This past weekend was one of the highlight weekends for the
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. On Saturday,
April 14, we opened our doors to the public, that they may get a
small glimpse into the world of veterinary medicine and all of its
wonder. We had children surgically repairing their beloved
"pets" in teddy bear surgery, teenagers learning what the inside of
a cow's stomach (the rumen) feels like, and many other
opportunities to learn about different aspects of veterinary
medicine and biomedical science. There were also
opportunities for people to learn about Alpaca wool weaving, canine
agility, falconry, animal breeds, and of course there were
opportunities to take pictures with the famous Ms. Reveille.
Open House is always a time for us vet students to really shine. We
plan for it all year, and on that day we get the chance to show the
public what we do. For one day we can instill in the general
population the passion that we have for veterinary medicine.
It is a long road, and a hard day for the students who put in many
long hours, but every single one of them will tell you it is one of
the most rewarding things in the world because you see right in
front of you the wonder of a kid who is amazed at what you
know. There is nothing quite like having that little surgeon
help you clean up a wound of an injured teddy bear. Their amazement
and gratitude as you suture him closed and save him is astounding,
and always a highlight, for both the child and the vet
student. It is very rewarding as a student to overhear people
talking as they visit different aspects of Open House, and they
discuss the highlights of their day. As students we often are
so focused on ourselves and our education, that we forget that we
can make a difference to people. We are role models and leaders of
the community. It is sometimes hard to remember that we have
such a huge impact on those around us, and every year I am grateful
for this little reminder, a small push to be a better example, and
a leader that this school can be proud of.