Animal Studies

It’s safe to say I am obsessed with animals! I was born and raised on a farm and have a wide variety of experience working in the animal industry. I initially qualified and worked as a Veterinary Nurse, then came to work as a lecturer and course tutor at Brooksby in the year 2000 for 4 years. After having children, I set up my own animal behaviour and training business for 9 years. I have also worked as a Veterinary Nurse, Animal Trainer and Behaviour and Training Specialist at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, as well as an assistance dog trainer for Medical Alert dogs and Hearing Dogs for deaf people. I was lucky enough to come back to work at Brooksby in my current role in April 2023.

I own a menagerie of animals including sheep, horses, 3 dogs, 2 cats and Guinea Pigs. I also have two teenage twin daughters to keep me on my toes.

Who is your favourite animal on the unit?

My favourite animal at Brooksby has to be Lester the sheep (but shhh don’t tell the others)!

Sam Challinor is an Animal Studies Lecturer at SMB College Group.

Sam first started working with animals at 15 years old, volunteering at Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Equestrian Centre, where he would assist with horse welfare, sessions for people with disabilities, fundraising, and running the social media for the stables.

Sam then attended Reaseheath College alongside volunteering at RSPCA Coventry. He mostly volunteered in the cats section where he was responsible for husbandry, microchipping, and general care. Sam then went on to work at Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary with a range of species such as Roe deer, red foxes, boa constrictors, and swans, contributing to care, rehabilitation and release. After this Sam attended Plymouth University studying BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare where he had the opportunity of working at Paignton Zoo, Dartmoor zoo and the National Marine Aquarium. Sam did his dissertation on social learning theory in Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches and whether they are able to learn from one another in order to find food and resources.

Sam has halped nine students to attend veterinary medicine universities whilst at SMB College Group. He has two dogs named Skip and Spyro - Spyro is one of the kennel dogs at the College that students are able to work with.

Sam has a level 2 qualification in training donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary. Sam is a Microsoft Innovative Educator and an advanced practitioner, he works in the lab on campus undergoing biochemistry reactions and dissections, and runs the LGBTQ+ community group at Brooksby campus.

I graduated University in 2017 with a 1^st Class Degree in Animal Management and then went on to complete my Master’s degree in Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation in 2020. Over 4 ½ years I have worked with dogs in rescue and rehoming kennels, focussing on behaviour modification and training.

I have also completed 2 internships in South Africa on a game reserve and have worked with large carnivores at a Safari park. I Joined Brooksby as an Animal Technician in October 2022.

I studied at Brooksby and completed my Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management in 2015. I then worked at Stonehurst Farm for 2 years, after completing work experience there. I have also worked as a manager in hospitality, then decided to pursue a career in Animal Care and applied for a job at Brooksby College where I have been working as an Animal Technician since 2022.

In my spare time, I sing with an acoustic duo and we perform regularly at pubs and I dabble in photography and read a lot of books! I love to take my dog, Charlie out for long walks.

Who is your favourite animal on the unit?

There are too many to choose from but I do very much enjoy the ferrets as they are extremely comical and love to play.

I studied level 3 Animal Care in 2008 at Brooksby and then continued my studies further by completing the foundation degree with the College.

I have worked at SMB College Group for 2 years as an Animal Technician and I have seen the animal unit grow and evolve over this time. I love that I get to work with an amazing group of people and animals on site.

I have recently completed levels 2 and 3 dog grooming qualifications at Brooksby and work alongside the dog grooming tutor, Donna, on Tuesdays. As well as working as an Animal Technician, I am lucky enough to have my own part-time dog grooming business.  At home I live with my partner, my little boy and my dogs – Ned and Stormi! Ned is a Border Terrier cross and was a rescue from Dogs Trust 9 years ago. He is now a great age at 14 and is still a lively old man who loves going for walks. Stormi is a 2 year old Golden Doodle, who has recently joined our family and is settling in well.

Who is your favourite animal on the unit?

I love all the animals on the unit, they each bring something so unique…If you ask any of them, they are my favourite.

I attended SMB College Group in 2011 and completed the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management. After college I worked as a Housekeeper at Ragdale Hall Spa, where I developed a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene (which will show if you have me during practical sessions). I have always wanted a career working with animals since I was young and knew I needed to pursue the goal and return back to animal care. I returned to Brooksby in 2017 and completed the Advanced Level 3 Animal Care Apprenticeship. Upon completion of my apprenticeship, I was offered the Animal Technician role.

At home, I have a dog called Cookie who you will meet in the kennels, a cat called Fortune, 3 leopard geckos and tropical fish. I also have a 12-month-old little girl who keeps me busy when I am not at work.

Who is your favourite animal on the unit?

If I had to pick a favourite animal on the unit I would say Peaches, our ginger unit cat.

We have 2 Berkshire pigs called Marilyn and Mildred. We have had them since they were weaned as piglets (so around 5 months) and they are approximately 8 months old. Students currently get involved with feeding and cleaning them out, as well as grooming, behavioural observations and health checking the pigs. They will also begin training them using positive reinforcement this year along with ideas for enrichment for them to keep them mentally stimulated, such as designing puzzle feeders, scratching posts etc., 

• Scientific name: Pyxicephalus adspersus
• Sex: Female
• Date of arrival: February 2017
• Average adult size: Females 11-15cm, Males 20-25cm
• Average lifespan: 20-40 years
• Temperament: Friendly but can mistake fingers for food!
• Markings/colour: Green, some hints of yellow underneath

• Scientific name: grammostola rosea
• Sex: Female
• Not sure of date of arrival
• Average adult size; Female 7.5cm body / leg span 15cm
• Average lifespan: 20+ years (males much shorter, 3-7 years)
• Temperament: Docile, calm, mild mannered
• Markings/colour: Dark brown

• Scientific name: Atelerix Albiventris
• Sex: Male
• Date of birth: 6^th April 2021
• Average adult size: Between 5-8 inches
• Average lifespan: 5-10 years
• Temperament: Prickly temperament, grunts when disturbed
• Additional: African Pygmy hedgehogs are a hybrid of the white-bellied and the Algerian hedgehog and is the most popular species of hedgehog to keep as a pet.

• Scientific name: Iguana Iguana
• Sex: Male
• Average adult size: 6.5ft
• Average lifespan: 10-20 years
• Temperament: Calm & curious
• Markings/colour: Green/grey/blue - Striped tail
• Additional: Green Iguanas have razor sharp teeth and sharp tails. They use their tails as whips to drive off predators. They also are tough enough to land on solid ground from as high as 40 feet and survive.