Mary Medders, Lake Highlands High School
In a newly renovated space, students at Lake Highlands High School operate a student-run dog daycare and wash service.
The students manage real animals, real customers and real responsibilities, gaining hands-on experience in a program designed to mirror the veterinary field.
At the center of it all is Medders, who watches closely, offering guidance.
“I like to keep my classroom student-centered,” she says. “I give them the information up front, and then I let them take ownership of it.”
As the instructor of the school’s animal science pathway, Medders leads the program that introduces students to everything from animal care fundamentals to veterinary medical applications.
As part of a four-year pathway, students progress through a sequence of courses that build both knowledge and hands-on experience.
Freshmen begin with learning the principles of animal science, followed by small and large animal management in their sophomore year, where they study companion animals, animal welfare and handling, as well as equine science, including breeds, nutrition and care.
“Their third year is when they learn veterinary medical applications and when they learn the ins and outs of running a clinic,” Medders says.
By their final year, students take a practicum in agriculture, where they can either help run the school’s on-campus dog daycare and wash, or pursue internships with local animal-related businesses.
“If they’re working in a vet clinic, and the veterinarian agrees to sign off on all of their hours and their skills, they can have the opportunity to test with the level one veterinary assistant certification,” she says. “If they pass, they can graduate and already have that level one certification to go to work as a veterinary assistant.”
For students, that opportunity can also translate into significant savings and early career access. One student currently in the program is already working in a clinic while completing certification requirements, saving an estimated $1,500 compared to completing the credential after graduation.
The on-campus dog daycare and wash further extends that real-world experience. The student-run operation offers basic wash and grooming services, with optional add-ons such as nail trims. All proceeds are reinvested into the program to replenish supplies and support daily operations.
That learning environment is made possible by a newly renovated classroom and workspace designed specifically for hands-on instruction. The district’s Career and Technical Education program transformed the space over the summer, adding secure entry points, an outdoor access system, and monitoring tools that allow students to safely receive and manage animals.
“We have an iPad with cameras at my desk, so when owners arrive with their dogs, I can buzz them in,” Medders explains. “We also have waivers for students and owners because they understand that this is a learning environment.”
Though still in its first year, students have already taken ownership of the business model.
Campus leaders say Medders’ vision made the program possible. “She had a vision, built our animal science program from the ground up, and has done a tremendous job,” says Kerri Jones, principal of Lake Highlands High School.
