A school located in Dutchess County has a unique program that allows students to learn how to take care of animals, but not just your typical cats and dogs. It’s also open for visitors.
The Trevor Zoo is a one-of-a-kind place for learning, fun and community service.
“It was the first of its kind and still is. It’s the only accredited zoo that’s owned and operated by a private high school,” said Alan Tousignant, director of the Trevor Zoo.
What You Need To Know
- The Trevor Zoo was founded in 1936 and has grown to welcome more species and the public into its space over time
- The Trevor Zoo is the only accredited zoo in the country located on a high school campus
- There are community service opportunities for Millbrook School students, as well as public middle and high schoolers
In 1936, Millbrook School’s first biology teacher, Frank Trevor, founded the zoo on the school’s campus.
“That first science teacher recognized the great advantage of teaching science through the lens of living animals in addition to the textbook, rather than just trying to always do things out of the textbook,” Tousignant said.
Since then, the program has grown to provide students at Millbrook School, as well as public middle and high school aged summer volunteers, with hands-on experiences early on.
“If I study veterinary care or other aspects, like biology, it’s really just gonna set me up and give me kind of a head start when it comes to actual interactions with animals,” said Hannah Coon, an animal care intern at the Trevor Zoo and a Millbrook School student.
The student volunteers do a variety of tasks, including taking care of the animals.
“Sometimes, you do have to pick up poop, a lot,” Coon said. “But it’s all worth it to enrich the animals’ lives and to be a part of their welfare.”
Along with the service aspect, the public can visit the Trevor Zoo 365 days a year.
“We see about 40,000 visitors a year,” Tousignant said. “Those are people who probably aren’t going to be able to go to a lot of other zoos, either in distance or time, so we serve that community very well, I think especially in terms of providing quality education about the natural world and wildlife.”
Tousignant said children and adults alike can learn about the natural world and wildlife at the Trevor Zoo.
“There’s really nothing else in this area kind of like it,” said Kimberly Eraca, who formerly lived in Beacon. “It’s nice and calm, but enough going on that it’s interesting for my son and for me.”
“The animals are so cool to watch, see them run and just to see them, and they’re so cute,” said Eliza Beedahlberg of Connecticut.
