Fran shared fascinating stories about the different animals she treats, leaving the pupils buzzing with excitement and full of questions.

During her visit, the children explored the world of animals, discussing the different groups (warm and cold-blooded), their diets, and the essentials they need to thrive. The pupils were amazed to learn that dogs need around 16 hours of sleep each day, with puppies needing a whopping 20 snooze-filled hours. Cats, they also heard, are rather fussy creatures (less of a surprise!), and prefer to have their water bowls kept completely separate from their food area.

Fran also shared some surprising facts: carrots and lettuce are a no-no for rabbits and guinea pigs, who need hay or grass to stay healthy. Rabbits are also very fond of eating their own poop. This created quite a reaction from the Year 2s who were keen to know more. Apparently, the first round of rabbit digestion creates large, jelly-coated poops, but the second digestion gives us the familiar raisin-shaped ones. You really do learn something new every day!

The children were equally fascinated to learn that cows have four stomachs to help digest their food – who knew our farmyard friends were so complicated?

It was an afternoon full of animal fun and discovery, with students eagerly sharing stories about their own pets. We’re so grateful to Fran for her time and expertise and hope she’ll visit us again soon for more animal adventures.