TCSD VETTS Clinic

VETTS 2.0_Bissell Celebration Song_Spring 2025.mp4

Bissell Elementary School teacher Mrs. Kayla Bucknell enthusiastically described the assemblies conducted by the Twinsburg High School TCSD VETTS Team on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, as the “Best. Assembly. EVER! Our VETTS Clinic kickoff was AMAZING! This program aims to educate our youth on animal care & fosters collaboration amongst ALL Tiger students! What a treat having a visit from our very own K9 Caesar & his handler and learning about their partnership.”

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 is a Twinsburg City School District program funded through the Twinsburg Schools Foundation. It is a collaborative initiative between the staff and students of Wilcox Primary School and Twinsburg High School.

Through the TCSD VETTS Clinic (Veterinary Experiences Through Twinsburg Schools), high school students use the THS Makerspace to create interactive activities focused on veterinary career awareness and core curriculum standards.

The TCSD VETTS Clinic, housed in the Wilcox Library, features six centers that students rotate through during January and February. The goal is to offer the clinic annually, adding new hands-on activities for additional buildings each year.

Current centers include:

The Dramatic Play Center allows students to role play as veterinarians using tools like ID badges, stethoscopes, and lab coats. Students diagnose and treat their “furry” patients through hands-on learning.

The Pharmacy Center helps students practice math skills through addition and subtraction using color-by-number activities. Animal-themed manipulatives support younger learners. A Microscope Center will be added in the 2024–25 school year.

The X-Ray Center lets students examine real animal x-rays on a lightboard and match them to animal photos, helping them understand what lies beneath the surface.

The "Write the Room" Center builds library and literacy skills as students search for animal icons and record related book titles, promoting movement, teamwork, and communication.

The Discovery Center invites students to explore a sensory bin filled with items like butterflies, snakes, turtles, insects, and plants, encouraging curiosity and hands-on discovery.

The MakerSpace Center offers creative and practical activities such as coloring, learning basic suturing (shoelace tying), solving anatomy puzzles, and caring for “Twinny the Twinsburg Tiger Mascot.”

The program’s most important element is student collaboration. High school students from programs like Marketing, Digital Design, Fashion, Photography, Interactive Media, Art, Anatomy & Physiology, and Environmental Science work together to develop the clinic. They also tested the program with first graders, creating a rewarding experience for all involved.

High school students are deeply engaged, taking on leadership roles and working to expand the program to additional schools. They are developing skills in grant writing, improving activities, and striving to make the VETTS Clinic more effective and impactful.