Participants were invited to roll up their sleeves and learn how to care for animals large and small at the third annual Vet for a Day event at Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview on Saturday.
With an expected 250 participants, pint-sized vets and their families learned how to listen to a cow’s heartbeat through a stethoscope, administer doggy CPR, suture and bandage their pets and view animal X-rays under the expert guise of veterinarian volunteers from the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association.
“Our education stations were designed initially by asking vets to think about what they found most fascinating about their jobs,” said Sarah Schoeneberg, Historic Wagner Farm program manager. “All our activities evolved from that set of actual experiences.”
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The event also highlighted local 4-H Club livestock projects, wagon rides and take-home craft projects for kids.
Tracy Richter of Wilmette attended Vet for a Day with her son Jakob, 10, and daughters Helena, 7, and Elise, 4.
“It’s nice to experience a piece of the natural world and to meet the animals and to have that experience so close to home,” Richter said.
Robert J. Ebbesmeyer, president of the Board of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, said the event provides an opportunity for adults and children to learn what vets do.
“A vet doesn’t only treat household pets, but works with a great variety of animals including livestock, and we are there to help owners feel more comfortable and understanding of treatments as well,” Ebbesmeyer said.
Kim Wiersma of Glenview said it’s important for kids to participate in events like this one.
“It makes them more aware of the difficult work done on a farm and helps humanize their understanding of the process,” Wiersma said.
