Caneyville Elementary School preschool students were visited by nine-year-old Isaac, a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, on November 10 as part of lesson plan the kids were studying about animals and veterinarians.

Leitchfield Veterinarian Clinic’s Dr. William Payne Sr. taught the students about proper safety tips for smaller children when approaching a large animal.

Payne said it could be very dangerous for a preschooler, because most children that age are at the same height as a bigger dog for example.

“You need to introduce a small child with a dog that is on a leash,” Payne urged. “The main thing is to let the dog know ahead of time what to do. The nose of a dog is 10-20 times better than a human. Let the animal smell your hand first before petting it. Never run up to a strange dog.”

This lets the dog know that the individual is not trying to harm him.

“The dog is less likely to bite or growl,” Payne explained. “The animal is not likely to attack if the child is introduced to them slowly.”

Forty students took part in the vet visit at Mrs. Kristy Pence’s classroom. The three and four-year-olds seemed very intent to learn what life was like to be a Veterinarian.

“We were studying pets this week and kids were bringing in pictures of their pets at home,” Pence explained. “I thought it would be nice to have the Vet come and talk to the children about taking care of animals as a job.”

Pence also recommended that parents get their kids’ pets properly vaccinated. He said that was key in ensuring the animal stayed in good health.

“Spay females and neuter males,” Payne mentioned, “if you are not breeding them. They make for gentler pets if you do this. General vaccinations and flea and tick prevention is key.”