Today, this day gives campers a chance to see and learn a little bit about every animal in the Jungle to decide which animal they want to adopt. After a camper choses an animal, they are given the animal information and workbooks to learn more. They will complete a short activity sheet on their adopted animal and learn about the other animals from the rest of the class. 

This day of the course is all about the importance of nutrition for an animal. In the wild, animals are designed to eat what is around them, but in captivity they are eating what humans can provide, which isn’t always the same stuff. Nutrition is a fundamental biological need in order for animals to stay healthy. 

Photographers also come around and take pictures of all the campers with their adopted animals. You are expected to help them during this activity because it can be stressful for people and animals alike. 

Sometimes interacting with animals can be fun and games! Today is all about animal mental health and how providing proper enrichment as well as training animals helps animals feel like they have more control over their environment, participate in more human-animal interactions, and feel generally more comfortable in their home. 

As an animal caretaker, it is vital to understand what an animal looks like when they are healthy versus when they are not. It is even more difficult in wild species (as opposed to domestic species), so sharp observation skills are needed. While there are many ways an animal is kept healthy, a properly set up enclosure is the first step to housing any captive animal. Campers will learn about the standard items needed for their adopted species to live happy and healthy. 

While not a glamorous part of the job, cleaning is still highly important to maintain the health of an animal. Not only that, but clean environments and low odors attract more people to interact and learn about the animals. Campers will have the opportunity to help clear out poop, debris, cobwebs, and more to ensure the enclosure(s) are kept up to facility standard. 

Today, this day gives campers a chance to see and learn a little bit about every animal in the Pentagon/Shire to decide which animal they want to adopt. After a camper choses an animal, they are given the animal information and workbooks to learn more. They will complete a short activity sheet on their adopted animal and learn about the other animals from the rest of the class. 

This day of the course is all about the importance of nutrition for an animal. In the wild, animals are designed to eat what is around them, but in captivity they are eating what humans can provide, which isn’t always the same stuff. Nutrition is a fundamental biological need in order for animals to stay healthy. 

Photographers also come around and take pictures of all the campers with their adopted animals. You are expected to help them during this activity because it can be stressful for people and animals alike. 

Sometimes interacting with animals can be fun and games! Today is all about animal mental health and how providing proper enrichment as well as training animals helps animals feel like they have more control over their environment, participate in more human-animal interactions, and feel generally more comfortable in their home. 

As an animal caretaker, it is vital to understand what an animal looks like when they are healthy versus when they are not. It is even more difficult in wild species (as opposed to domestic species), so sharp observation skills are needed. While there are many ways an animal is kept healthy, a properly set up enclosure is the first step to housing any captive animal. Campers will learn about the standard items needed for their adopted species to live happy and healthy. 

While not a glamorous part of the job, cleaning is still highly important to maintain the health of an animal. Not only that, but clean environments and low odors attract more people to interact and learn about the animals. Campers will have the opportunity to help clear out poop, debris, cobwebs, and more to ensure the enclosure(s) are kept up to facility standard. 

This course starts with the campers being introduced to all the dogs we keep in the kennels so they can decide which one they want to take care of for the week. They should also learn about all the different kinds of dogs out there and why we have so many types. Once they pick a dog, the campers will fill out the first section of their Adopt An Animal Workbook. 

Today the class will learn how to take care of their adopted dog by providing them with food and water, as well as learning how to properly walk them on a leash and clean up after they poop. It is important they learn every aspect of being a responsible pet owner, even the ones that can be gross. 

Photographers also come around and take pictures of all the campers with their adopted animals. You are expected to help them during this activity because it can be stressful for people and animals alike. 

This class focuses on how to stimulate the minds of dogs living with you. Because they are domesticated, dogs are able to do different types of enrichment that most exotic animals cannot (such as learning commands and walking on a leash). Campers will learn how to begin training a dog as well as play with them safely and give toys that will not hurt the dog. 

This class focuses on basic grooming, exercise and the preventative medicine that will keep the animals healthy. This is an important part of the Adopt-an-animal program because our animals depend on us to prevent disease and injury that could occur if they did not receive the care that they need. Also, an important part of pet ownership is knowing when to take your dog to the vet for annual check ups, vaccines, and other problems that arise. 

While not a glamorous part of the job, cleaning is still highly important to maintain the health of an animal. Not only that, but clean environments and low odors attract more people to interact and learn about the animals. Campers will have the opportunity to help clear out poop, debris, cobwebs, and more to ensure the enclosure(s) are kept up to facility standard. 

You will already be versed in grooming dogs, but this period also extends to grooming horses, small animals, tortoises, and more! Depending on your comfortability and camper choice, the class can choose to groom varying animals (of varying difficulty as well). 

You will be familiar with training across your Course Areas, but this class simplifies and sends a deeper look at the Training Day of the Course. You do not have to just stick with the animals in your Course Area - who you train is dependent on the list the class provides as well as camper interest.

There are several types of homemade treats that can be made for animals (and can be fed out in training classes!). We have recipes for treats for dogs, herbivores, wallabies, and other species. 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.