PVM Family Fun Days Celebrate 60th Anniversary by Connecting People and All Kinds of Animals

July 26, 2019

A little boy takes a photo of a turtle held by a zoo staff member while a little girl looks on — Children of PVM faculty and staff enjoyed the chance to check out a pancake tortoise during the PVM Family Day at the Indianapolis Zoo.

The 60^th Anniversary of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine means celebration around every corner! Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff, alumni, and their families were invited to visit the Indianapolis Zoo on July 13 during one of two 60^th Anniversary PVM Family Fun Days and more than 160 attended.

A boy held by his dad touches the side of a rhino — Before the zoo opened, some PVM Family Fun Day attendees participated in a behind-the-scenes look at rhinos.

The day included scheduled activities, such as a tour of the Indianapolis Zoo veterinary hospital, which was facilitated by Dr. Tomohito Inoue, Purdue Veterinary Medicine continuing lecturer of anesthesiology. Dr. Inoue works closely with the zoo’s veterinary hospital, sharing his expertise in providing anesthesia for large exotic animals. During the tour, Basic Medical Sciences Department faculty member Kari Ekenstedt, assistant professor of anatomy and genetics, enjoyed seeing an x-ray of a flying fox for the first time! PVM Family Fun Day attendees also had the chance to take behind-the-scenes-tours of the dolphin and rhino exhibits.

Attendees watch trainers work with the dolphins behind the scenes at the zoo — The behind-the-scenes dolphin tour was another highlight of the PVM Family Fun Day at the Indianapolis Zoo.

During lunch, Dean Willie Reed addressed the attendees, and remarked about how great it was to be able to celebrate the College’s 60^th Anniversary together. The lunch was served inside the Zoo’s Dolphin Pavilion, making it possible for families to eat while watching the dolphins swim around in the exhibit. Everyone at the lunch received a PVM 60^th Anniversary commemorative piece, and was entered in a prize drawing. After lunch, zoo staff brought in a pancake tortoise and lizard for the attendees to see and touch.

The event followed an earlier Family Fun Day in June at Fair Oaks Farm. Thank you to all of the faculty and staff volunteers who helped with the PVM Family Fun Days!

Click below to view a gallery of images from the Family Fun Day at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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