Small & Companion Animal Science
Course Introduction
Core Standards of the Course
Strand 1
Student will participate in personal and leadership development activities through the FFA.
Standard 1
Student will use communication skills to effectively communicate with others.
Standard 2
Student will effectively use teamwork to respectfully work with others.
Standard 3
Student will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Standard 4
Student will be dependable, reliable, steady, trustworthy, and consistent in performance and behavior.
Standard 5
Student will be accountable for results.
Standard 6
Be familiar with the legal requirements and expectations of the course.
Strand 2
Student will participate in work-based learning activities through the Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Program.
Standard 1
Student will demonstrate employability skills.
Standard 2
Student will participate in a work-based learning experience outside the classroom
Standard 3
Student will develop a job portfolio specific to their selected SAE/WBL experience.
Strand 3
Students will understand the meaning of Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature and Dichotomous keys.
Standard 1
Know the common names used to identify the sex and age of the following companion animals, horse, dog, and cat.
Standard 2
Demonstrate a knowledge of Binomial Nomenclature as it is used to identify and classify animals including how it helps to identify how different species may be related.
Standard 3
Know the seven levels of taxonomic classification in order from most general to most specific.
Strand 4
Students will understand the processes of domestication.
Standard 1
Understand the difference between domestication and tameness.
Standard 2
Understand the difference between Artificial Selection (Selective Breeding) and Natural Selection.
Standard 3
Understand that the process of domesticating animals can also create physiological, behavioral, and physical changes in the animal.
Standard 4
Be able to define Charles Darwin's "Mysterious Law of Correlation", that as you select for specific genotypes there can be multiple side effects that are correlated to the genome that you are manipulating. Example: selecting for temperament can also bring changes to conformation or color.
Strand 5
Students will understand animal anatomy and physiology as it relates to nutrition, health, management and the behavior of domesticated animals.
Standard 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the following anatomic systems.
Standard 2
Demonstrate knowledge of dog, horse and cat senses.
Standard 3
Demonstrate knowledge of common diseases and parasites.
Standard 4
Demonstrate a knowledge of basic First Aid and CPR with companion animals.
Standard 5
Demonstrate knowledge of nutritional needs of dogs, horses and cats.
Standard 6
Understand of nontraditional health care.
Strand 6
Students will understand the reproduction processes for dogs, cats and horses.
Standard 1
Understand the estrous cycle in dogs, horses, and cats.
Standard 2
Understand natural breeding practices and alterative breeding practices for dogs, horses, and cats.
Standard 3
Understand the gestation period and fetal development for dogs, horses, and cats.
Standard 4
Understand the difference between Precocial (developed at birth) and Altricial (un-developed at birth).
Standard 5
Understand population control methods in dogs and cats.
Strand 7
Students will understand different methods employed for animal training, different learning styles and behavior problems of domesticated animals.
Standard 1
Understand animal behavior and learning theory.
Standard 2
Demonstrate a knowledge of different training methods.
Standard 3
Demonstrate knowledge of common behavior problems.
Standard 4
Demonstrate knowledge of behavior modification protocols.
Strand 8
Students will understand Ethology and how it relates to animal behavior.
Standard 1
Demonstrate a knowledge of how animals use body language to communicate (Ethology).
Standard 2
Demonstrate knowledge for the use of ethograms and how they are used in animal welfare.
Strand 9
Students will understand Animal Welfare and Animal Rescue
Standard 1
Demonstrate a knowledge of animal enrichment and welfare.
Standard 2
Demonstrate a knowledge of Animal Rescues.
Strand 10
Student will understand different competitions relating to dogs or horses.
Standard 1
Demonstrate a knowledge of different competitions with animals.
Standard 2
Students will understand correct structure (confirmation) and movement.
Standard 3
Students will understand the concept of different breeds in a species.
Strand 11
Students will understand roles that animals play in the community.
Standard 1
Understand the role of service and therapy animals.
Standard 2
Have knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for an animal to be designated as a service animal.
Standard 3
Understand the role of human-animal bonding.
http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - WILLIAM DEIMLER and see the CTE/Agricultural, Food & Natural Resources website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - THALEA LONGHURST. These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.