Athens, Ga. (April 7, 2008) – The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia’s annual Open House was held Friday, April 4, 2008. A parade of dog breeds, rodeo and farrier demonstrations, and veterinary hospital tours were just some of the activities available to young and old alike at the event sponsored by UGA’s veterinary students.

This annual event focused on veterinary medicine as an exciting, rewarding career, and demonstrated 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 included horseshoeing, hatching quail eggs, face painting, a dog dancing demonstration, and question and answer sessions with current veterinary students. Children also assisted while veterinary students repaired their favorite stuffed playmates in the Teddy Bear Surgery area.

“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,” said Denise Brinson, vice president of the class of 2010 and co-organizer of the event.

In addition, tours of the small and large animal hospitals were available all day, with scientific exhibits showcasing every kind of animal from dogs to horses to exotics.

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, please visit www.vet.uga.edu/ERC/openhouse.

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This article was posted on Monday, April 7th, 2008 at 10:30 am and is filed under Event, News, Students.