The O’Neal School 5th Grade Falcons take flight as Animal Advocates!
The O’Neal School 5th Grade Falcons have taken flight as they are now prepared to share the pet responsibility message with friends and families.
Twenty seven students completed five lessons about pet responsibility, presented by the Moore County Citizens’ Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC) volunteer teachers. At a recent Assembly celebration, the students impressed everyone in attendance with their knowledge about being responsible pet owners and the importance of spaying/neutering pets. All twenty seven students lifted off as advocates for animals.
They were reminded that they already began acts of advocacy with designing art and pet responsibility messages on white paper Clinic Bags. The Clinic Bags are used by the Sandhills Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic to distribute post procedure medications and instructions to pet owners who come to pick up their pets after a spay or neuter.
During the Assembly, several students were recognized for their excellent Clinic Bag artwork and messages: Kaylee, Jael, Elizabeth, Emery, Ava Rose, Riley, Sadie and Vera.
Students were also asked to write “Speuter” stories explaining why it is important to spay/neuter their pets. Congratulations to Helena, Kaylee (who both wrote poems) and Elizabeth. They received framed certificates and a Speuter paw print medallion. Their families were invited to the Assembly.
Helena’s cat will be neutered. Kaylee and Elizabeth donated their free ‘fix’ to people who need to have their pets ‘fixed.’ All are Advocates!
Clinic Bag and Speuter Award recipients received special gift bags for their efforts.
Dr. Tony Ioppolo, from the Pinehurst Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic, was the very special speaker at the Assembly. Dr. Ioppolo talked about the education needed to be a veterinarian, the day to day activities at a veterinary clinic, the interesting challenges of being a veterinarian. He also examined a ‘patient’, Beanie Wall, a white poodle. The students also learned about other careers working with animals. The students asked some excellent questions and probably would have stayed for another hour to listen and learn from Dr. Ioppolo.
Both Dr. Rains and Ms. Nieto were thanked for their support of the Pet Responsibility Education program. They are truly advocates for their students and for animals!
At the end of the Assembly, the 5th graders signed a poster to commit to their promise to be kind, responsible advocates for animals.
As the students returned to their classrooms, they each received a goody bag that included a Pet Responsibility bookmark, pencil, eraser, and paw print notepad. They also received a bag with treats to remember the lessons: a Life Saver (as they are advocates), a Hershey’s Kiss (we love pets), and a Kit Kat (a reminder not to forget cats). A candy cane was included to remind them to have a Happy Holiday.
The O’Neal 5th grade Falcons are now prepared to lift off, fly and go sky-high into Animal Advocacy.
