WOOLWICH TWP. — In keeping with Kingsway Regional School District’s mantra, Committed to Excellence, the Kingsway Regional School District is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Swedesboro Animal Hospital and Saint Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey.
This educational and community partnership contains a two-phased approach that will provide authentic learning experiences for high school students interested in veterinary science and begins this fall.
The first phase grants any student enrolled in the high school’s Animal Science course the chance to participate in a Veterinary Science Practicum where he or she will be exposed to practical coursework co-taught by a Kingsway teacher and veterinary professionals from the animal hospitals. These students have the opportunity to extend their learning through the completion of on-site practicum hours at the hospitals, in an area of interest as determined by a student survey and established by the hospitals.
Phase I seeks to expose students to real-world situations in the medical field, including examination and diagnosis of medical conditions, treatment and medical care of animals, participation in wet labs and hands-on experiences with medical technologies such as ultrasound, Computed Tomography (“CAT Scan”) and X-Ray. Practicum students will also observe the humane treatment of animals in a veterinary environment with a focus on making the material practical, enjoyable, and applicable to their interests.
During the second phase, a select group of students will have the opportunity to take part in a Veterinary Science Fellowship and Scholarship Program. This program will begin in the fall of 2016.
The Fellowship will include a minimum of 250 hours of in-clinic work at which time students will participate in an externship rotation, exposing them to areas within the hospital such as general practice, surgery, radiology, internal medicine, cardiology, emergency and critical care, and physical rehabilitation.
Graduating fellows will have the chance to receive a $1,000 scholarship from Swedesboro Animal Hospital and Saint Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey toward education at an accredited program in the sciences. Exceptional graduating fellows may also be eligible for full sponsorship of their veterinary sciences training in exchange for employment commitments.
“It’s been exciting to develop this opportunity with Swedesboro Animal Hospital and Saint Francis Veterinary Center over the past year,” says Chief Academic Officer Patricia Calandro. “ We are thrilled to cultivate the interests of our students using such a hands-on approach to learning.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students, unique to Kingsway and our community,” exclaimed School Superintendent Dr. James J. Lavender. “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.”
“Kingsway Regional High School has substantially shaped both our community and my family, and we are proud to participate in the vision of Superintendent Lavender, Principal Stephenson and the entire faculty to provide area students with an exceptional education,” said Dr. Mark Magazu, owner of Swedesboro Animal Hospital and Saint Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey, whose children attended Kingsway. “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.
You can learn more by visiting http://www.krsd.org/domain/117 or www.SaintFrancis.org/Kingsway.
Swedesboro Animal Hospital is a family-owned veterinary practice, founded in 1986, that provides general medicine and wellness services for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and ‘pocket pets’. In 2012, Swedesboro Animal Hospital was honored as a Top 2 Finalist for North American Practice of the Year by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Saint Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey is a specialty and 24-hour emergency hospital for animals, employing Board Certified specialists and experienced clinicians in surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, diagnostic imaging/radiology, ophthalmology, radioactive iodine therapy, and physical rehabilitation.
In 2013, Saint Francis was honored with a Certificate of Special Senate Recognition by Senator Bob Menendez for “innovative veterinary care and outstanding contributions to the community.” In 2014, Saint Francis earned Top 2 Finalist honors for North American Referral Practice of the Year by the American Animal Hospital Association.
