The staff and owner of the Sawyer Lake Veterinary Hospital are presenting a celebration of the fall harvest season. Most of the last year has been spent remodeling the former Covington Sawyer Church of Christ into a primary care center for pets and wildlife. Along with the building came a new on-site sewage plant, which in turn led to a very large garden in the leach field. The staff have been sending home produce all summer with our clients and have had some very wonderful lunches right out of the garden. With the last of the summer plants harvested, it is time to celebrate the season and the staff’s efforts to serve our community.

Tours will give visitors an overview of the primary care technologies that are used to prevent and treat illnesses in animals. The staff will have tours on the microscope of parasites, overview of digital radiography and reviews on the kinds of treatments and surgeries that we offer animals. People can meet the doctors and licensed veterinary technicians who will be conducting the tours and answering questions. The staff received contributions of pet care items and gift certificates from local businesses including Reber Ranch, Fido and Me Doggie Day Care and Horizon Pet Supply as well as products from many of our veterinary vendors to be given away during the event.

Next year, the staff plans to convert the lower floor of the building into a wildlife rehabilitation center and will be touring that area with displays to show people what plans for the future. The staff members are looking for volunteers to train over the winter for wildlife rehabilitation care as well as skilled volunteers who can help us build the outside aviaries and small mammal housing.

The public is invited from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 for the celebration. There will be covered horse drawn wagon rides for the whole family. The staff, interns and volunteers will be there to give facility tours, sponsor children’s games (i.e., apple bobbing, ring toss around the pumpkins we grew), and refreshments will be bountiful.