ANIMAL CENTER MANAGEMENT

Most of today’s pets are treated as full-fledged family members. However, history (or rather pre-history) reports that modern-day views on Fluffy and Fido today have not always been popular. As early as the Stone Age, animals were seen as creatures to eat or be eaten by. It is believed wolves transitioned to human society 12,000 years ago, and since the domestication of cats roughly 8,000 years ago, mutually beneficial relationships between humans and pets have flourished.

Dramatic Culture Shifts

Though Harcum’s Animal Center Management program has existed since 1976, a culture shift in animal ownership happening early in the new millennium, circa 2006, would impact animal management programs. A significant number of pet owners born between 1981 and 1996 (the millennial generation) were delaying starting families and shifting their love, attention, and discretionary spending to dogs, cats, and other domestic animals.

Another dramatic development in pet ownership occurred 15 years later, partly because of the pandemic, when animal adoption jumped around 30% because of lockdowns, pivoting to remote work, social distancing, easing loneliness and giving people a sense of purpose.

“After all the social isolation caused by the pandemic, I adopted a dog,” confirmed one pet owner. “I wanted a little companionship and a reason to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine.”

These social conditions created a burgeoning market for skilled professionals who could help pet owners care for their pets. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania is a top state for animal caretaker jobs and employment in the field is growing faster than the national average.

AN ADAPTIVE, FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM

Harcum’s Animal Center Management Program (ACM) has been growing and adapting, too, right alongside the need for competent and capable animal caretakers.

Currently the curriculum includes a course introducing sectors in the animal industry where ACM grads can work such as animal shelters, zoos, boarding and daycare facilities, and veterinary hospitals; studying animal behavior; canine basics; animal first aid & CPR; merchandising; birds and reptiles; animal nutrition; disease prevention for caretakers; and, of course, business classes.

Such a breadth of courses gives graduates a wide berth of employment opportunities. New developments in program delivery are giving students more flexibility than ever before to learn and grow in the profession.

As of January 2022, the Animal Center Management asso ciate’s degree program began being offered at every one of 13 Partnership Sites and now offers an entirely remote format and also hybrid classes. “As of spring 2023, we have 42 ACM students registered,” said Meg Kelly, Registrar’s Office, “six of which are Partnership students, and 20 of whom take 100% remote classes.”

Alumni Success Stories

ACM grad Victor Ortiz ’22 was fully remote throughout the COVID-19 years and made several moves across the United States while working full time and without disruption to his education.

“I was researching colleges and Harcum had Animal Center Management online, which was perfect for me,” Ortiz said.

Originally from Puerto Rico, while at Harcum, assistant program director Tamar Paltin reported that Ortiz was able to network with Metropolitan Veterinary Associates at a career fair, was offered a job pending grad uation, and has since been promoted.

“He is very kind and compassionate,” said his supervi sor Tammy Bernat. “He loves talking to and helping clients.”

Compassion seems to be a quality in abundant supply among Harcum ACM grads. Drew McKay is a 2017 ACM graduate who immediately pursued working in doggy day- care prior to graduating, first working for a center and then starting her own center three and a half years ago.

In less than a year, VICTOR ORTIZ ’22 was promoted at his job at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates, where his customer service skills and love of animals are both in abundance.

Watch a video featuring Victor A. Fuentes Ortiz '22 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ibEsnh7qups

In less than a year, VICTOR ORTIZ '22 was promoted at his job at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates.

“My clients have become like another family to me, and I love all of their dogs,” McKay said, who is an expert in using social media to build bonds with her clients.

Her Instagram account @missdrewsdd is filled with photos of dogs celebrating their birthdays, their first days at the center, special days celebrating breeds such as National Golden Retriever Day, sitting with Santa for the holidays, Halloween week dress up, and cooling off in baby pools during the summer months.

In reading online reviews of Miss Drew’s, they clearly love McKay’s operation and all the extras.

“Miss Drew’s is the most outstanding doggy daycare you can find,” said one Facebook reviewer, posted in 2022. “They sent me pics of my baby boy. They treated him like their own.”

Another reviewer commented, “Our boy LOVES Miss Drew’s! As soon as we park, he goes crazy and cannot wait to play with his friends.”

“What I love about Animal Center Management is that it is the epitome of Harcum being the College of Possibilities,” McKay said. “You can go into all different directions. You can care for wildlife. You can care for rescue animals or be an entrepreneur, working in day care or grooming. It is the foundation of helping you decide what you want to do with animals.”

Watch a video featuring Drew McKay '17 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/If1emuibp4Q

Beloved Program Director LINWOOD ROBINSON in the classroom.

The Assistant Program Director for Animal Center Management TAMAR PALTIN was a presenter at the National Dog Show Symposium last December.

Get A Pet And Live Longer

There is a growing body of evidence that pets are good for our health. Pet ownership has been linked to everything from decreased blood pressure, stress relief, lowered incidence of depression, even longevity. Lots of pets need good homes, too; many more than can be cared for.

So, for those on the fence about adopting a pet, just know that Harcum College is preparing lots of talented and caring experts in the tri-state region and beyond to help you care for a furry household addition.

Meet our latest Harcum Star Anna Blom '16. Watch her video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A7frOH039Wc