For those of us who are interested in working with animals, not just herps, there is a teaching zoo in Gainesville, FL. The school is called Santa Fe Teaching Zoo which is part of the Santa Fe Community College. The program is five semesters (1.5 years) long. You work at the zoo and take classes about enrichments, nutrition, care, etc. While you're taking classes you'll also be working in the zoo about three to four days a week for a couple hours (nothing like a 9-5 job, so don't worry). After you graduate you'll get an Associate of Science Degree in Zoo Animal Technology. They offer co-opertative programs with two other universities: Friends University in Kansas or Oswego University in upstate NY. I don't know exactly how the coop programs work but you can email them with any questions.
I've just entered the program and so far it's a lot of fun. The best part is working and studing with people who all share the same interests. For more information the zoo's web site is:
http://inst.santafe.cc.fl.us/~zoo/ I strongly recomend anyone who wants to be a zoo keeper or just loves working with animals enter this program. If you enter this program instead of suffering through a 4 year degree in zoology or biology you'll have a better chance of getting a job
in a zoo. The reason for this opportunity is that you will have a year and a half experience working in a zoo as opposed to someone who is fresh out of a university.
Oh and be forewarned, this is
very important: If you think about entering the program there is about a year to two year wait list. I applied to the program in early 2002 and in Nov 2003 I got accepted into the program. Also you MUST maintain a "C" in all your classes or sit out the next semester until that class you made a "D" in becomes available the following semester.
