Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual Open House will be held Friday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A parade of dog breeds, horseback riding demonstrations, farrier demonstrations and veterinary hospital tours are just some of the activities available to young and old alike.
The event, sponsored by UGA’s veterinary students, 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 tentatively scheduled activities will include horseshoeing, hatching quail eggs, face painting, a dog dancing demonstration and a 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.
“Open House is always a fun event for the school and the community,” said Jessica Murdock, vice president of the class of 2012 and a co-organizer of the event. “It’s a great way for us to showcase the profession that we’re so proud to be a part of.”
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. Veterinary 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. For assistance with sign language interpretation or handicap accessibility, please contact Lari Cowgill at 706/542-2318.
The UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, conducting research related to animal diseases, and providing veterinary services for animals and their owners.Research efforts are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for animals and people, improving the productivity of poultry and livestock and preserving a healthy interface between wildlife and people in the environment they share.The college enrolls 102 students each fall out of more than 550 who apply.
For more information and scheduling updates, see http://www.vet.uga.edu/ERC/openhouse.
