14/10/2024
The new £7m study centre opened on Saturday 12th October at 11am
Dudley College of Technology was thrilled to welcome TV wildlife expert Meg McCubbin, best known as presenter of Springwatch and Animal Park, to openits new Animal Study Centre on Saturday 12th October, welcoming, students, visitors and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Located as part of the College’s Broadway site the Animal Study Centre is designed to foster collaboration between students, employers and charities working to put animal welfare at the heart of what they do. It will also provide an expanded curriculum offer to allow local people to study new subjects such as dog hydrotherapy and grooming.
At the centre of what’s on offer in the new facility will be an expansion in full-time study programmes that prepare learners for carers in zoology, animal management and wildlife conservation. New T level routes in animal science will allow the college to offer pathways for learners wanting to become veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons.
The new purpose-built Animal Studies Centre at the college is the result of a £7m investment that has allowed a huge expansion in the range of animals on site. There is an increased numbers of small mammas such as rabbits and hamsters, more reptiles including chameleons and bearded dragons as well as exotics such as chinchillas and sugar gliders, all allowing learners to get hands on handling experience.
Learners will also now be able to expand their skills in creating and maintaining animal habitats within the new enclosures and temperature-controlled environments. These in turn will allow them to use industry standard equipment similar to those found in pet shops, zoos animal sanctuaries.
Future plans for the Centre starting in 2026 include opening a canine set up, combining dog grooming, dog hydrotherapy and physiotherapy facilities where handlers will use treadmills and “dry handling” techniques to rehabilitate animals with sprains, breaks and joint injuries. And the new resources will allow more adults to gain knowledge and qualifications in animal behaviour, pet sitting, and animal first aid, through short courses awarded by iPet and delivered by the college.
For younger animal lovers there will summer programmes allowing them to learn about and love animals even more.
The opening provided an opportunity for staff at the college to thank the many supporters who have backed the developments including Dudley Zoo, Lucky Bunny Rescue, Proteus Reptiles and Brookswood Animal Sanctuary who have not only donated their time and expertise but also a small number of animals they needed to re-home.
