This past week Reeltown Elementary School kindergarten classes got to have a real look at what it means to be a veterinarian and work with livestock.
On this class field trip, students visited Reeltown’s Four Daughters Veterinary Services where they learned from veterinarian and owner Dr. Andrew Lovelady; Regional Extension Agent of Animal Sciences and Forages Rachel Phillips; Anna Barron with Macon County Conservation District; professional farriers Ron Sorrells and Sage Flurry; and Outreach Programs Administrator Dawn Smith with the County Extension Office.
The 84 kindergarteners split into groups to rotate to different speakers. During the day, they learned about how animals receive medical treatments such as shots or X-rays.
Plus, they learned about the ways we use animal by-products in everyday life such as with shaving cream and chewing gum. The students also got to meet some horses and ponies.
RES school counselor Lisa Lovelady, and wife of Dr. Lovelady, said with four children of their own the couple understands kids learn best with the help of visual aids, hands-on activities and demonstrations. They are very thankful to the speakers for coming out and providing that opportunity.
Four Daughters Veterinary Services opened in the Reeltown area in September of this year.
The practice hopes to do more events like this in the future and is glad one of the kindergarten teachers approached them with this idea.
“Veterinary Medicine is so interesting and has components that appeal to everyone,” Lisa said. “We are clearly building a business and sinking our roots even deeper into Tallapoosa County, with that being said, we are capable of sharing our time, skills, education and facilities right now. As we grow we hope to reach a point to support more employment and contribute in even greater ways to this area.”