To start the week, the campers will learn what being a veterinarian entails - their duties, salary, and all the work it takes to become one. To introduce what being a vet is like, they are going to start off with learning how to do a basic exam - a technique every vet needs to master as they will do one on every animal they work with. 

All vets need to be able to stitch up an animal. This may be due to an invasive surgery or to stitch up a large wound. Knowing how to make precise, neat stitches is important to reduce the chance of infection or torn stitches. They will start practicing with large strings on suture boards then upgrade to real needles and suture string on a banana. 

For this class, campers will observe a spay or neuter surgery on a dog or cat. Cub Creek works with the local animal shelters and other rescue groups to provide free surgeries for their animals as well as neutering any of our own animals (such as our permanent adoptables). Campers will be given the time to ask the vet any questions they think of, not necessarily relating to the surgery. 

Giving vaccinations (and other medicine) is a regular occurrence in a vet’s office. Different medicines need to be given in specific ways so the campers will learn the different methods of administering drugs to an animal. After, they will practice on an orange. They will also learn the common vaccinations and how often they should be given. 

Every vertebrate has a skeleton inside them! The skeletal system is an integral part to being able to move and have functioning organs. Today, campers will learn how to identify the different bones in the body across a variety of species. Using diagrams, posters, and a live animal, campers will be tested on their skeletal knowledge before looking at X-Rays to see bones in a new light.

In this class campers will learn methods to catch and restrain animals for exams and injections. The instructor will demonstrate restraining methods including scruffing, lateral recumbency, and restraining an animal in the sitting position. Lastly, campers will discuss catching methods and will even practice their blow darting skills. 

The objective of this class is to teach campers different types of external and internal parasites. Campers will learn about internal parasites by collecting stool and skin samples from animals around camp. They will then learn how to properly use a microscope, prepare a slide, and analyze fecal samples to look for abnormalities and parasites. 

Same as the other two Jr Vet courses, they will have the opportunity to watch a surgery. One of our vets comes in and helps spay and neuter the rescue animals we bring into camp to adopt out at the end of each session. Campers are given the opportunity to ask an actual vet anything they want to know about their job and how to become a vet. 

This class focuses on basic first aid for animals. Animals (like kids) are very good at injuring themselves. They will learn how to identify the severity of different wounds and what a vet does to sanitize and properly treat/wrap wounds. Lastly, they will learn the common medications given to animals that are injured. 

The purpose of the dissection class is to give campers an introduction to internal anatomy by looking at a real animal’s insides. They should walk out of class knowing the many different organs found in the body, where they are located, their functions, and how they are connected to other organs. 

Campers get to experience feeding our bachelor colony of ring tailed lemurs and the cavies that live with them. Our lemurs love receiving snacks and will climb all over campers to make sure they get every morsel available. Campers are NOT allowed to pet the lemurs.

After spending time with the lemurs, campers can hang out in wallaby country to say hi to the animals there.

Nursery is an incredibly popular place for campers to visit as baby animals are irresistible! Depending on the time of day, nursery classes can learn how to bottle feed baby goats or how to be gentle with week old chicks. 

The end of class is dedicated to seeing our sloths and learning about them. Not many campers get the opportunity to visit them, as they are non/limited contact. 

Grooming knowledge is essential for veterinarians giving advice to clients. Depending on your comfortability and camper choice, the class can choose to groom varying animals (of varying difficulty as well). 

A well trained animal makes an easy (or at least easier) life for a vet. Help different animals around the Animal Area train to take part in their own vet care with Crate Training, Perch Training, and even just being leashed to be taken to a clinic.

Show off your nutrition knowledge by teaching campers how to make homemade, healthy treats for the animals in the Animal Area. On hot days, you guys can also help the Animal Team make icy treats to cool the animals off. 

We have a very cute group of otters that love getting attention from people (and there are lots of people that love to give them attention!). To control the constant stimulation, we schedule specific times for campers ot meet our Otterton Family through training and some touch.