The St. Augustine Humane Society has some special visitors of the human variety this summer.
Mallie and Ainsley are students at Beachside High School and, for the second summer in a row, are interning at the St. Augustine Humane Society. They are part of a program that gives high school students the skills to graduate with real on-the-job knowledge.
Students who enroll in Beachside High School’s Academy of Veterinary Studies, St. Johns County’s only high school program of its kind, can earn an industry certificate as a Certified Veterinary Assistant and are prepared for careers in veterinary medicine. And with the Humane Society’s high volume of work, Mallie and Ainsley are learning a lot.
“Interning with the Humane Society has allowed me to get a lot of hands-on experience working with the animals,” said Mallie. “It’s awesome to have a behind-the-scenes look at the veterinary world.”
“I love that every day here is so different,” added Ainsely. “I’ve been able to experience so much with this internship that I honestly don’t think I would have elsewhere.”
The interns work 25-30 hours per week and interact with at least 30 patients each day. They need 250 total hours for the academy’s four-year curriculum.
Many veterinary internships are not as hands-on. On any given day, the interns may complete patient intake, prep animals for surgery, sterilize surgical supplies, process bloodwork, use a microscope to identify parasites and more. The Humane Society’s supervisory staff promotes as much hands-on learning as possible.
“This intern program is such an incredible opportunity for the students and for us,” said Operations Manager Jeannie McLain. “They are so motivated and eager to learn, and we love being able to share such vital knowledge and experiences with them.”
The interns’ help is greatly needed, as the Human Society’s mission is a big one. They work tirelessly to ensure that all pets are safe, happy and healthy through low-cost services.
Funding can be the biggest obstacle to the longevity of experiences like the intern program.
“I love being able to see the passion that our interns have for the animals, and it’s just amazing to see them learning so much every day,” said Carolyn Sindad Smith, Humane Society executive director. “That’s why it is important to keep this program going.”
The best way to support the Humane Society’s work is to get involved in its fundraisers. Currently, the organization is hosting the 2025 Sweet Things Pin Up Paws Calendar Contest, where humans can submit pictures of their pet companions for a chance to be in the annual calendar.
For more information, to enter your pet or cast a vote, go to pinuppaws.com.
