The Wildlife Center of Virginia teaches dozens of people every year how to care for sick and injured animals at their Waynesboro facility.

Now, the animal treatment center is expanding its reach with the 'Wildlife Care Academy.'

The online and hands-on courses will teach basic rehabilitation skills and eventually explore more advanced medical management opportunities.

"Initially, we're going to focus on foundational knowledge that can be taught online to get people started, get them the basics, and then enable them to make the decision of what type of advanced training they want to do," said Ed Clark, the president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

"There will be a live instructor that allows for an interactive experience," said Dr. Kelli Knight, the director of the Wildlife Care Academy. "Students can ask questions. So this is not just 'go online and do your class on your own.' This is truly a traditional classroom-type experience with engagement between student and teacher."

Each course will last two hours and cost $25.

"We are expanding the program, because, honestly, we just can't bring everybody here," said Clark. "The demand is there, the need is there and we're going to take a big step forward in meeting that need."

Eventually, Clark said the program would entail more than rehabilitation techniques and include aspects of operating a successful animal care enter — including public education, use of social media and raising money.

"The biggest issue that faces wildlife rehabilitation centers nationwide is just the lack of adequate resources. Well, it's not brain surgery to get those resources, but you have to learn how to do it," said Clark.

More information about the Wildlife Care Academy can be found on

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