A dinosaur that fell from a 10-million-foot cliff and a giraffe that was hit by an asteroid were among the 300 stuffed animal patients treated by veterinary students at the 2014 Vet-a-Visit event at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Stuffed animal surgery was just one of dozens of exhibits, demonstrations, and seminars at Vet-a-Visit. The annual open house showcases the College and provides information about the veterinary profession and careers in veterinary medicine. The public also has an opportunity for behind-the-scenes tours of the Veterinary Hospital.

Made possible by months of planning by volunteer veterinary students, the event also celebrates the human-animal bond and offers up a fun day for visitors from around the state.

"Vet-a-visit is an excellent reminder to me of just how unique our profession is," says Alysha Vincent, Class of 2016, and member of the event steering committee. "Seeing all of my classmates in their element—teaching the public about their own niche within veterinary medicine makes me proud to be a part of this school and the veterinary community as a whole."

Volunteers began welcoming visitors at 9:00 a.m., and helped the thousands of attendees navigate their way through the exhibits that included a milking parlor, an aquatics tunnel, and demonstrations of how ruminants are nature's recyclers. Visitors saw a painted horse, the inside of the Hospital's radiology section, and the equine treadmill.

"I knew Vet-A-Visit was a success every time I saw the face of a child light up at the sight of their favorite animal," says Christina Fenske, Class of 2017 and steering committee member. "And it was remarkable to witness the excitement of a young adult interested in veterinary medicine learning something new."

Career presentations were held for students interested in veterinary medicine. They find out that a degree in veterinary medicine does not only lead to becoming a veterinarian, but that career possibilities include public health, food safety, research, and teaching.

"Veterinary medicine is much more than what meets the eye," Vincent says. "Vet-a-visit is one of the rare opportunities we have to share with the public all of the things veterinarians do every day to contribute to human and animal health and welfare."

To learn more about the annual open house or to sign up for notice when the 2015 Vet-a-Visit approaches, visit cvm.msu.edu/vav.

April 9, 2014