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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

When asked if she is the oldest of her siblings, Ansley Hawley can answer, “I am both the youngest and the oldest.”
This can be true because Hawley was adopted at one week old.
“I was brought to Winston-Salem by my parents, who were in Kansas the day that I was born,” Hawley said. “My parents were very open with me about being adopted from as early as I can remember. They also adopted my sister from another family.
“Both my sister and I were always encouraged to try new things and develop our interests. I tried activities like dance and horseback riding. In high school, I played volleyball to stay active, and I enjoyed being part of a team. Additionally, as a teenager, I liked working at my uncle’s veterinary clinic, Mt. Tabor Animal Hospital. It reminded me daily how much I loved animals, and how in tune to their needs I was. When I was 16 years old, I would work there on the weekdays when my schedule allowed me to and on the weekends. I realized my passion was really starting to lead me down to something more serious.”
Hawley made sure that she balanced her schoolwork with her desire to learn more about veterinary medicine.
“My parents had always been very proactive about helping me with my educational needs, especially when they learned when I was younger that I had dyslexia,” Hawley said. “My mom had even started looking into getting Orton Gillingham trained in order to better support me and provide me with the necessary tools to learn most efficiently. It ultimately led to her going to help other students beside myself at Summit School.
“I’ve been very proud of her dedication to helping provide tools to students that are so smart, they just need the Orton Gillingham resources to learn in a way that speaks to them.”
With the confidence instilled in her academically and the years of shadowing at her uncle’s vet clinic, Hawley was ready to start full-time after she graduated from high school.
“I stayed there for a year after graduating,” Hawley said. “After gaining valuable experience with my uncle, I began working at Hillsdale Animal Hospital in 2016, and have been there ever since as a veterinary assistant. A lot has changed during that time.
“I’ve gotten to work with some amazing clients, both humans and ones with four legs. Nothing is more rewarding than helping clients better care for their animals and teaching them the educational component to accomplish it. And simultaneously getting to snuggle and play with some really adorable animals. I’m not intimidated to do a tougher blood draw, and like being able to calm down animals when they are nervous.”
Another perk of Hawley’s job is that she gets to help animals that are in a local rescue.
“We help work with rescues that have these amazing animals that are being given another chance to find a family of their own,” Hawley said. “Being part of their journey to give them some extra love and medical care is so rewarding. It’s always a bonus if they end up coming back as clients and seeing them get the life and family they deserve.”
Aside from playing matchmaker to animals with humans, Hawley had a similar experience with meeting her future husband, Deaton, through mutual friends.
“We met about a year after I started working at Hillsdale, and have a son, Ryeder (5) who we adore to pieces,” Hawley said. “He’s very active right now, so it’s nice that he has both sets of grandparents who are very involved and help out with him. Deaton and I are really lucky how much they love on him and want to be part of his life. Working full time and having a child takes a lot of energy, so we appreciate our village of people who help make that possible.”
Gaining the perspective of being a parent also made it a meaningful experience to meet her biological mother.
“I had always appreciated how open my parents were about my adoption,” Hawley said. “It was natural to meet my biological mother, and when we met it was like we had known each other for years. We have stayed in contact since our initial meeting. It was wild how much we resembled each other too.”
Sharing her next chapter as a mother is something that Hawley really enjoys with her entire family.
“I can’t believe that Ryeder is already in kindergarten,” Hawley said. “I am excited to see what it has in store for him, and also to see how much he loves it. Since he gets to attend the same school where my mom teaches, he feels like a big man on campus, and it’s the cutest thing. I am grateful that I know he’s in a place that he loves and is learning while I get to spend time with some really cute animals for a living.”