Teenagers who’ve decided they might want to become a veterinarian don’t usually have much opportunity in high school to pursue that desire — or to find out if veterinary medicine is really the avenue for them. Kingsway High School in New Jersey is looking to change that. The school has partnered with Swedesboro Animal Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center to give aspiring veterinarians the hands-on experience in animal science they might not get otherwise … or at least not until they’re in college. The partnership, according to nj.com, will consist of two phases. The first phase of the program will give students “the ability to participate in a veterinary science practicum where a Kingsway teacher and a veterinary professional will provide instruction and practical coursework, including on-site experience at the hospitals,” nj.com reports. Phase two will be a little more selective, only allowing a few chosen students to participate in a veterinary science fellowship and scholarship program. During this phase, students will obtain at least 250 clinic hours, including experience in cardiology, critical care, emergency, internal medicine, physical rehabilitation, radiology and surgery, according to nj.com. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students, unique to Kingsway and our community,” Kingsway Superintendent James Lavender said in a written release, nj.com reports. “This practicum and fellowship programs expose our students to a new and rewarding career pathway and we are fortunate to have secured this opportunity for them.” “This program will benefit students who wish to pursue higher education and career opportunities in both human and animal medicine, as well as students who just wish to enrich the lives of animals during their high school studies,” Dr. Mark Magazu, owner of Swedesboro Animal Hospital and Saint Francis Veterinary Center, told nj.com. The students who complete the program may receive partial veterinary science scholarships of $1,000 from the veterinary center. They may also be eligible for a full scholarship in exchange for employment.
