Denver Animal Shelter Shows DPS Students Different Careers in Veterinary Science

DENVER – In partnership with Denver Public Schools, the Denver Animal Shelter is welcoming students this week to expose them to the multiple careers that can be found in veterinary science.

This week marks National Veterinary Technician Week. The shelter hopes to inspire the next generation amid the country’s current veterinarian shortage.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country will need 40,000 new veterinarians by the year 2030.\

Richard Butler

“There is a natural affinity between animals and children,” said Melanie Sobel, director of Denver Animal Protection. “We wanted to bring them to a shelter to show that there are veterinarians and that we have registered veterinary technicians, but there are a multitude of opportunities and career paths.”

Students from Bryant Webster Elementary visited the shelter on Tuesday. Second grader Kristabelle Gonzalez loves animals, especially her dog, Barbie. She said she had a great time visiting the shelter.

“It was fun looking at dogs and cats. I really like it when my dog, Barbie, plays and smells me,” said Gonzalez.

Richard Butler

When asked, Gonzalez said she wants to be a firefighter or police officer. Patricia Crystal, a veterinarian at the Denver Animal Shelter, said she didn’t want to be a veterinarian when she was a child. She said she made this decision later in life.

“I didn’t necessarily know that I always wanted to do veterinary medicine, but I was really interested in public health and infectious diseases and I love animals, so that’s what brought me here,” Crystal said. “Our general standard of what constitutes animal health has increased over time, and with that comes more demand for veterinary services.”

An estimated 155 students from nine DPS schools will visit the shelter this week.