Stefan Zivojnovic

Livestock Management

• Animal Husbandry: Learning how to care for various types of mountain livestock (e.g., sheep, goats, cattle) by understanding their needs in terms of diet, health, and breeding.
• Herding and Grazing Practices: Gaining hands-on experience in managing livestock in free-range systems, understanding rotational grazing, and managing pasture health.

Animal Breeding and Genetics

• Selective Breeding: Understanding the principles of selective breeding to improve the quality of livestock, including traits like hardiness, disease resistance, and productivity in mountainous environments.
• Animal Behavior: Observing and understanding livestock behavior in the context of mountain farming, including managing herding, mating, and calving or lambing.

Community and Cooperative Engagement

• Cooperative Farming: Understanding how mountain farms often work together in cooperatives to share resources, tools, and markets, and developing skills in collective decision-making and problem-solving.
• Marketing and Sales: Gaining experience in marketing farm products to local and regional markets, including branding, pricing, and direct-to-consumer sales (farmers markets, farm shops).

Animal Behavior and Training

• Herding Techniques: Gaining skills in training and managing herding dogs, as well as handling livestock to move efficiently in rugged mountainous terrain.
• Animal Welfare: Understanding the principles of animal welfare, ensuring livestock are healthy, well-cared-for, and protected from stress or injury in harsh environments.

Clinical Skills:

· Animal Examination: Performing physical exams on various animals (dogs, cats, exotic pets) to assess health.

· Diagnosis and Treatment: Assisting in diagnosing conditions and developing treatment plans under supervision.

· Surgical Assistance: Observing or assisting in surgeries such as spays, neuters, and emergency procedures.

· Anesthesia Monitoring: Learning to monitor animals under anesthesia, including vital signs and recovery.

Client Interaction:

· Client Communication: Communicating with pet owners about the care, treatment, and procedures for their pets, including delivering diagnoses and treatment plans.

· Emergency Care Advice: Offering guidance on what to do in emergency situations (poisoning, trauma) while consulting with senior veterinarians.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

· Collaborating with Veterinarians and Technicians: Working closely with other veterinary professionals, such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and support staff, to provide comprehensive care.

· Multidisciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to different specializations (e.g., surgery, dentistry, dermatology, cardiology) through rotation or shadowing.

Animal Handling and Behavior:

· Safe Animal Handling: Learning how to safely and gently handle animals, especially nervous or aggressive pets.

· Behavioral Observations: Observing animal behavior and learning how to assess signs of stress, aggression, or fear.