‘veterinary Medicine for the Millennium’ is Theme for 21st Annual Veterinary Teaching Hospital Open House April 7-9

If you’ve ever wondered what it must be like to be a doctor to stingrays, eels, otters, tigers and hedgehogs, then you won’t want to miss Dr. Terry Campbell’s lecture. Campbell, director of the Zoological Medicine Service at Colorado State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital and chief veterinarian at Denver’s Ocean Journey, is just one of the presenters at the 21st Annual Veterinary Teaching Hospital Open House running April 7-9.

In addition to lectures and presentations by faculty, staff and professionals at the hospital, the open house will offer a variety of interactive exhibits, tours and the ever-popular petting zoo.

Open house hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 7 and 8 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 9. All events are free and open to the public.

Kids will be able to experience "mock surgery" by "gowning up" and preparing to do surgery on stuffed animals, while professionals and students get to show how much they know in the "Stump-A-Vet" booth. The Fort Collins Police Department’s K-9 Unit will give a demonstration and a lecture on canine training. One of the Budweiser Clydesdales will be on hand for a presentation about care, nutrition and training of these beautiful horses. Numerous booths will provide interested individuals with information about volunteer opportunities, community programs, veterinary education and other animal-related topics.

Tours of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 300 W. Drake Road, will run continuously each day, in addition to an abbreviated hospital tour for children on April 7. Tours of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program will be offered from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. Sunday. The raptor program, located behind the hospital, is dedicated to providing medical care, rehabilitation and release to injured birds of prey.

For more information, call the Dean’s Office at (970) 491-7053. A schedule of lectures by veterinary medicine faculty and other experts follows.

Friday, April 7

  • 10:30 a.m. "Gerbils, Iguanas and Chinchillas" by Dr. Priscilla Dressen. Explores the world of exotic animals for children of all ages.
  • 1:30 p.m. "911-Quick ! Call the Vet!" by Dr. Tim Hackett. Offers a peek into the pulse-pounding world of emergency veterinary medicine and what you can do before you get to the ER.
  • 3 p.m. "So, You Want to be a Veterinarian?" by Dr. Sherry McConnell. Highlights what you can do to prepare for a career in veterinary medicine.

Saturday, April 8

  • 10:30 a.m. "Colorado’s Ocean Journey" by Dr. Terry Campbell and Pete Davey. Offers a behind-the-scenes look at what’s involved in the training and health of 15,000 exotic animals. Noon "Those Riveting Raptors" by Judy Scherpelz of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center. Discussions on the keys to conservation with "Live Birds of Prey on Display."
  • 1:30 p.m. "Smile With Those Pearly Whites" by Dr. Pat McCue. Explains what equine dentistry is all about.
  • 3 p.m. "Thinking Like an Animal" by Dr. Temple Grandin. Pointers on how to adapt your training methods to suit the needs of the animal.

Sunday, April 9

  • Noon "Them Bones…Them Bones," by Dr. Randy Fitch. Explains the nuts and bolts of orthopaedic medicine.
  • 1:30 p.m. "The Growing World of Acupuncture" by Dr. Jamie Gaynor. Explains what alternative therapy means and what is available in veterinary medicine.
  • 3 p.m. "Cancer Basics" by Dr. Sue Lana of the Animal Cancer Center at CSU. Discussion on symptoms, diagnosis and new treatments available for cancer in pets.