Veterinary College To Present Annual Open House

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 24, 2003 – Where can you take a guided tour of a modern veterinary teaching hospital, see how working dogs help protect our nation from agri-terrorism and watch an equine acupuncture demonstration at the same time and place?

At the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine's annual "Open House" at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. These are just some of the many different glimpses of modern veterinary medicine that will be available for the public to enjoy when the college that serves the people of Virginia and Maryland opens its doors for visitors on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

At 10:00 a.m., veterinary students will begin conducting guided tours of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and other college facilities. Tours last approximately 60 minutes and will depart at thirty-minute intervals throughout the day.

Children are invited to bring their stuffed animals to a "Teddy Bear Repair Clinic" and the St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation will present a special demonstration on how dogs are trained to help the physically-challenged.

A variety of presentations concerning the academic program, contemporary clinical approaches in veterinary medicine, and related clubs and organizations will be featured. Demonstrations and informational sessions on radiology, endoscopy, ultrasound, necropsy, equine thermography, and electron microscopy will also be presented.

The open house will also feature presentations on preparing a competitive application for veterinary school at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and members of the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service "Beagle Brigade" will show how working dogs are helping maintain national biosecurity. A video profile of the college will be presented throughout the day.

The annual Omega Tau Sigma Service Dog of the Year Award will be presented at 2 p.m.

Based at the land-grant universities of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the University of Maryland College Park, the regional professional school operates campuses in Blacksburg, Leesburg, and College Park, Md.

For more information about the VMRCVM's Open House, email Angela Brogan at anbrogan@vt.edu or contact 540-231-7666.