Colorado State University Annual Veterinary Open House Offers Much for Animal Lovers

All animal lovers and future veterinarians can see the inner workings of one of the nation’s premier veterinary hospitals at Colorado State University’s annual James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital Open House on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5.

The 29th annual event features a packed two-day schedule with past favorites and new offerings including a petting zoo, mock surgery for youngsters, booths and information about animals and what veterinary students learn, and guided tours of the hospital. Also included are lectures and demonstrations about a variety of topics including how to think like a horse, how to become a veterinarian, a police K-9 show and a bird show. Attendees also can meet Cam the Ram, the Colorado State mascot, all day Friday.

The open house is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at the Veterinary Medical Center, 300 W. Drake Road. The medical center and teaching hospital are part of the internationally recognized College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Tours, student exhibits and animal information exhibits, the petting zoo and mock surgery for children to dress as veterinary surgeons and perform operations on stuffed animals will be available during all hours of the open house. The last tour starts each day at 3:15 p.m.

A schedule of lectures and demonstrations over the two-day event follows.

Friday, April 4

– 9 a.m. lecture, "The interesting things I do with sheep," by Dr. Simon Turner, a veterinarian at Colorado State University, who uses sheep to study osteoporosis, menopause and orthopedic illnesses in humans.

– 10 a.m. demonstration, "How to do a proper saddle fitting for your horse," by Dr. Kevin Haussler, Colorado State University veterinarian.

– 11 a.m. lecture, "My next appointment is a what? A day in the life of an exotic animal vet," by Dr. Matt Johnston, Colorado State exotics veterinarian.

– 1 p.m. lecture, "Why does my horse do that? Thinking like a horse," by Dr. Bruce Connally, Colorado State University equine veterinarian.

– 2 p.m. lecture, "So you want to be a veterinarian," by Sherry Stewart, assistant dean for admissions and student affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

– 2 p.m. demonstration, Fort Collins Police K-9 Unit show.

Saturday, April 5

– 9 a.m. lecture, "They don’t deserve to hurt – comprehensive pet pain management," by Dr. Robin Downing, veterinarian in Windsor, Colo.

– 10 a.m. demonstration, bird show by the Northern Colorado Bird Center.

– 11 a.m., "Can you tell me if your animal friend is in pain? Your integrative pain medicine options, including acupuncture and massage," by Dr. Narda Robinson, Colorado State University veterinarian and complementary medicine expert.

– 1 p.m. lecture, "Pet Hospice…A philosophy of caring," by university veterinary students and hospice volunteers Katie Kennedy and Michealle Hobler.

– 2 p.m. demonstration, "How to encourage your dog to behave the way you want him to," by university veterinarian and animal behavior expert Dr. Jennie Willis-Jamtgaard.

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