More than 140 school children from local districts and surrounding areas visited the MSU Dairy Farm on March 10 and 11. During their visit, they met with Michigan State Students, both pre-vet and veterinary students, to learn all about Dairy Cows, Dairy Medicine, and what it is like to be a student. The SAMY – Science Animals Medicine and You – student volunteers served as tour guides. The tours were a part of the annual Science Festival taking place this week on campus.

The SAMY program first started as the Healthy Pet Surgical Suite at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit in 2007. SAMY is coordinated by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The program was later renamed and reorganized in 2010 calling it “Science, Animals, Medicine and YOU!” Today, SAMY continues to teach the community and inspire future veterinarians about the value of veterinary medicine by exploring the diversities of the profession.

SAMY provides camps, workshops, and other events across Michigan and with program partners. Participants learn through hands-on activities, seminars, and demonstrations that are fun and engaging using models, specimens, x-ray images, and other veterinary tools.

SAMY has four goals:

1. Educate through the One Health initiative

2. Develop diversity and multicultural competencies in the profession

3. Support the community through service

4. Recruit and support tomorrow’s veterinarians

Through service and education, the SAMY program seeks to inspire learners of all ages about the importance of veterinary medicine in a global outlook as it relates not only to the health of animals, but also to the health of people and the environment. SAMY works to promote awareness about veterinary medicine and strengthen diversity by recruiting and engaging today’s students for tomorrow’s veterinary profession.