UGA College of Veterinary Medicine sets annual Open House for April 4

The University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine will hold its annual Open House on Friday, April 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A parade of dog breeds, rodeo and farrier demonstrations, and veterinary hospital tours are just some of the activities available at the event sponsored by UGA’s veterinary students.

This annual event will focus on veterinary medicine as an exciting, rewarding career, and will demonstrate the variety of career options available to veterinary medicine graduates.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to see firsthand the role of today’s veterinarian,” said Dr. Lari Cowgill, faculty advisor for Open House. “Veterinary medicine entails so much more than the care of cats, dogs, horses and cows. What we learn from animal health has a significant impact on public health issues.”

Other activities will include horseshoeing, hatching quail eggs, face painting, a dog dancing demonstration, and question and answer sessions with current veterinary students. Children also may assist while veterinary students repair their favorite stuffed playmates in the Teddy Bear Surgery area.

“Last year we had a record turnout, and we anticipate the same response this year,” said Denise Brinson, vice president of the class of 2010 and co-organizer of the event. “Parents and teachers look forward to this each year, and the kids always have a great time interacting with the animals and the veterinary students.”

In addition, tours of the small and large animal hospitals will be available all day, with scientific exhibits showcasing every kind of animal from dogs to horses to exotics. Students will sell snack and lunch items, refreshments and UGA merchandise.

Admission is free and open to the public. Parking will be available at the softball complex on Milledge Avenue with shuttles running to the college throughout the day. Maps also will be available to ease navigation through the exhibits.

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health. The college enrolls 96 students each fall out of more than 500 who apply. It has more than 130 faculty members.For more information and scheduling updates closer to the event, please visit www.vet.uga.edu/ERC/openhouse.

500 Reasons for Peachtree City Elementary to Celebrate the 100th Day of School

The third grade students at Peachtree City Elementary School celebrate the 100th day of school each school year by collecting items to donate to a local charity. The animals at the Fayette County Humane Society were chosen to receive this year's donations.

98 third graders eagerly accepted over 500 donated items which will be used by the homeless animals in Fayette County.

As a non-kill society, the homeless dogs and cats are fostered out until they are adopted. Typically, the society will have about 500 animals adopted each year.

Brenda Hamrick of the Fayette County Humane Society explained prospective new foster parents will receive a home visit. "You really have to love animals and have the right home for them," Hamrick said. "All of the donations will be used at the foster homes."The Fayette County Humane Society shows animals every Sat at Petsmart in PTC and in Fayetteville. Check http://www.fayettehumane.org/ to learn more about becoming a foster parent or to adopt an animal.

NEWNAN-COWETA HUMANE SOCIETY AND AMERICA'S GIVING CHALLENGE SPONSORED BY PARADE

The Newnan-Coweta Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered February 27, 1975. Our mission and dedication is to prevent euthanasia of homeless animals in animal control facilities and to fight against animal cruelty and abuse.

The Newnan-Coweta Humane Society works very hard to carry out our mission and dedication. We post pictures and videos of the pets at local kill shelters on our two websites (http://www.shelterrescue.org/ and http://www.shelterrescue.petfinder.com/), host a local cable TV show called "Adopt-A-Pet" filmed at Coweta County Animal Control featuring the homeless pets at that shelter, hold fundraisers to help pay for medical costs of rescued pets and hold local adoptions to find our rescued foster pets forever homes.

We also help educate the public to the importance of spaying/neutering pets to help prevent pet over population, how to be a responsible pet owner and safety tips to follow for pet safety by visiting local schools and public announcements.

By having a strong partnership with Bark Busters and our local Bark Busters dog behavioralists, Barry and Jessica Sechler, we have gone a step further in helping homeless pets. Many pets are surrendered to kill shelters because of behavioral problems resulting in frustration and giving up on the pet on the part of the pet owner. Bark Busters is a vital member of our team because we have become better foster parents resulting in well-behaved foster pets who are more easily adopted and when we receive calls or emails from people not wanting to give up on their pets because of behavioral problems, we know who to call!

Despite all that we are doing, many homeless pets still need our help and we are up for the challenge but we need your assistance! We are asking for your help in winning a $50,000 grant to be awarded by Parade.com as part of America's Giving Challenge. The eight groups with the highest number of donors giving at least $10 win a $50,000 grant from Parade.com and the Case Foundation!

Go to http://www.shelterrescue.org/ and click on the big orange "donate" button on our charity badge. (Note: You may need to click more than once). ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS DONATE $10 by clicking on our charity badge to make a HUGE difference in the lives of homeless animals!!!

Please......help us to help them.