SAN ANTONIO – Even though school is out for the summer, there are still learning sessions going on all over the city.
This week, a group of kids are learning to be better caretakers of pets at Animal Care Services' annual Animal Allies summer camp.
One of the lessons they are learning is the importance of spaying and neutering -- not just by talking about it but by actually watching a veterinarian perform the procedure.
"Them seeing the process, seeing it's not that hard of a process, it's not that painful for the pets, makes them feel better about complying and getting them spayed and neutered," said Dr. Fretorry Rogers, a veterinarian with ACS.
Rogers has noticed that the procedure, involving blood and scalpels and body parts, doesn't seem to faze too many of the youngsters.
He has told students, "If you get a little queasy, you can tip out," meaning they can leave the room. But most kids prefer to stay, he said.
"They tend to really enjoy it because these days, with more science in the school, they really get engaged," Rogers said.
"I kind of thought it would be sort of a run-of-the-mill surgery but it was actually pretty cool," said Kelcy Jarrett, a 15-year-old camper.
"(It's) cool how you get to see him open the dog and take out the insides," said Jessie Crutchfield, a 13-year-old camper.
The kids also learned about emergency surgeries, day-to-day care of pets and how important ACS is to the community.
Another feature of the camp involves training dogs. Professional trainer Kevin Glowski works with the kids, teaching them and a few of the residents new tricks.
"Once the dog really gets a grip on what's going on, it gets kind of easy and it gets fun," Kelcy said.
The kids work with the dogs every day and on Friday, they put on a show for friends and family.