Dr. "Buddy" Faries wrote the textbook that is used by the students. When our first group started in the fall of 2002, Dr. Faries came to Sherman from Texas A&M University at College Station to present and explain this unique program to the 4-H Extension Agent, Joyce White, the Project Manager, Nancy Coffman and about 45 interested & very eager students. "Many of us were so overwhelmed at the start," said Nancy Coffman "I thought, what have I gotten myself into?"
The textbook is a study guide, a general introduction to the professional field of Veterinary Medicine. "My job as a volunteer leader/project manager, is to contact professionals and people "in the know" in these fields to introduce our students to the many career opportunities as they relate to Vet Science and to assist us in any way that they can. We invite them to teach our lessons, give us a tour of their facilities and show us what they do. They may put on a seminar or demonstration for us. Anything that relates to Vet Science or animals."
For instance, Roeann Vaughn, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #611 and some of her boy scouts came to teach a class in knot tying for the safe restraining of animals, mostly livestock. ES&H (Environmental Safety & Health) Manager, David Blackerby from Fisher Controls in Sherman, came and taught a class about "Environmental Sanitation" and how to keep the facilities clean and disinfected. Fisher Controls also donated 28 stethoscopes, which have been given out to the students when they complete their first year of studies. Officer Ashley, a bloodhound, and her 2-legged partner, Officer Shawn Hopkins of the Pilot Point Police Department came to a class to discuss Ashley's keen nose & tracking abilities. One of the students "laid a trail" out of the courthouse, around the grounds and finally across the street to a shop in Kelly Square. When Officer Ashley had her harness and badge on, she knew that it was time to go to work & find the "Missing" student. We were very impressed with how quickly she worked. We also traveled to Epting's Goat Farm in Sherman for a very informative class on handling & restraining goats, how to dehorn them, feed & nutrition, and so much more. Donovan Wedding of "Venom Unlimited" brought a few exotic mammals and snakes to a class to teach us handling and restraining.
The students are also expected to volunteer at Vet hospitals, clinics, offices, shelters, ETC. Nearly anyplace that deals with animals. This is a great experience for them. They have to log in their volunteer hours and tell what they did. Many local vets have taken an interest in the program and taken students into their practices and even under their wings. In the beginning, it is mostly about just getting used to the sights, sounds & smells of the facilities. It gives them a whole new view of a situation at times. Their eyes are more opened when it comes to animals and the care that get, or do not get, in certain settings. The students also observe what the vets & their staff do on a daily basis. Many students have been getting hands-on experience. Of course, it is never quite the same from day to day.
Dr. Locke in Sherman hired Abigail Childress after she was a volunteer for him for about a year and a half. Paige Coffman, of Whitesboro, who had been volunteering at Dr. Tolle's Animal Hospital in Pilot Point says, "One day I'm walking dogs & cleaning kennels, and the next day I'm watching emergency surgery on a dog who had been run over by a car". The dog is fine now. Some of the students have volunteered at "Greyhounds Unlimited" in Gunter, where they bathed, walked & played with the Greyhounds that have been rescued and are ready for adoption. Other students have volunteered at the Sherman Animal Shelter, where they again bath, walk & socialize with the dogs & cats that are ready for adoption. 2 students have volunteered at the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville. Kelly Mattingly of Tom Bean was a "Conservation Guide" at the Dallas Zoo in the summer of 2003. Conservation Guides are dedicated to educating visitors about animals and wildlife conservation. Most of the students have also done "rotations" with Dr. Katie Hayes Mobile Equine Clinic in Denison on Saturday mornings. A few of the older students even ride with her during the week when she does her "rounds" of area ranches & farms.
