Two Cooperative Education students from the District School Board of Niagara who both work with horses and are receiving unique experiences................................
When I was 4 years old my parents told me we were moving from Toronto to the Niagara area. My mom tells me my first question was, "So, does that mean I can get my horse now?" I began to ride horses and eventually volunteer with the H.A.T.S. Program. (Horse Alternative Therapeutic Services Program). I knew I loved horses but wanted to explore working with them, even more. In Grade 12 at Beamsville District Secondary School when I had the opportunity to take Cooperative Education, I wanted to continue this exploration. My placement is with John Hayes Stables in Beamsville, and my supervisor is Jennifer Sharp, a former Cooperative Education student with the District School Board of Niagara, who also has a passion and a great deal of experience working with horses. I thoroughly enjoy working with the horses at the
stables. Cleaning the stalls, feeding the horses, grooming and caring for the horses are my main duties. Have you ever seen a horse swim in a pool? At my placement there is a swimming pool made specifically for horses. I help to lead the horses in and out of the heated pool and time their swim. I then groom the horses after their swim.I have learned that working with race horses is a fast paced environment. We have to work as a team and have excellent communication skills to get all of the daily tasks completed.I plan to continue working with horses after my Cooperative Education placement and I have graduated from high school by further exploring the area of massage therapy. I am considering taking a two year Equine Massage Therapy training program at D'AL School of Equine Massage Therapy in London, Ontario or another Equine Program at the University of Guelph.
Written by Angela Tache’ - Beamsville District Secondary School
Amanda McPherson is a Grade 12 student from Eastdale S S in Welland who is also working with horses. When Amanda was in JK she lived in Wainfleet with her grandparents who owned a farm. They had pigs, cows, horses. All of the animals became too much for them so they sold the pigs and cows and kept the horses. She and her cousins would ride and take care of the horses everyday. When she was about 12, she moved to Welland. Every time she visited her grandparents she enjoyed riding the horses. As a result of her love of horses, Amanda decided to do a Cooperative Education placement at the ICAN-T.E.R. program in Ridgeway. This program was founded in 1993. It was envisioned that the total farm experience would provide an atmosphere where those with and without special needs could
flourish. The concept of using farm animals, nature, horses and horse-related activities to accomplish therapeutic goals was immediately embraced by the community. After completing secondary school, Amanda plan’s to do a Horse Groomer apprenticeship at ICAN-T.E.R. She would like to pursue a career as a massage therapist for animals. Once she completes her apprenticeship, she plans to attend Guelph University to study the equine program.
Amanda McPherson - Eastdale
Eric Griffi is a student from Fort Erie Secondary School who is learning about pharmacy
Eric Griffi is a Grade 12 student from Fort Erie Secondary School who is working at Shopper’s Drug Mart as a Pharmacy Assistant. Eric chose this particular placement because he wanted to see if this was the career field that he would like to go in to and to get real life hands on experience. Some of the duties performed at his placement include: filling prescriptions, taking doctor and patient phone calls, cashing out clients, putting away stock, creating prescription labels and hard copies. He has found his Cooperative Education placement to be very interesting. It has allowed him to gain experience in the field like no other opportunity would. Eric plans to go to university to study as a science major and then apply to a pharmacy or medically related field.
Eric Griffi - Fort Erie Secondary School
Josh Clements is gaining practical experience to pursue his post-secondary goal
Josh Clements is a Grade 12 student from Beamsville Secondary School who is doing a co-op placement this semester at the Tallman Funeral Home in Vineland. As part of the pre-placement orientation Josh used Career Cruising to help him identify careers that he might be interested in. Funeral Director was one of them and he decided to pursue it. Josh performs many duties at his placement: he attends body removals and assists when needed, helps set up for visitations, sits in pre-arrangements, assists during embalming by passing instruments, cleans the funeral home, acts as a pall bearer when needed and rides along to the crematorium. Josh likes working with people and making a difference in someone’s life. He is getting a lot of experience that is preparing him for his future.
Josh plans on attending the Funeral Director course at Humber College in September. One of the requirements of the program is that the applicant must have 40 hours of practical experience to be considered for the course. This Cooperative Education placement will definitely help Josh to meet the requirement.
Josh Clement - Beamsville District Secondary School
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