SciGirls I 2016 - Day Six

Did you walk your dog outside today? Did you practice the five second rule to determine if it was okay to walk your dog outside on the blistering summer pavements found in Florida? Here is the rule - if you can't allow your hand to remain on a hot surface for five seconds, that same surface is harmful to your beloved pet! This was just one of the amazing hints, tips, and facts that SciGirls received from Dr. Rachel Barton and her wonderful Vet Techs Katie Watson and Amy Greene at the Tallahassee Animal Services Center. A very special thank you goes out to these ladies who continue to set aside a special day during the summer to provide us a glimpse into shelter medicine. The ASC takes in over 5,000 animals each year and works very hard to return these animals to the community with owners who will provide them the love and care needed for a healthy and sustained life. The people at the shelter work to release these animals either through live release, adoption, transfers, return to owner, and euthanasia. The facility is extensive and houses kennels(for both dogs and cats), a surgical room, and the Animal Control central office. SciGirls were treated to a tour of the facility and many of them began contemplating ways in which they could convince their parents to begin the adoption process. After a tour, the girls were broken into two groups for participation in a spaying and a lecture on zoonotic diseases. With a quick bite to eat for lunch, the girls began the afternoon at one of three stations: heartworm testing, Animal control response, or dog breed analysis. The American and Canadian Kennels clubs recognize 175 breeds of dogs: the British Kennel Club recognizes 210 breeds. Why is there such a variation? Natural differences due to local environment and selective-breeding by humans have changed the face of the evolution of the canine species. Prior to leaving, Dr. Barton reminded the girls to always be able to say "I think because....." Science begins with a hypothesis that you will either work to prove or disprove, but what matters is that you weren't afraid to think. Yes - that was little synopsis of our day but it's not over. We're getting our palates ready as we say move over MasterChef Jr. - here come SciGirls I!