Rare Breeds

The Senior Animal Management students were lucky to find themselves in the company of a rare breed of dog called the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. On November 10th, Janette Shorrock brought this unusual dog, named Charlie, to the classroom to share her grooming secrets with the students. grooming secrets with the students. Charlie is a champion show dog as well as a Delta Society certified therapy dog. Grooming a Dandie for show takes a bit of practice and knack. Janette demonstrated an advanced grooming technique called plucking. When plucking, you literally pluck the longer hairs from the coat of the dog. You need a good eye for the areas that need plucking.
The “Dandie” is referred to as the “gentleman of the terriers”. The breed originated in the 1700s in the border country between England and Scotland.
Janette chose this breed as a companion because she is also a native of England. The Dandie Dinmont is named for a farmer in a Sir Walter Scott novel and used to eradicate vermin, like rats and badgers. Dandies are hypoallergenic, but require regular coat care and grooming. Janette Shorrock is the Breeder Referral Chairperson for the Dandie Dinmont Club. She says you must be very patient to acquire a Dandie. The cost for a pet quality Dandie Dinmont is $1,500.00. There are not many breeders in the United States and they are quite particular about protecting the breed and promoting responsible breeding practices.There are not many breeders in the United States and they are quite particular about protecting the breed and promoting responsible breeding practices.

Toledo Zoo: Behind the Scenes

On Tuesday, November 17, my Animal Management class had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Toledo Zoo. Our main mission was to get a sneek peek of the elephants. When we arrived at the zoo early that morning, we found ourselves in a classroom where we learned how to make enrichment with the help of two zoo educators, Lisa Bogard and Jerran Orwig..
Enrichment is the addition or modification of an animal's environment that encourages the animals to make choices, exhibit natural, or species appropriate behavior, present mental challenges, encourage physical activity/exercise and enhances the animals overall well being.
We went to work making three different enrichment items. Our first task was to decorate a brown paper bag with non-toxic markers and then fill them 1/4 full with popcorn and cheerios. These bags were folded shut and placed on a cart. Next we made melon bombs. This consisted of a cantaloupe that we cut holes into and stuffed with carrots. Finally we made elephant approved pixie sticks. These were large cardboard tubes stuffed with cut up carrots, apples, and yams. These snacks were held in by plugging each end of the tube with hay.
We took a break and learned about amphibians from the zoo educators. They let us touch the salamanders and frog used for the demonstration. Then we headed out, took a detour through an amphibian exhibit in the museum, trecked across zoo grounds and wound up in the elephant area where the zookeepers bathed Baby Louy and his mother Renee. The elephants were trained to move about and lift their feet for a thorough scrubbing and health checks. This is a daily task for the zookeepers.
As a special treat, we were given permission to go into the elephant's outdoor exhibit to hide the enrichment items we had made. After we were safe on the human side of the electric fence, the zookeepers lead the elephants to their outdoor enclosure, where they wasted no time finding their treats.
This was a fun trip. I hope we can do it again with another animal. I would love to get up close and personal with the wolves!

Sub-District Job Interview Career Development Event

The Floriculture and Natural Resources programs participated in a Chapter Job Interview Competition the last few weeks. Students were judged on filling out a job application, their cover letter and resume, a 10 minute face-to-face interview and a hand-written follow-up letter. Thank you so much to Jean Emery-Emery’s Flowers and Company, Doreen Kuzma-Denver Wholesale Florist, Josh Miller-Toledo Botanical Gardens, Adrienne Mullens– Forest View Ranch, Matt Shanahan– Boy Scouts Toledo Area, and Jim Jackson– Toledo City Forestry Division Council for taking time out of their busy schedules to conduct the face-to-face interviews. Here’s what the students had to say!

“I think that I did a great job with the interview being that it was my first time. The interviewer was really nice and respectful. Overall the interview was a great experience and I really learned a lot. I know later on it life it will be useful.”- Sharice Cosper, Floriculture 2

“During my interview I was nervous! I like how the guy was so nice to me and he understood that I am new at interviewing. I think the advice that he gave me will help me overcome being nervous in the future. I just need to let me confidence that I have show more and just be myself. I think this experience will help me in the future when I have a real interview.”- Stephanie Mason, Floriculture I

Congratulations to Floriculture 1 students Jasmine Cole, Tyrena Depp, Sara Padgett, and Krista Woodruff, Floriculture 2 students Tami Crockett and Sharice Cosper, Natural Resources I students Gabrielle Roberts, Te’Airia Baldwin, Devon Webster and Macie Zeller, and Natural Resources II students Shaniece Langston and Jordan Enis who will compete December 1^st in the Sub-District Job Interview Career Development Event.

Order for Thanksgiving Today!

Thanksgiving Centerpieces
Fall Mix Arrangements with or without candles.
Prices:
$10,$15 -circle shaped w/ 1 candle.
$20,$25 -oval shaped w/ 2 candles.

Made by the N.S.T.C Floriculture Class
5561 Elmer Drive(next to Toledo Botanical Gardens)
Phone: 419-536-7638 Email: jennifer.cummins@tps.org

Pick up only. Weekdays 7:30am-2:30pm, Wednesday November 5th 7:30am-4pm
We accept cash or checks.

Bowling with the FFA

Last Tuesday, the Toledo FFA members and advisors went to Miracle Lanes for a bowling meeting. Check out some pictures of the the fun the students were having!

Floriculture Job Interview CDE

Today the Floriculture I and II classes participated in a job interview career development event. To participate they had to fill out an application, turn in a cover letter and resume, complete a personal interview, and write a follow-up letter. We have been preparing for this activity for two weeks by practice, role playing and discussions. Thank you so much to Jean Emery and Doreen, our industry professionals, for their help interviewing the students.

Results will be up soon! Miss Cummins is so proud of everyone for trying their best!

Here are some pictures of the Floriculture I class practicing.

Fire Drill for Dogs

Students in the senior class of the Small Animal Management Program at the TPS Natural Science Technology Center were surprised by a fire drill conducted by the Toledo Fire Department on Monday, October 26. The students were busy working on the dogs they were assigned to groom when the alarm went off. Without hesitation, dogs were pulled off grooming tables and out of tubs as the students made their way to the designated safe meeting location.

Fire drill practice is required on a monthly basis at all schools in order to ensure safety in case of a real incident. In career training programs, such as those at the Natural Science Technology Center, drills can be more of a challenge than at a typical school. Students are often engaged in projects with animals, plants, and equipment, both indoors and outdoors.

Reptile Club

The Toledo Herpetological Society met at the Natural Science Technology Center on Thursday, October 15. Animal Management Students attended this meeting and learned about the responsibilities of keeping large snakes as pets. Students got an up close look at a young Burmese Python that will weigh 200 + pounds when full grown and reach a length of 15-20 feet! In addition to size, one must consider appetite and lifespan. A full grown captive Burmese eats rabbits and can live 25 years!
In contrast, the students were introduced to some very tiny hatchling corn snakes. These animals are perfect for the beginning snake owner with no experience. Their docile temperament and small size contribute to much easier care. In addition, they can be found in many interesting color morphs with fun names like; caramel corn, butter corn, cream sickle, candy cane, etc.
The Toledo Herpetological Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to education concerning reptiles and amphibians. The society meets every 3rd Thursday of each month at the Natural Science Technology Center 5561 Elmer Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43615. The meetings start at 7:15 PM. For additional information about the club go to http://www.toledoherps.org.

First FFA Meeting of the Year!

Our first meeting was at Krotz Corn Maze on October 13th. The students really enjoyed their time at the maze. Since the students at NSTC come from all different schools, the juniors and seniors got a chance to get to know each other while having fun. Although it was cold, there were still lots of smiles on the student’s faces. We can't wait for our next meeting on November 10th when we go bowling!

Congratulations New FFA Officers!

All of the NSTC students are members of the National FFA Organization which is a student leadership organization. Completely run be the students with the aide of Ms. DeYonker, their advisor, the following students have been elected by their fellow members.
President: Tami Crockett, Floriculture 2, Start Senior
Vice President: Jeff Czech, Landscape 2, Start Senior
Secretary: Krista Woodruff, Floriculture 1, Start Junior
Treasurer: Amber Conklin, Animal Care 2, Start Senior
Reporter: Tyrena Depp, Floriculture 1, Waite Junior, and Jordan Enis, Start Senior
Sentinel: Derek Fuller, Landscape 2, Rogers Senior

Grove Patterson Academy Bulb Labyrinth by Derek Fuller

On Monday, October 26th, the Landscape and Turf Program recently helped Grove Patterson Academy construct a Labyrinth which consisted of 4,000 bulbs. The students cut the design into the grass using a sod cutter. Next, they removed the cut sod in preparation for the Grove Patterson students to begin planting the next day.
On Tuesday, October 27th, the Landscape and Turf 1 and 2 students, along with the Floriculture 1 and 2 students helped the Grove Patterson Academy students plant the tulip bulbs. The Landscape students helped dig trenches for the younger students and the Floriculture students helped teach the Grove Patterson students how to plant the bulbs, It was a great learning experience for everyone involved. We can’t wait to see everything growing this spring!

A Trip To Nationals by Tami Crockett and Asia Manzie

The Natural Science Technology Center’s Floriculture Class placed first in the state in Floriculture in April of 2009, which earned them the right to represent Ohio at Nationals. Six students and advisor Jen Cummins traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to the National FFA Convention. Competing in the Floriculture Career Development Event were students Jeff Czech, Angela Avery, Tamnika Newsome, Danielle Taylor, and alternates Tami Crockett and Asia Manzie. Jeff, Tami and Asia are currently Start High School students, while Angela, Tamnika and Danielle graduated last year from Start.

At the Career Development Event the students competed individually in identification, job interview, identifying plant disorders, person-to-person selling, making and packaging a corsage and completed a written exam. There was also a team activity. Jeff earned a gold medal and placed 48th in the nation, Angela earned a silver medal and placed 84 in the nation, Tamnika and Danielle both received bronze medals and Tamnika placed 142 and Danielle placed 169 in the nation. Altogether the team earned a bronze medal and were 39th in the United States.

While in Indianapolis we also attended the opening ceremonies with Keynote Speaker Mike Rowe, a Laser show, a Toby Keith concert and a Career show. While the four students competed, Tami and Asia explored the Children’s Museum with Ms. Cummins and learned about King Tut, Ruby Bridges, Ryan White and Anne Frank. It was a great learning experience for us all. We got the chance to meet different people from all over the country and we are so proud of our team!

Fun at the Fair by Mazie Zeller

On September 8, 2009 all schools in Fulton County were closed due to the fair. All school children are admitted to the fair free of charge on Junior Fair Day. My Animal Management Class visited for free on this day as well. The Fulton County Fair is the most visited event to come to Fulton County and residents there proclaim it as, “The Fairest of them All.”

We had a fun, enjoyable experience that was educational at the same time. There are so many things to do, from rides, games, food, and checking out the animals. That’s right I said animals. The animals are a MAJOR part of the Fulton County Fair. There are competitions for all age groups. We saw rabbits, cows, goats, horses, llamas, chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Basically, any animal that you may find on a farm was there.