Veterinary science resources give kids early start on animal
health careers Kids who love animals and science can start
preparing for their animal health career as early as 8 years old
via a veterinary science curriculum that is going online
nationwide. "We didn't have to create an interest for this; it's
already there," said Dr. Floron "Buddy" Faries. "And that
interest has created a demand." "Veterinary Science: Preparatory
Training for the Veterinary Assistant" was written by Faries, a
Texas AgriLife Extension Service veterinarian, to meet that
demand. The concept is not new, Faries said, but the new
training curriculum was fueled by additional job possibilities
in areas such as homeland security, laboratory technology and
public health. In fact, the National Center for Foreign Animal
and Zoonotic Disease Defense, a U.S. Department of Homeland
Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence, funded the
project and published the educational resources. The new
curriculum will prepare students for a job