As part of their career research, our zoology students recently took a field trip around Des Moines to explore a variety of animal-science opportunities.

Their first stop was Ashworth Road Animal Hospital, where students learned that veterinary care goes beyond cats and dogs to include exotic pets as well. They toured the clinic, including patient rooms, medical care areas, and the surgery suite, and had the chance to talk directly with veterinarians about their careers and experiences with exotic animals.

Next, students visited Des Moines Central Campus to learn more about the Marine Biology program available to students from area schools. They explored different marine ecosystems and saw examples of student investigations that highlight hands-on, inquiry-based learning. They saw over 150 different aquariums set up with different ecosystems and aquatic life, spent time with student groups on their projects and came away with a whole new perspective on the program.

The final stop was Spock’s Sanctuary, in which the owners are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. The mission of Spock’s Sanctuary is to educate the public about animals and to improve quality of life for exotic pets everywhere. Students learned how some animals become part of the educational sanctuary, while others are prepared for adoption. They even got to hold many of the reptiles and snakes and learned a whole new aspect of health care for these animals.

This experience gave students a firsthand look at the many pathways available in zoology, veterinary science, and animal conservation—bringing classroom learning to life!