Integrating extension activities into the veterinary medicine curriculum: An experience report

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The present report describe the experience of fifth-semester students from the
Veterinary Medicine program at the Regional University Foundation of Blumenau
(FURB), Santa Catarina, in carrying out extension activities integrated into Zoonoses
discipline, in collaboration with the Extension Project Animal- Assisted Therapy- Pet
Therapy. This initiative followed Resolution CNE/CES No.7/2018, which seeks to bring
academic learning closer to the community and foster development of communicative
and ethical competencies. Accordingly, educational workshops were conducted for the
project’s tutors and volunteers, addressing topics related to One Health, zoonoses and
animal well-being. The activities combined theoretical presentations and group dynamics
among the participating teams. As a result, tutors demonstrated learning regarding their
specific topics and expressed curiosity and engagement with the content presented by the
students.
Keywords: Animal-assisted therapy; community; zoonoses.