Running head: ANIMAL CRUELTY AWARENESS 1

Animal Cruelty Awareness

Yeselia Reynoso

Waxahachie Global High

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Contents

Overview..............................................................................................................................3

Purpose and Benefits...........................................................................................................3

The Passion Behind the Project...........................................................................................3

Mentor..................................................................................................................................4

Research Topics...................................................................................................................4

Project Prototype.................................................................................................................5

Audience..............................................................................................................................5

Milestones............................................................................................................................5

Measure of Success..............................................................................................................6

Engineering Process.............................................................................................................7

Veterinary Office..................................................................................................................8

Inspiration Pictures..............................................................................................................8

References..........................................................................................................................10
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Overview

Animal abuse is a major issue with animals in the United States, from underground dog

fighting rings, hoarding of animals, to individuals who neglect their pets. According to humane

society, about 70% of abused animals are dogs, and less than 30% of abused animals are cats.

Knowing this, I would like to not only like to expand my knowledge on animal health care, but

help raise awareness of animal abuse to the community. I will be able to expand my knowledge

by shadowing my mentor (a veterinarian) and being aware of the different ways to raise several

animals. I will meet with my mentor at least twice a month to better understand animal health

care.

Purpose and Benefits

The purpose of this Capstone idea is to raise awareness and to give a better understanding

of animal abuse in the Waxahachie community. The benefits of doing this project is because I

want to be a veterinarian in the future, and it is also something that I am strongly passionate

about. I will use my passion and ambition to get a mentorship under a veterinarian and further

my knowledge in the care of animals.

The Passion Behind the Project

The reason why I am so passionate in area is because I have rescued and raised two

abused/neglected dogs, and I am thankful to have rescued them. When I first got my pets, I had

no clue how much work there is put into taking care of them. There is a lot of work that goes into

taking care of a rescue dog such as properly training them, making them comfortable in their

new environment, and letting them get to know other animals. I have had experience in taking

care of my own animals and some other individuals animals. But, I am not a professional in
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knowing how to care for any pets or animals. Raising my dogs helped me realize of how

passionate I am in the care for animals and pets. After I finish high school, I will carry on to

pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Mentor

Dr. Del Walters

Veterinary Practice Owner
University of Kansas School of Medicine
MPH degree
D.V.M

Research Topics

One of the ideas for a research topic is researching about animal abuse in America, and

the effects of it on the mental status of the animal, and how to care for abused or neglected

animals. Another idea that could researched about, is animal cruelty and the use of animal

experimentation in beauty products. From this, research can be done on cruelty free products and

how different they are from animal cruelty products. My final idea can be about the use of

animals for entertainment, and how it affects the animal.

Project Prototype

The project will consist of a brochure that describes how to properly care for a dog. The

reason why the brochure will discuss that is because a lot of cruelty cases are committed because
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people lack the knowledge on how to care for their dog. There will also be three fliers: one will

discuss animal cruelty laws in Texas, the second will be what to always carry with you when

going out with your dog, and lastly it will discuss who to call to report animal cruelty.

Audience

I would like to present my final project to any veterinarian or any persons who work in a

veterinarian clinic. Id also like to present my capstone to my mentor and the individuals who

work for him. There will also be documentations done on a blog with updates of what I have

learned thus far. The audience will be those who go visit the blog website. The final Capstone

project will be presented at the capstone showcase where anyone may come and learn about my

project.

Milestones

Date Milestone Completed?

October 19, Get a mentorship at a veterinarian clinic. Yes

2016

October 28, Begin shadowing mentor. Yes

2016

October 28, Talk to mentor about constraints and confidentiality. Yes

2016

November 10, Begin researching about animal abuse and learn Yes
2016 about ways to help prevent it. Also, begin asking
mentor questions on how to raise an abused animal.

December 1, Begin to design a series of objects for raising animals Yes

2016 such as: treats, toys, beds, etc. (design care package)

December 10, Possibly start researching about starting a drive for No

2016 dog/cat toys, dog/cat food, etc.

January 1, Research about how abuse and neglect affects an Yes

2017 animals behavior.

January 7, Research ways to make abused animals more Yes

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2017 comfortable in their environment

February 18, Finish making dog toys Yes

2017

March 25, Create a brochure on tips and tricks on how to Yes

2017 properly raise a dog.

March 25, Create a flyer on things to always bring with you for Yes
2017 your dog.

April 6, 2017 Make flyers about animal cruelty laws and who to
contact to report animal abuse

April 8, 2017 Make the dog treats

April 9, 2017 Make final adjustments to animal care package, and

make several animal care packages.

April 9, 2017 Put the animal care package together

April 10, 2017 Send out the animal care packages

April 10, 2017 Send out animal cruelty survey for students to take

April 11, 2016 Get supplies for tri-fold and begin design

April 16, 2017 Get feedback on animal care package

April 18, 2016 Complete trifold draft

May 18, 2017 Present Capstone project

Measure of Success

To measure my success, I could meet with my mentor and ask any questions that I may

have, and discuss what I have done on my project thus far. I could also make surveys for the

individuals who got a care package and ask how well it worked for them, and ask if there is

anything different I could do (5 good feedback results).

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Engineering Process

Define the Problem: There is a lack of knowledge about animal abuse in the community.

(Ex. how it can affect an animal, and how to properly care for a dog, items to always

carry with you when with your dog, etc.)

Do Background Research: Research about: What animal abuse is, how animal abuse

affects the mental status of an animal, and how to care for an abused animal. There will

also be research on cruelty laws in Texas and who to report animal abuse to.
Specify Requirements: Cannot meet with mentor weekly, because of lack of times, and

our locations from one another is very far. The care package must also be able to suit all

dogs.
Brainstorm Solutions: Outline a process of steps to help put a stop/aware animal lovers

about animal abuse. Also, outline a process of steps on how to care for abused dog, or

how to properly care for a dog to prevent accidental animal abuse and neglect.
Design and Build Prototype: The prototype is the dog care package; the second prototype

is also the blog website that discusses my project.

Test: Get feedback from mentor. Test animal care package on several animals.
Refine the Prototype: Make any corrections on the click and treat if needed. Such as,

better treats that the animal would want

Present Findings and Reflect: Get feedback on dog care packages and present the

package at the final Capstone Showcase.

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Veterinary Office

Image of Brookside Animal Hospital

Image of inside of Brookside

Animal Hospital

Inspiration Pictures

Rescue dog (Blade)

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Bon-Bon

Rescue dog (Tiger)

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References

Dodman, Nicholas (2014, September 14). How to Care for an Abused Dog.

http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/behavior-training/understanding-your-dog/how-to-care-

for-an-abused-pet.
The Humane Society (2016). Animal Cruelty Facts and Stats.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/facts/animal_cruelty_facts_statistics.html