College of Veterinary Medicine annual open house set for April 8

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will host its annual open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 8 in Lynn Hall.

The open house is held every year in conjunction with Spring Fest. The event helps educate the public on various aspects of veterinary medicine in hopes of achieving the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine’s mission, which involves advancing "global animal and human health and well-being through excellence in learning, discovery and engagement," said Elexa Baron, open house co-chair.

The theme this year is "The Key to a Healthy Pet is as Easy as Pie." Several familiar events return to the open house, including the Teddy Bear Suture Clinic, where kids dress up like surgeons and heal "injured" teddy bears. Other events include:

* Equine Treadmill – People will get to see a horse on a treadmill, a test that is used to diagnose lameness, respiratory and cardiovascular issues in horses.

* Walk Through the Heart – First-year veterinary students will take people on a journey through the heart and talk about the importance of parasite preventatives, specifically heart worm disease.

* Walk Through the GI Tract – Second-year veterinary students will take people on a journey through the GI tract of a horse. They will talk about aspects of horse nutrition and common parasites that can affect this part of the body.

* Dunk a Tech - People will learn about the important role that veterinary technicians play in veterinary medicine. There also will be a dunk tank outside.

Other attractions include, a petting zoo, farrier, painted horse, Buttercup the fistulated cow, and horsehoe painting. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Small Animal Community Practice will share the importance of preventative medicine and the role it plays in maintaining a healthy pet. Purdue's blood donor dogs also will be there to show the important role greyhounds play in life-saving blood donation.

The Columbian Park Zoo will be present with a mini zoo, the Indianapolis Zoo will talk about radiographs and the Midwest Search Dogs also will be at the event.

For more information and a detailed list of times and events click here.

The College of Veterinary Medicine also will hold its annual White Coat Ceremony from 1-3 p.m. April 9 in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall, with a reception to follow in rooms 302/306. The White Coat Ceremony marks the passage of third year-veterinary students from the classroom to the clinics.

Dr. Arnold Gold at Columbia University's Medical School established the White Coat Ceremony in 1993. The ceremony was designed to impress upon students, physicians and the public the important symbolic role of the white coat in patient-doctor interactions. Today, this ceremony continues in medical schools and has become a tradition in veterinary schools throughout the country. 

Writer: Megan Huckaby, 765-496-1325, mhuckaby@purdue.edu 

Sources: Kevin Doerr, director of public affairs and communications, College of Veterinary Medicine, doerrkr@purdue.edu

Elexa Baron, Open House Co-Chair, baron3@purdue.edu