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Open House Opens Eyes to International Role of Veterinarians

Thousands of visitors to the annual Veterinary Medicine Open House on April 7 got to see more than 40 exhibits and demonstrations, but this year they didn't get to touch a cow, sheep, goat, or pig.
[A future surgeon concentrates on removing foreign objects from a stuffed patient]
A future surgeon concentrates on removing foreign objects—in this case, pieces of candy—from a stuffed animal patient.

In response to concerns about the springtime outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Europe, College faculty worked with student leaders to use Open House as an opportunity to educate the public about FMD and the role veterinarians play in international public and animal health. Two question-and-answer sessions showed a short video about FMD and also presented information about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Visitors were asked whether they had been overseas in the previous 14 days. Those who had were directed to a biosecurity checkpoint where a student assessed whether they might pose a risk to U.S. animals, based on the countries they had visited.

In addition, exhibits that featured hoofed animals were modified or eliminated: the "window cow" and goat-milking exhibits were turned into demonstrations.

In keeping with the international theme, kids were given "passports to veterinary medicine" and challenged to find eight selected exhibits where the passport could be stamped.

Exhibit judging was neck-and-neck this year, with the winners separated by only one point. First place went to the parasitology display, with the equine surgery and anesthesia and the pathology exhibits close behind.

[A student helps an Open House visitor put on a full arm glove]

We thank our sponsors for helping to make Open House a success!
* Central Illinois Veterinary Medical Association
* Eastern Illinois Veterinary Medical Association
* Dr. Susan Ferraro
* Hill's Pet Nutrition
* Hill's Student Feeding Committee
* Kankakee Valley Veterinary Medical Association
* Mississippi Valley Veterinary Medical Association
* Northern Illinois Veterinary Medical Association
* Ralston Purina Co.
* University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
* University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association
* Veterinary Centers of America, Inc.

 
[Listening to a dog's heart at the Cardiology exhibit at Open House] [Cardiology exhibit at Open House]


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