PET MEDICINE
One-Week Summer Program for
Pre-High School Students
Love animals?
Want to save little lives?
Enjoy an action-packed week in our pet med program!
Here are some examples of past activities: Students may use 3D models of cats and dogs to explore the anatomy of pets. They become well-versed in the varieties of dog breeds and the most common congenital defects to look for in each breed.
Moving into the vet clinic, students diagnose pet diseases and select and prescribe medications. They practice first aid techniques. Students use behavioral symptoms to make initial diagnoses of discomfort, malaise, and illness. They also address behavioral problems (such as excessive barking) and make recommendations.
Turning to emergency care and vet hospital work, students set broken bones and practice mock surgery. They analyze imaging from X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
Then, don’t miss out on staging a mock well-pet visit (see below) for a furry friend!
Interested? Read on for more!
July 27th – 31st, 2026
More About: Awards – Research Programs – Sample Week
Get ready to take on the roles of veterinarians and pet owners! Students will practice real techniques on stuffed dog and cat “patients” as they simulate a standard well pet visit. Weigh your patients, perform eye and ear exams, and listen to their heartbeat with a stethoscope. Then get into the lab: administer vaccinations, draw blood samples, and check for ticks, worms, fleas, and other parasites. Present all your findings to the pet owner and answer their questions—and practice delivering tough news if the results of your testing don’t look good. This hands-on simulation will give students an in-depth look at what happens behind the scenes at the vet.
TAKE A GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD OF PET MEDICINE
We’ve all seen dogs return from the veterinarian with these cones. What purpose do they serve?
Pets, like people, sometimes get sick. Diagnose pet ailments and decide on the right prescription.
Too cool for (obedience) school?! Finding chewed-up shoes all over the house? Are neighbors being driven crazy by excessive yapping? Vets to the rescue! Vets help with behavioral problems and more.
Dog injured? Don’t call 911. Call your vet hospital! Using stuffed animals, our future vets will set “broken bones.”
We can’t forget about our smaller furry friends! We will cover the care of hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
How do you know if your cat is not feeling well? What are signs that the cat needs veterinary attention?
Past Instructor: Ms. Haley Portlock
Haley Portlock is pursuing a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the Cummings School at Tufts University, where she is currently enrolled in a Master’s in Public Health program. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and has extensive experience working in veterinary settings.
Student Comments
‘I learned a lot and the teachers were very nice. I loved the hands-on activities like drawing blood, making casts, dissecting fish, etc.’
‘I love how we got to practice doing real life things vets do. For example, we practiced stitching fake wounds and gave fake dogs CPR. My teacher was super nice and very considerate.’
‘I liked the hands-on part of it. I really liked Mrs. Jenny because she made sure to explain each topic we went through in-depth so that everyone in the class could enjoy the activities, while also understanding them.’
Note: This page represents our best expectations for the program. Activities and instructors are subject to change. In such cases, similar activities and a comparably qualified instructor will be sought.
Our Programs are Featured on the National Association for Gifted Children Website
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