Vet school open house draws record number of visitors

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine opened its doors to more than 15,000 visitors at the open house Saturday.

The College of Veterinary Medicine allowed students of all ages — from the young in age to the young-at-heart — to take tours through the vet school and see the medical techniques, diagnostic cases and animal species.

"The main goal of open house is to open up pretty much everything we can throughout the [Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine] complex, as well as the large and small animal hospitals, and let the public come behind the scenes and see what veterinary medicine is all about, as well as everything that goes along with veterinary medicine," said Kristen Turner, first-year vet student and 2010 Open House publicity co-chairwoman.

Open house director Dayna Cox said the event is an optimal chance for vet students to show the community and the state a taste of what being a veterinarian entails.

"We opened up as much of the vet school and animal hospital as we could to give people a behind-the-scenes look," said Cox, a second-year vet student. "It's a great opportunity for vet students to reach out to the community and promote animal health. There are 29 vet schools in the nation, ours being the only vet school in Texas, so it's a great opportunity for us."

The estimated count of 15,000 visitors set a record for the annual open house, whose 2009 event drew about 9,000 visitors.

"We had a great showing," Cox said. "The weather was beautiful. We had some great exhibits and presentations throughout the day that people really seemed to enjoy."

Guests were invited to take tours of the small and large animal clinics and listen to various talks by professors of the College of Veterinary Medicine and other exhibitions.

Visitors were given an opportunity for hands-on activities, allowing them to get a feel for the veterinary profession. At the fistulated cow exhibit, visitors could feel inside the rumen and stomach compartments of a cow. A petting zoo allowed for close encounters with animals, and Reveille was on hand for pictures.

Another yearly favorite of guests is Teddy Bear Surgery, where children are invited to participate with second- and third-year vet students in a "surgery" on their favorite stuffed animal.

"Children can bring their stuffed animals, tell us what's wrong with it, and we'll fix it," Turner said. "They actually get to dress up like surgeons. That's a big favorite with the kids that come."

New events for the open house included demonstrations for sheep herding, a farrier making horseshoes and the expansion of the exotic room to include venomous snakes.

The event is organized by Texas A&M veterinary students professors and undergraduate students.

"It was a huge undertaking and a lot of people were involved," Turner said.

Becky Brozek, who is interested in a career as a veterinarian, participated Saturday as an undergraduate volunteer.

"I was working as a tour guide in the small animal clinic," Brozek said. "There were a lot of children there who were interested in veterinary medicine, and this gave them the chance to really look at it and decide if this is something they want to do."

Vet students look forward to next year.

"We really appreciate everyone who came and everyone who helped. It was a terrific success for everyone who came," Cox said. "We're already looking at setting the date for next year."