Companion
Animal Biology – Mr. Theimer
Description: Interested in a career in Veterinary Medicine, kennel or pet shop management, dog training or grooming, zoo related occupations, stable management…….. then this is the course for you. Students will study animal health, nutrition, safety, animal behavior, pet selection, animal welfare, reproduction, and animal management systems. Career opportunities will be stressed.
Learning Objectives:
 | Understand and appreciate present day needs and uses of various companion animals in a suburban environment |
| Identify career opportunities in the field of companion animal biology |
| Understand physical and morphological characteristics of companion animals and their influence on animal management |
| Understand animal health characteristics, common health issues and problems, and preventive medicine |
| Understand nutritional and digestive systems, feeds, nutritional requirements, and proper feeding techniques |
| Understand importance of proper animal behavior characteristics and training, and behavior adjustments |
| Identify and understand animal breeds as a means for proper selection |
| Understand how behavior affects the care and management of companion animals |
| Identify and understand proper grooming and care of companion animals |
Topical Outline:
I. INTRODUCTION AND ORIENTATION
A. Scope of animal industry
B. Career opportunities
C. Ancestry, evolution and development of companion animals
II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ANIMALS
A. Anatomical features
B. Internal systems and characteristics
III. CATEGORIES AND BREEDS OF COMPANION ANIMALS
A. Classifications
B. Breed Characteristics
C. Identification of selected breeds
IV. NUTRITION, DIGESTION AND FEEDING OF ANIMALS
A. Digestive Systems
B. Feedstuffs and additives
C. Proper feeding
D. Nutritional problems
V. HEALTH AND DISEASE
A. Characteristics of a healthy animal
B. Diagnosing and preventing health problems
C. Health problems of companion animals
D. Treating health problems
VI. REPRODUCTION, GENETICS, AND BREEDING
A. A study of genetics
B. Reproductive systems
C. Breeding and artificial insemination
D. Reproductive problems
E. Indiscriminate breeding and animal population controls
VII. BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING
A. Behavior patterns and animal psychology
B. Training animals
VIII. ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
A. Housing
B. Pet selection
C. Animal welfare
D. Grooming
Course and Class Expectations – Grading System and Policies
- Students are expected to show concern and respect for fellow students, especially during class discussion. Each student will be able to express their concerns with respect shown from their peers.
- Tardies and absences will follow standard school policies. Detentions and referrals will follow teacher-student – parent conference or discussion. Students MUST be in the classroom, seated and working on the problem of the day at the bell.
- The teacher will show respect for each student’s opinions and will allow discussion, with appropriate time restraints, of all sides of an issue.
- Supplies Needed: Each student must have their own writing utensil, pocket folder, and binder --- MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS DAILY.
- GRADES
- A = 90%; B= 80%; C= 70%; D= 60%; F= BELOW 60%
- Grades are available from the teacher during a scheduled appointment
- Grades will be based upon written assignments, periodic quizzes, unit tests, and student-based projects.
- STUDENT BASED PROJECTS: Students will be assigned individual and group projects during the semester. These projects are meant to provide additional experiences in the study of the animal industry. Some class-time will be provided for project work, but some out-of-class work by the student will be required. Ample time will be provided for completion of the projects.
- The semester exam will be a combination of written and project work.