Student Experiences: Smith Sheep and Stuff

Submitted by Hannah King, North Carolina State University

An influential experience in my lifetime was working for Regan Smith for two lambing seasons. I

first met Regan, owner of Smith Sheep and Stuff, in January of 2021, and came to admire him

as we worked together that winter/spring. Through a series of referrals, I contacted Regan in fall

of 2020 and planned to intern with him for lambing season. It quickly became obvious to me that

as a producer in the animal agriculture industry, Regan recognizes the value of youth and is

dedicated to helping individuals who are excited about commercial livestock. Having never met

me prior, he took a risk and allowed me to intern with his operation as a young and eager

college student. He constantly has students from the local high school and junior college

working for him, allowing young people interested in the animal agriculture field to gain skills

and hands on knowledge. He also talked with each of us individually encouraging us to seek out

additional education, whether by continuing a formal education or going to work for another

producer. While working at his operation, he made sure to take the time to show me any

educational opportunities that came up. Many times did a dystocia present during lambing

season that he could fix quickly, but instead allowed me to resolve it myself for my own gain of

practical skills and knowledge. While I was many times slower than he was, he valued my own

learning and was willing to make that investment in my learning. This happened in many cases,

such as sewing prolapses, treating entropions, and administering medications.

While investing in the youth of the industry, Regan runs a successful operation due to his

practical business skills. As a business owner, he is constantly thinking many steps ahead to

ensure he makes decisions to benefit the operation. This is a valuable skill, and can be helpful

in the field of veterinary medicine as one must be considering future outcomes and long-term

solutions when determining a treatment plan for an animal. Often times a veterinarian must be

able to understand the business aspect of the operation, as many times the animal's value is

weighed against the cost of treatment. Another thing very admirable of Regan is his positive

attitude. In the commercial sheep industry, there are many good days, but bad days are also

inevitable. Even when things were not favorable, Regan always managed to have a positive

attitude when working. I value this quality during my time working with him, as a negative

attitude or harsh employer could have led to discouragement. In any life situation one may find

themselves in, maintaining a positive attitude is extremely beneficial to remaining motivated,

focused, and productive in one's work without causing additional consequences. I hope that one

day people will say the same things about me; that I am a good and patient teacher who values

long-term investment in youth, that I make sound decisions to maintain a successful practice,

and that I can see enough positives in any day to make me a pleasant colleague and mentor.

My experience at Smith Sheep and Stuff was like no other where I was able to immerse myself

in ovine medicine and gained so many practical skills I would not have done anywhere else.

However, more importantly, the experience also allowed me to work with an exceptional

individual like Regan who will serve as a role model to me through the rest of my life. I learned

how to be genuine and passionate in one’s work, while questioning your own decisions and

making sure that one understands and agrees with the reasoning behind their choices. His

kindness, the same kindness that caused me to now send out a second card on Father’s Day

each year, has left a lifelong impact that I hope to be able to reflect onto others in my career and

the rest of my life.