Course Standards

History of Domestication

1) Synthesize research on the history of small animal domestication to produce an informative

essay, including defining and applying industry-specific terminology to classify animals in the

correct taxonomy. Justify the historical uses and roles of domesticated animals, and

compare historical processes of small animal domestication.

Economic, Occupational, and Technological Implications

2) Determine the general economic impact of the small animal industry by investigating both

home and business implications of small animal domestication through governmental and

news publications.

3) Explore and compare local and regional career opportunities in the small animal industry.

Describe in a written or visual representation the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary

for a diverse range of careers in small animal sciences, citing specific textual evidence from

local job postings and Tennessee labor data.

4) Examine specific technologies that have evolved within the small animal industry (such as,

but not limited to, equipment, procedures, and healthcare) and evaluate the economic and

societal implications of each.

Personal and Occupational Health and Safety

5) Identify, research, and determine the significance of zoonotic diseases associated with small

animals. Compare and contrast findings from multiple sources relating to a specific disease

(including student’s own experience, laboratory experiment, case studies, and scholarly

journals). Justify the use of different methods of infection control in the prevention or

management of a zoonotic disease and evaluate the efficacy of existing small animal

biosecurity measures.

6) Correctly identify and summarize laws and regulations that pertain to small animal health

and safety in an explanatory text, citing specific textual evidence from state and national

legislation. Describe health requirements and necessary documentation for small animal

transportation and change of ownership.

7) Review common laboratory safety procedures for tool and equipment operation in the small animal science laboratories, including but not limited to accident prevention and control

procedures. Demonstrate the ability to follow safety and operational procedures in a lab

setting and complete a safety test with 100 percent accuracy.

8) Demonstrate in a live setting or in a presentation the ability to follow procedures precisely,

attending to special cases or exceptions noted in appropriate materials, and apply them to

the following areas:

a. Animal restraint and handling

b. Techniques for transportation

c. Appropriate use of chemicals (such as pesticide, fungicide, disinfectants)

Differentiate between effective methods for handling small animals and methods proven to

be less effective.

Responsible Pet Ownership

9) Research and prepare informational resources for potential pet owners (such as fact sheets,

brochures, posters, or presentations) that present the benefits and responsibilities of pet

ownership, including listing important factors to consider when choosing a pet, comparing

and contrasting available sources for obtaining a pet, identifying and summarizing common

laws governing pet ownership, and investigating the societal and economic issues that may impact pet owners.

10) Drawing from multiple sources on small animal management practices, craft an

argumentative essay that contrasts the characteristics of responsible pet ownership with

ownership practices that have been shown to be negligent or inappropriate. Using

supporting evidence from the research to develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s), argue why

certain practices fail and others succeed. Topics may include:

a. Training and behavior management

b. Housing, boarding, and transporting

c. Breeding

d. Feeding and nurturing

e. Management of health conditions

f. Matching of animal type/breed and owner lifestyle (including living conditions,

geographic location, and number and age of family members)

Animal Ethics

11) Identify the fundamental philosophies related to animal rights and animal welfare. Compare

the impact of specific persons, organizations, and legislation related to animal rights and

welfare of small animals, citing specific textual evidence.

12) Investigate current small animal issues by analyzing an author’s purpose and assessing the

extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a specific text support the author’s claim.

Debate specific issues by forming and supporting claims and counterclaims with specific data and evidence. Issues related to animal rights and animal welfare may include, but are

not limited to:

a. Abuse and/or neglect

b. Illegal capture and/or trade

c. Overpopulation

d. Control of populations

e. Euthanasia

f. Exhibiting and showing

g. Global issues in small animal ethics and their relation to local problems.

Nutrition and Digestive Systems

13) Create a visual representation to differentiate between ruminant and non-ruminant animals,

comparing and contrasting their anatomical and physiological differences.

14) Using information from scholarly journals or Tennessee Extension Service, research nutrient

requirements of the diets of small animals and organize these into various nutrient groups.

Interpret feed labeling and evaluate factors such as life stage and activity level to determine

the nutritional needs and then recommend balance rations for small animals, justifying

recommendations with evidence from the text.

15) Distinguish among the symptoms of nutritional diseases relevant to small animals and

recommend the appropriate control procedures, expressed in writing.

Genetics and Reproduction

16) Research and develop illustrative models of the major components of male and female

reproductive systems in small animals and prepare a short narrative to distinguish the

function of reproductive organs, endocrine glands, and hormones. Produce an explanatory

essay summarizing the physiological changes that occur during reproductive phases,

including the estrus cycle, fertilization, gestation, parturition and lactation.

17) Using graphic representations and descriptive text, explain how the fundamental principles

of genetics, such as but not limited to concepts of inheritance and gene transfer, apply to the

study of small animals.

Fundamental Care and Health of Dogs and Cats

18) Synthesize research on the historical importance of dogs and cats, noting major economic,

social, and medical advances impacting domestication. Produce an informational essay or

model (such as a timeline, graphical illustration, or presentation) that differentiates between

the defining characteristics of common dog and common cat breeds. Demonstrate

conceptual understanding and technical skill in current practices of comprehensive health

care and management for the following:

a. Precisely follow effective grooming procedures and techniques to maintain healthy skin, coat, nails, eyes, and ears

b. Design appropriate facilities based on assessment of needs and present plans in a

visual format

c. Identify appropriate owner/handler responses to behaviors and instincts to ensure

safety of both individual and small animal in a variety of situations

d. Distinguish between clinical signs of proper health and poor health, justifying

explanations with data and evidence

e. Using quantitative reasoning and appropriate units, calculate rations based on

animal characteristics (age, weight, breed, activity level) and nutritional needs

f. Illustrate the reproductive cycle graphically, and summarize available breeding

methods and current reproductive technologies

g. Research common diseases and parasites and their effects on the health of dogs and

cats, and draw evidence from relevant medical literature to recommend the best

prevention or control measures.

Fundamental Care and Health of Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, and Rodents

19) Synthesize research on the historical importance of rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and

rodents, noting major economic, social, and medical advances impacting domestication.

Produce an informational essay or model (such as a timeline, graphical illustration, or

presentation) that differentiates between their defining characteristics. Demonstrate

conceptual understanding and technical skill in current practices of comprehensive health

care and management for the following:

a. Precisely follow effective grooming procedures and techniques to maintain healthy

skin, coat, nails, eyes, and ears

b. Design appropriate facilities based on assessment of needs and present plans in a

visual format

c. Identify appropriate owner/handler responses to behaviors and instincts to ensure

safety of both individual and small animal in a variety of situations

d. Distinguish between clinical signs of proper health and poor health, justifying

explanations with data and evidence

e. Using quantitative reasoning and appropriate units, calculate rations based on

animal characteristics (age, weight, breed, activity level) and nutritional needs

f. Illustrate the reproductive cycle graphically, and summarize available breeding

methods and current reproductive technologies

g. Research common diseases and parasites and their effects on the health of rabbits,

guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rodents, and draw evidence from the most recent

medical literature to recommend the best prevention or control measures.

Fundamental Care and Health of Avians, Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles

20) Synthesize research on the historical importance of avians, fish, amphibians, and reptiles,

noting major economic, social, and medical advances impacting domestication. Produce an

informational essay or model (such as a timeline, graphical illustration, or presentation) that

differentiates between their defining characteristics. Demonstrate conceptual understanding

and technical skill in current practices of comprehensive health care and management for

the following:

a. Precisely follow effective grooming procedures and techniques for applicable species

b. Design appropriate facilities based on assessment of needs and present plans in a

visual format

c. Identify appropriate owner/handler responses to behaviors and instincts to ensure safety of both individual and small animal in a variety of situations

d. Distinguish between clinical signs of proper health and poor health, justifying

explanations with data and evidence

e. Using quantitative reasoning and appropriate units, calculate rations based on

animal characteristics (age, weight, breed, activity level) and nutritional needs.

f. Illustrate the reproductive cycle graphically, and summarize available breeding

methods and current reproductive technologies

g. Research common diseases and parasites and their effects on the health of birds,

fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and draw evidence from the most recent medical