Veterinary Students To Host 25th Open House On March 24
Children of all ages will have the opportunity to engage in some of the experiences shared by students in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) during the 25th annual Vet School Open House on March 24.
Coordinated by hundreds of veterinary students and undergraduates, the event opens the doors to the Veterinary & Biomedical Education Center (VBEC), the Large Animal Hospital, and the Small Animal Hospital for a day of fun-filled activities, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The Vet School Open House is always a highlight of the year for both the veterinary student organizers and the thousands of families that attend,” said Taylor Owens, open house publicity co-executive. “From the moment we open the doors, laughter, joy, and astonishment ring from the rafters as children partake in the multitude of exhibits and demonstrations and interact with the animals.
Attendees have the opportunity to tour the Small and Large Animal Hospitals, explore many different exhibits from rescues and other organizations, and watch talent demonstrations by animal groups.
Other popular activities include a teddy bear “surgery,” where children can learn about suturing; the dog kissing booth; the petting zoo; and the Exotics Room, which features dozens of reptiles. Food trucks will also be on-site.
In addition, Texas A&M students coordinate with area schools to create exhibitions of student artwork by children from elementary and middle schools across the country.
“We spend a lot of the year preparing for this event to ensure that guests of all ages have a great time participating in the wide variety of activities, while also learning about how to get into veterinary school, some of the things we learn while in school, and the career possibilities available for veterinarians,” said Brianna Boyle, open house publicity co-executive.
All activities are free to the public, and families with children of all ages are welcome. While registration is not required, those interested in touring the Small Animal Hospital are encouraged to pre-register by emailing openhouseSAHtours@gmail.com with a name, the number of adults/children in the group, and what time the group would like to tour.
Although the event began over two decades ago, the heart behind the open house remains the same.
Vet School Open House started in 1993 as a small showcase of the college’s facilities with a petting zoo.
The event is much larger now, but it still gives the public a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the country’s premiere veterinary schools, all while learning about all the opportunities and best practices in the field of veterinary medicine.
For more information about the event, including frequently asked questions, and updates, visit vetmed.tamu.edu/openhouse, or follow the event on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more updates and announcements.
