April 9, 2008

'Vet for a Day' theme of 45th annual Purdue Vet School Open House

The theme for the open house is "Vet for a Day."

Children who want to "pass" veterinary classes to become a pretend veterinarian will graduate to another level by answering a question. Those who answer all the questions will have their pictures posted online.

Erin Wendt, a Portage, Ind., veterinary student who is co-chairing the open house with veterinary student Maria Littles of Detroit, said nearly 100 students play a role in making the event a success.

"We are always trying to make it as family friendly an event as possible," she said. "We really want the opportunity to show the public what we do and how veterinarians perform varied tasks."

Wendt said the open house can answer some questions for students interested in veterinary careers.

"There's a lot we can do. If that's what a student is interested in, we've got a lot of neat opportunities for them."

The school’s admissions director, Denise Ottinger, will explain veterinary school entrance requirements during a talk at 1 p.m. Another popular attraction is a closed-circuit telecast of a live surgery that can be viewed on the large screen in the school’s lecture hall.

In collaboration with the Purdue Cancer Center, the School of Veterinary Medicine’s chief of clinical oncology, Dr. Deborah Knapp, will speak on how cancer studies and treatments in veterinary medicine also are making an impact on human medicine. Her talk is at 4 p.m. Information on coping with cancer and cancer prevention methods also will be available. Additionally, the Indiana School of Medicine-Lafayette, which is housed in the veterinary school, will conduct blood pressure checks and reflex tests, and also offer evaluations of cardiovascular endurance and vertical and long jumps.

The cancer research and oncology department will provide speakers to talk about how pets and their owners can cope with cancer. Prevention methods will be presented.

Events will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Vet Olympics for children starting at 12:45 p.m. The 45th annual event is traditionally hosted by third-year veterinary students.

Some returning attractions and demonstrations include:

* An ultrasound performed on a pregnant pig throughout the day.

* A falconer demonstration and lecture at 2 p.m.

* Farrier demonstration by a blacksmith throughout the day.

* Dogs that herd sheep, with demonstrations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

* Exotic animal exhibit featuring reptiles and pockets pets.

* Search and rescue dog demonstrations at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Writer: Dave Kitchell, (765) 496-9711, dkitchell@purdue.edu 

Sources: Kevin Doerr, director of alumni relations and public affairs for veterinary school, (765) 494-8216, doerrkr@purdue.edu.

Erin Wendt, co-chair, (517) 214-9566, ewendt@purdue.edu.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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