Photograph of scholar holding Charlotte the tarantula on the AHSSO unique animal assembly. (Kellsie Hicks/East Tennessean)
On March 23 from 6:30 to eight p.m., the Animal Well being and Science Pupil Group (AHSSO) held their Unique Animal Assembly occasion the place volunteers introduced their unique pets for show and demonstration.
The pets included a hairless guinea pig, a chinchilla, a tarantula, a hissing cockroach, two snakes and a parrot. Additionally they had a chameleon on Zoom for the proprietor to speak about it and take questions. Friends have been requested to fill out a waiver for security protocols earlier than they might go to every station and maintain the animals.
AHSSO President Caroline Rockwood considered this occasion as a novel occasion the place college students whose careers are centered round animals might achieve firsthand expertise. Advocating college students to department out, Rockwood launched a brand new degree of studying as she invited uncommon animals to campus.
“Folks don’t actually get many experiences or alternatives to the touch and even deal with or see unique animals,” Rockwood mentioned. “I feel coming and having individuals convey their exotics right here will let college students see ‘oh wait, that is kinda actually cool.’”
A chance for hands-on expertise, every station had a notecard introduced with details about every animal as college students received to fulfill them. The house owners have been additionally there to take questions and communicate on how they care for his or her pets, their backgrounds and to inform humorous tales about them.
“When individuals see an unique animal, they don’t almost perceive how a lot time, power and cash goes into them,” Rockwood mentioned.
Making profession growth and animal schooling their aim, the AHSSO noticed this notable occasion as an opportunity to diversify college students’ tutorial journeys whereas endorsing good animal remedy.
“We need to deal with educating the science behind animal welfare,” Rockwood mentioned on the mission of the group.
The AHSSO is doing its half in bringing animal like to ETSU. Additionally they maintain their pet portraits occasion and even had a horse on campus final 12 months.
For extra info on the AHSSO, go to their Instagram at @etsu_ahsso.
