Purdue to host Vet Camp at Indiana State Fair

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will again host surgery demonstrations and the Indiana State Fair Vet Camp on Aug. 5-20 at the Indiana State Fair.

The demonstrations and Vet Camp will be held in a tent that also will house exhibits and interactive displays on the north side of the fairgrounds, adjacent to one of the main State Fair entrances. Faculty and staff also will give lectures and present demonstrations about several topics, and veterinary student ambassadors for the college will help facilitate the activities.

The surgery demonstrations are done in cooperation with the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.

There will be two camp sections. Junior Vet Camp, for students in sixth through eighth grades, will be 9 a.m. until noon Aug. 5-7, 13-14 and 20, and 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 9 and Aug. 18. Senior Vet Camp, for students in grades nine through 12, is 1-4 p.m. Aug. 5-7, 13-14 and 20, and 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 11 and Aug. 16.

Junior Vet Camp participants will learn about CPR in dogs, how to use a stethoscope and listen to heart sounds. The hands-on sessions also will offer opportunities to look at a radiograph (X-ray) to determine what is inside patients and look at fluid from cow rumen under the microscope.

Senior Vet Campers will learn and practice their suturing skills, develop physical exam technique and learn how radiographs are made, as well as observe a live animal spay or castration surgery on a dog. Participants also will have the opportunity to draw blood and place IV catheters on simulated patient legs.

Each camp costs $25 and requires preregistration. To register, visit https://enter.indianastatefair.com. Registration will close Friday (July 29). For more information, email thebarns@indianastatefair.com.

The College of Veterinary Medicine also helps behind the scenes. For the third consecutive year, college faculty and veterinary students will provide veterinary care for all the fair’s exhibition animals.

Also, Jim Weisman, clinical associate professor at the college, is the first veterinarian to serve as a member of the State Fair Board, and is this year's fair vice president.

"The Indiana State Fair is a great location where we can showcase the important role that veterinary medical professions play in the lives of Indiana citizens every day," Weisman said. "We are honored to partner with the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association to provide the live surgery demonstrations, and look forward to providing wonderful hands-on learning experiences for young people through the Indiana State Fair Vet Camps."

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources:  Jim Weisman, 765-494-0278, jweisman@purdue.edu

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