Rop Instructor and San Diego Zoo Veterinary Technician Shares His Expertise and Passion

Not too many high school students get the opportunity to go to class each day to be taught by someone who has worked with exotic animal species including chimpanzees in Uganda, Galapagos tortoises, black rhinos, tigers, royal antelope and red-tail Boas. But then, most students don’t have Steve Culver as their teacher.

Culver, San Diego Zoo’s senior veterinary technician and Ramona High School Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Veterinary Assistant instructor, brings his expertise and passion for working with animals to his Ramona High ROP students in the classroom setting and beyond. Recently featured on the cover of Veterinary Technician magazine, Culver has taught the ROP Veterinary Assistant course for three years in the hopes of passing on his love of the industry to students interested in the veterinary field.

“I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for me to share stories about my experiences in veterinary medicine,” said Culver in his recent interview with Veterinary Technician magazine, pointing out the benefits he receives from teaching at Ramona High as well. “I understand what I do so much more clearly as a result of dissecting and teaching its stepwise methodology.”

In his ROP course on introductory methods in veterinary medicine and assisting, students learn about everything from medical records and office procedures, to health and safety, vaccinations, radiology, and even surgery.

“I try to keep the course fun for the students, so we do gross anatomy projects like dissecting pigs and rats,” said Culver.

“The students perform mock surgeries on stuffed animals, and even administer injections.”

Going beyond the boundaries of the classroom, Culver has taken his students on field trips to the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park Hospital, Humane Society and wildlife facilities in Ramona. In addition, Culver’s students have the opportunity to get real-life training by volunteering at local veterinary practices. Such hands-on experience provides an environment for students to get prepared for careers in the veterinary field, whether it is as a veterinary assistant, technician, or veterinarian.

ROP is a professional career development program that offers a multitude of courses open to all residents who are 16 years of age or older. Through this public education service, individuals can receive vocational and technical training, career counseling and placement instruction. With 500 tuition-free courses offered throughout 22 different San Diego County high school and community college districts, students are prepared to meet business and industry needs and standard on current and future labor market demands. For more information of ROP please visit the website at www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/rop.