The VETTS Clinic is an educational initiative funded by the Twinsburg Schools Foundation. Designed to promote cross-curricular collaboration and critical thinking, the program engages students in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. The Twinsburg Police Department shared their appreciation for being involved in the event, stating, “Yesterday, K9 Caesar and his handler, Ptl. Encarnacion, visited students at Bissell Elementary School as guest speakers for the @Twinsburg City School District VETTS Clinic program. They engaged with staff and students with Ptl. Encarnacion conducting a demonstration and discussing his partnership with K9 Caesar. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this education initiative and thank Bissell Elementary for their warm welcome.”

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, students from the TCSD VETTS Clinic 2.0 at Twinsburg High School visited Samuel Bissell Elementary School to observe and support students as they explored careers in veterinary science and related disciplines. This visit was led by THS Media Assistant Mrs. Jean DiMatteo, THS Business Educator Mrs. Donna Houston, and THS Arts Educator Ms. Cheryl Kozak, in collaboration with Bissell Media Assistant Ms. Christy Shula—and, of course, the ever-popular mascot, Twinny.

Throughout the day, Bissell Tigers engaged in a variety of interactive learning centers guided by their high school mentors. These stations included:

• Veterinarian: Dramatic Play - Receive an ID badge, stethoscope, and lab coat to diagnose and treat furry patients. Tasks include taking temperatures, applying casts, or conducting wellness check-ups. Step into the role of a veterinarian and ask the key questions they would.
  
  

• Radiology: Animal Anatomy and X-Ray Observation - Last year, students examined animal x-rays at the Animal Anatomy Center and compared them to photographs to help identify that animal. This year, after reviewing the x-rays, our Radiologists will match them to their species using an important medical file.
  
  

• Nutritionist: Healthy Habits for Pets - Nutritionists will learn to care for pets by choosing the right food based on helpful charts, understanding which options are healthy and which are not. Proper nutrition is essential to prevent illness in animals, just like in humans. 
  
  

• Archaeology: Discovery Digging - Archaeologists, distinguished by their lanyards, will excavate rock samples to uncover fossils, insects, shells, and shark teeth. For safety, they will wear masks, gloves, and goggles. Equipped with brushes and shovels, they will carefully uncover these hidden treasures.
  
  

• Researcher: Microscope Exploration - Our newest and most exciting center yet!  As a microbiologist, you'll use a microscope to study tiny creatures like ticks and fleas, along with other small organisms, while learning the basics of microscope use.
  
  

• Animal Behaviorist: Animal Interaction and Body Language - Animal Behaviorists will study the body language of cats and dogs to understand their emotions, such as fear, happiness, or anger. This knowledge helps ensure safe interactions and better communication with pets.
  
  

The dedication of the THS VETTS students has been nothing short of exceptional. Their passion for interdisciplinary education and their drive to tackle real-world challenges have made a lasting impression across Wilcox, Bissell, and Twinsburg High Schools. Their efforts continue to inspire a spirit of inquiry and collaboration among all Tiger students.

The TCSD VETTS Clinic, housed in the Wilcox Library, consisted of six centers that our young Tigers rotated through during the months of January and February. Our plan is to have the Clinic return annually, adding age-appropriate hands-on activities to an additional building each year.  

Currently, the centers included are: 

The Dramatic Play Center where students role play as a "vet" complete with an ID badge, stethoscope, and lab coat. Students diagnose the condition of their “furry” patients and then treat them. This center opens up a world of hands-on experiences to future animal caregivers!

The Pharmacy Center allows students an opportunity to explore math to compare and think logically! Students use either addition or subtraction to complete “color by number” activity sheets! Animal shaped math manipulatives are on hand to help our younger Tigers! 

At the X-Ray Center students use a lightboard to examine real animal x-rays and match them to animal photos. Worksheets are available so our X-ray technicians can document their work!  This exploration is a means of learning what is hidden underneath the surface of an organism!

The "Write the Room" Center showcases library skills that gets our young Tigers up and moving! Students will search the library for animal icons and record a book title about the animal pictured. Exploring library vocabulary and team-building teaches important literary and communication skills!

At the Discovery Center, "Researchers" will dig through a bin of rubber mulch to discover butterflies, snakes, turtles, insects, plants, and more! The Discovery Box offers students a fun way to explore and discover, helping them build important sensory skills while stretching their curiosity.

The MakerSpace Center offers a variety of activities. Students can be creative with an "animals with hearts" coloring page; while learning to suture…aka practice the skill of shoelace tying; learn anatomy through puzzles; and treat "Twinny the Twinsburg Tiger Mascot." Helping fellow Tigers…that's the Twinsburg way!

The most important component of the TCSD VETTS Clinic is the collaboration between our students. Uniting individuals with different interests began with our students from the THS MakerSpace. We then acquired the talents from THS classes such as Marketing, Digital Design, Fashion, Photography, Interactive Media, Art, Anatomy & Physiology, Environmental Science, and more. To afford them an opportunity to better serve their young clientele, we brought some of our THS students to Wilcox where they worked with a select few of very excited first graders to test pilot the program! This experience proved to be rewarding for all our students from youngest to oldest. 

For our high school students, they are totally immersed in the program. Many have taken on unexpected leadership roles, and they are already working to bring this program to both Wilcox AND Bissell. They are learning grant writing skills, re-working each center’s components, and I quote of THS student, “we want to make the VETTS Clinic bigger and better, while we learn to work more efficiently.” They truly are Tiger Strong, and I could not be more Tiger Proud.