Animal Care and Management
Associate in Applied Science
Explore animal biology and husbandry career opportunities with our animal care and management degree. Graduates will have solid skills to move into pet care services or transfer to a four-year program in animal science.
You'll learn how to:
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Care for many species in pet retail, grooming, daycare, boarding, and veterinary facilities.
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Develop animal care protocols for animal related businesses.
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Analyze animal care facilities’ efficiency using critical thinking skills.
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Program tracks
Full-time
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Estimated degree completion time
4 semesters, 61 credit hours
Degree questions, answered.
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Courses
Program courses include an introduction to animal science, animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, introduction to business, and more.
Learning outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history and development of the animal science industry.
- Demonstrate knowledge of animal species and breeds.
- Demonstrate knowledge of animal science terminology.
- Demonstrate understanding of husbandry standards and nutritional requirements for various animal species.
- Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as a team member in various animal care team environments.
- Identify breeding patterns and techniques for various small animal and livestock species.
- Identify innate behaviors in various species as well as problem behaviors and various conditioning and training theories and methods.
- Describe the human/animal bond and the importance of that relationship.
- Describe and explain appropriate professional and ethical behavior relevant to animal care business environments.
- Demonstrate understanding of business management concepts and the ability to apply those concepts to animal business environments.
- Demonstrate a recognition of the value of diversity in opinions, values, abilities and cultures in small animal business environments.
- Describe and explain the relevant regulatory, legal and ethical environment relevant to animal shelters, pet retail businesses and small animal care businesses.
Careers
Graduates are prepared for work in animal shelters, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities, pet retail stores, pet grooming facilities, pet daycare facilities, pet boarding facilities, equine boarding facilities, livestock facilities, zoos and exotic animal care facilities, and animal based research facilities.
Meet the Faculty
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Julie Bodkin
Veterinary Technology Faculty
Dr. Bodkin started her career as a volunteer/kennel staff member and worked her way up to veterinary technician prior to attending veterinary school. Dr. Bodkin worked at Becker College and also worked at two small animal hospitals around Boston from 2013 to 2020. She grew up in Quincy, MA and currently resides there with her husband and their 12-year-old terrier Dixie. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and cheering on the Pats, Celtics,