Wignall Animal Hospital and Lowell Veterinary Clinic recently participated in “The Animal Club” in Dracut. Dr. Nancy Kopec and Veterinary Technician, Bonnie Merrill, were featured speakers at the animal-lovers after school program. The Animal Club provides an educational outlet for children at the Brookside Elementary School in Dracut, one afternoon each week. As the program name indicates, the club was developed for children with a strong interest in animals, animal care and perhaps even some aspiring future veterinarians! The program leaders, parents Joanne Kelley and Erin Mosher, reached out to animal care professionals in Dracut and Wignall responded by providing 2 of the 4 speakers for the program.
Dr. Kopec is the full time veterinary at the Wignall satellite clinic, Lowell Veterinary Clinic. She spoke to the club members about basic pet health and provided them with some fun, educational hands-on 
activities to help them learn about the differences between species. She also taught them some key facts about different animal systems, such as the eye, heart and ear. Sending each child home with a “teaching stethoscope” in their Wignall Goody Bags was a big hit with all participants.
Veterinary Technician, Bonnie Merrill, was the other featured speaker at The Animal Club. As a Veterinary Technician, also referred to as a Veterinary Nurse, Bonnie is one of the senior staff at Wignall Animal Hospital. Her presentation to the club members focused on emergencies, basic pet first aid and information about all kinds of pets, from snakes to rabbits. She was flooded with a stream of questions and enthusiasm! Wignall provided each child and his/her parent with a basic Pet First Aid Kit to keep handy at home or in the family car for travel with pets. The Animal Club members are now well on their way to become animal information resources for their families!
