Celebrating Career and Technical Education Month

February 20, 2012

As part of Career and Technical Education Month, CTE will feature one program each day for the remainder of the month.

Zoo Animal Technology, the wildest program at Santa Fe!

The Zoo Animal Technology Program (ZATP) is the only program of its kind in the nation with a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Teaching Zoo serves as the laboratory to the premiere immersive animal keeper training program and is a degree program which fills the needs of 224 accredited zoos and aquariums and over 2400 USDA licensed facilities. With a placement rate of around 80%, we have graduates employed in 131 different zoos and aquariums encompassing 41 states, including Disney's Animal Kingdom, Zoo Miami, and Jacksonville Zoo, as well as animal care facilities such as the University of Florida, Lubee Bat Conservancy, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Graduates who occupy jobs in Florida AZA accredited zoos help support the $1.1 billion in economic activity (contribution to national GDP) contributed by Florida AZA zoos. The enrichment of our community is typified by our award winning afterschool program "Rotary Reading Safari". This program inspires literacy by encouraging disadvantaged middle school students to read with mentorship by our ZATP students. In addition, our zoo education programs reach thousands of community members from senior centers with 30 individuals to our free trick-or-treat event which greets over 5000 individuals and collects over 4500 canned goods for local food banks in one night. www.sfcollege.edu/zoo