This summer, Industry Training & Continuing Education (ITCE) at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology launched a new youth program for teens interested in getting a hands-on sneak peek of what it’s like to be a large animal veterinarian. Over four jam-packed days, students aged 13 to 17 worked alongside expert instructors to explore equine and bovine heath, herd management, first-aid essentials and the career path from vet school to clinical practice.
Along with classroom theory and lessons, students visited the campus sheep barn to practice safe handling and restraint techniques while performing physical exams of the animals. Working in pairs, the teens quickly mastered their sheep-handling skills — with smiles on their faces!
Students also spent time in the lab, gaining practical clinical experience, practicing suturing and injection techniques on fruit. This level of hands-on and practical learning is what truly sets Olds College apart.
The week wrapped up with a full day of field trips, like every great summer camp experience. Students toured the Lone Pine Jersey Farm & Creamery in Didsbury, visited the Coulee Equine Facility near Olds and explored Pioneer Veterinary Services in Sundre.
The new large animal focus was created following years of success with the College’s Introduction to Veterinary Medicine for Teens program, which focuses primarily on small animals. Both offerings saw nearly full registration all summer.
“We saw strong demand for more in-depth, hands-on learning for teens in our community,” says Chris Wharton, Director of ITCE at Olds College. “Building on the success of our introductory program, we wanted to offer a Level 2 experience that digs deeper into large animal medicine. The feedback has been fantastic, and we look forward to running it again.”