at one of the AAEC Campus locations this includes the Online campus. For those students who are Online, we encourage you to apply. The student should have a strong interest in pursuing a career either in veterinary medicine/science, conservation, and/or ecology. Priority applicants are Juniors and Seniors, but we encourage Freshmen and Sophomores to apply. All students chosen take a special class offered at AAEC called Vets Go Wild, taught by Dr. William Fowlds. This class prepares the students for the trip by giving background knowledge on conservation, One Health, and other concepts necessary to have a successful and fun experience. This is a life changing and once in a lifetime experience for the students. This trip cost for students has ranged from $5950 - $6545*. The website: DrDeanRice.org

** For the trips, both can be paid for with Arizona Tax Credits. This is an easy way to pay for the trips and have minimal cost come our of a parent's pocket.