Sunny Skies and Creative Exhibits Draw Hundreds to Annual PVM Open House

Llamas were a hit at the popular Petting Zoo – a PVM Open House mainstay.

Sunrise on Saturday, April 12, brought the promise of a lovely spring day and large crowds for a beloved spring tradition at Lynn Hall on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus – the annual Purdue Veterinary Medicine Open House. Organized by PVM students, the day-long event is held each year as part of Purdue University’s Spring Fest celebration.

Though brisk in the morning, the weather conditions proved perfect for the combination of indoor and outdoor displays and activities designed for people of all ages who wanted to learn about animal health and the profession of Veterinary Medicine while interacting with animals and engaging in fun activities and demonstrations.

Would-be surgeons gowned up with help from third-year veterinary students at the Teddy Bear suturing room.

Held in and around Lynn Hall, the free, family-friendly event included traditional, ever-popular attractions such as the beloved petting zoo featuring a variety of animals, including llamas and goats, and the Teddy Bear suturing room, where children could dress like a surgeon and learn the ins and outs of surgery from third-year veterinary students. Outside, visitors could check out the painted horse, that had the skeleton painted on one side and vital organs painted on the other side.

A young attendee tries her hand at suturing technique under the watchful eye of third-year veterinary student Brenna White.

Veterinary nursing student Kylee Reinhardt displays a skull for a young, enthusiastic open house visitor. — A young attendee tries her hand at suturing technique under the watchful eye of third-year veterinary student Brenna White.

Since having fun while learning about veterinary medicine can work up quite the appetite, the Equine Club and Food Animal Club teamed up to offer the perfect solution at the food tent in the parking lot across Harrison Street from Lynn Hall, where students served-up hamburgers, pork burgers, hot dogs, sides and drinks.

Equine and Food Animal Club members cooked-up hamburgers and hot dogs for hungry Open House attendees.

Other popular attractions included the canine educators who were on hand to offer opportunities for visitors to experience the benefits of human-animal interaction; the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory display that featured a variety of educational exhibits, including a game in which children could match paw prints with the animals that make them; and the Veterinary Nursing room complete with face painting, radiographs and a cat skeleton. Visitors also were able to take tours of the Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital complex.

Another favorite Open House tradition involved the opportunity to view award-winning 4-H Veterinary Science projects from around the state that were on display in the Continuum Café, where PVM faculty members took time to view the posters and visit with the 4-H members who were on hand to share their prize-winning entries.

Dean Bret Marsh visited with Purdue freshman Parker Wicker of Rush County, who shared his winning 4-H veterinary science poster about Johne’s disease.

As families and children arrived at the Open House, which began at 10:00 a.m. and continued until 3:00 p.m., they were able to pick up Graduation Day cards that were available at the Welcome Table. Then as they made the rounds, checking out all the Open House activities and exhibits, they were able to collect stamps and then redeem their completed cards for a diploma to hold for a photo op at the graduation photo booth.

Open House visitors who turned-in a completed “Graduation Card” were able have their photo taken at the special Graduation Day photo booth. — Open House visitors who turned-in a completed “Graduation Card” were able to have their photo taken at the special Graduation Day photo booth.

A special thank you to all of the students who worked tirelessly to plan and host the Open House, led by Open House Co-Chairs Emma Zaicow and Caitlin Wager of the DVM Class of 2027, and Co-Chair Elects Annalyssa Crain and Amanda Mills of the DVM Class of 2028, and Regina Carmona of the Veterinary Nursing Class of 2028.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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