Spanish for Animal Healthcare part 1

Colorado State University has launched a new undergraduate certificate in "Spanish for Animal Health and Care." The aim is to address the language communication gap.

Instructor Shannon Zeller says the team in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures want to make sure students in veterinary and animal science fields can communicate with Spanish speakers in a farm or ranch setting.

"Because the students are aware they need to be able to communicate with the workforce because they are the ones that are the hands on caretakers of the animals. Things like asking questions, giving directions, providing feedback."

Zeller and Professor Maura Velazquez-Castillo found that animal welfare is at stake when English speaking healthcare provides encounter primarily Spanish speaking workers. And currently up to 90 percent of the livestock workforce is made up of primarily Spanish speakers.

The new certificate will be offered by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures beginning this fall, and will be available in an online-only format as well as in person.

Addressing cultural differences in curriculum in out next report.