Students at Beckville High School have been busy providing services to the community while gaining hands-on experience in dog grooming.
Students in animal science classes have been working together to offer cheap and effective grooming services to the community. The business, managed by students with up to four years of experience, has been well-received locally and has gained several regular clients.
These kids run almost every aspect of the business, even down to advertisement. Offering stylized haircuts and baths for up to $25, important real-world understanding of animals and animal-careers are developed as well as crucial professional skills.
With opportunities for certifications and internships, the animal science pathway at Beckville High School includes several fields of study and work: small animal management, equine science and even an advanced animal science dual-credit class. Covering wide aspects of the animal industry, valuable experience and knowledge can be utilized in various pathways that students might explore.
Amy Podlewski, agricultural science teacher at the high school, proudly shares, “With most of the students in these programs, we’re seeing them either going into some kind of trade school or off to college. And so the kids here are getting a good foundation, and for some of our college bound kids, it’s giving them a certification to get a part time job.”
Veterinary assistant, grooming, and other certifications are not only useful to students going into that specific field, however. Jessie McAfee, senior and FFA officer, has been a part of the work-based program, grooming for four years.
“I have gotten a bunch of certifications, but the thing on my resume or application that has impressed most colleges is the two-year internship that I’ve been working on here, with the grooming business,” she shared. Set to attend Texas A&M at Galveston for marine biology, McAfee also offers home-based grooming services locally.
The agriculture mechanics department shares their space with the pet grooming program in what they call the “Ag Shop.” Tables, shelves, and many other elements of the shop are made by students for students.
“We are really kind of self-built here. Other kids, along with Mrs. Podlewski, have grown it (the program) quite a bit over the last few years,” says McAfee.
The best way to set up a dog grooming appointment is to call Beckville High School at (903) 678-3591.
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