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.