During a weekend dedicated to championship-level competition, students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine gained a first-hand perspective on a unique aspect of the livestock industry with a behind-the-scenes pass to the Professional Bull Riding event held recently in Indianapolis. Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis presented by Cooper Tires was held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse March 21-22, even as first- and second-round NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games were held across the country the same weekend.
In both cases, top athletes engaged in intense competition, but in contrast to March Madness on the basketball court, the animals in the PBR event weren’t costumed mascots – they were powerful bulls. The PBR event included both individual competition and a competitive team-based event – the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge.
Four Purdue veterinary students attended the competition through special arrangements that gave them the rare opportunity to get up close to the impressive bovine athletes in the arena and to visit with the veterinarians who ensure the animals’ health and safety. In addition they were able to interact with stock contractors who dedicate their lives to raising and caring for bulls.
Those interactions gave veterinary students Connor Guest, Joe Lafiosca, Avery Hutchings, and Alex Hatch, all from the DVM Class of 2029, a chance to hear directly from the practitioners responsible for attending to any animal health needs in the midst of the competition, while also seeing their interaction with animal handlers. The experience provided the students with insight into the real world application of the knowledge and expertise they are learning in the classroom.
“Being on site for the PBR event allowed us to take our classroom knowledge to the ‘real world’” Guest said. “The two biggest topics we were able to both ask about as well as contribute to during discussions involved interstate movement of the bulls and animal welfare.” Lafiosca added, “Being behind the chutes and talking to coordinators of PBR taught me the intricacies of every step in transporting and loading the bulls.”
Guest also said the opportunity demonstrated how the college supports the students’ professional growth. In addition, he shared, “It also meant a lot that the folks at PBR were so welcoming and down to earth. They were very approachable and took time out of their hectic schedule to answer our questions and make sure we felt welcome. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this possible for us!”
As an added Purdue twist to the event at the fieldhouse, another championship competition underway in St. Louis heightened excitement for Purdue fans. With phones lighting up and cheers erupting between rides, Purdue pride was on display as the Purdue Boilermakers earned hard-fought wins in the West Region of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. The Purdue team’s success added to a memorable weekend for the Purdue veterinary students who gained valuable experience and insight as they prepare for future careers as leaders in veterinary medicine and animal agriculture.
