Veterinary Assisting Students Host Fundraiser for Local Animal Sanctuary

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Safari Sanctuary Pink Cockatoo at Community Care College in Tulsa

Veterinary Assisting students at Community Care College organized and implemented a special event to raise public awareness for Safari Sanctuary, a private, exotic, wildlife rescue organization that currently cares for over 200 animals. 

On March 3, Veterinary Assisting Department Head Charlie Marks and his students turned their classroom into a show-and-tell opportunity for several exotic and domestic animals. The volunteers at Safari Sanctuary brought two boa constrictors, a caiman reptile, a Moluccan cockatoo, a miniature donkey, a litter of newly hatched snakes and many other creatures to be held and photographed.

“The students learned how to properly interact with healthy, exotic species they have never before handled,” said Marks of the benefit.

The students learned correct husbandry techniques of feeding, caring and sheltering exotic, which Marks explained will be invaluable information. “When they start working in the Veterinary Assisting field, they will be able to explain proper care to their clients,” explained Marks.

Large Yellow Boa Constrictors from Safari Sanctuary at Community Care College in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Calling all brave souls! The two boa constrictors Safari Sanctuary brought drew a large crowd.

It was two veterinary assisting students, Tamara Orr and Carmen Kelley, who developed the initial idea for the special event.

Orr explained that she learned a lot about organizing and marketing a fundraising event while preparing for the fundraiser.

“I was especially glad to learn about the exotics, since I plan to enter this field when I graduate from the program,” Orr said.

Fellow student organizer, Carmen Kelly agreed, adding that she found the event particularly rewarding.


“We created awareness about these animals,” Kelley explained, adding that the event also boosted her marketing and planning skills and taught her many valuable lessons.

Small Child Holding Baby Boa Constrictor from Safari Sanctuary at Community Care College in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The benefit had many visitors great and small, many students and staff brought their children to learn more about interacting with exotic animals.

“I learned that in order to organize an event like this, I must communicate my plan to others, and I must be clearly understood and persistent,” Kelley concluded

The Veterinary Assisting students raised $310 for Safari Sanctuary.  Community Care College was honored to host this student-lead event educating our faculty, staff, students and the community.

 
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