{"id":35426,"date":"2026-09-16T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/?p=35426"},"modified":"2026-09-16T15:53:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T19:53:24","slug":"purdue-veterinary-medicine-fosters-learning-and-engagement-linking-people-animals-and-agriculture-at-indiana-state-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/purdue-veterinary-medicine-fosters-learning-and-engagement-linking-people-animals-and-agriculture-at-indiana-state-fair.php","title":{"rendered":"Purdue Veterinary Medicine Fosters Learning and Engagement linking people, animals and agriculture at Indiana State Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In just more than two weeks\u2019 time during the month of August, the 2026 Indiana State Fair served up an abundance of fun, food, and festivities, and in the midst of it all, faculty, staff and students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine were visible and vibrant participants. Purdue Veterinary Medicine representatives made a difference in a variety of ways, from providing veterinary care for the animals on the fairgrounds, to helping animal agriculture organizations as volunteers, to conducting veterinary checks on animals at the annual 4-H State Fair Dog Show and Cat Show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Veterinary
Dr. Laura May, food animal clinician, teaches veterinary students about using a portable ultrasound machine during their clinical rotation at the State Fair.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2026 proved to be another successful year for the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, which opened Friday August 7 and ran through Sunday, August 23.  Final figures showed that more than 800,460 people attended and had the opportunity to view more than 48,000 exhibits including numerous 4-H and open exhibits, many of which featured animals, both small and large. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Fourth-year veterinary students who participated in the State Fair clinical rotation (left-right) Kat Angeles, Taylor Orefice (Ross University clinical year student), Victoria Shaw, Paige Terry (St. George’s University clinical year student), Lexi Giddons, Hallie Sorg, and Courtney Matty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Looking after the veterinary needs of the livestock and poultry at the fair was a group of fourth-year Purdue veterinary students who were led and instructed by Dr. Bethany Funnell, clinical associate professor of bovine theriogenology, and Dr. Laura May, food animal clinician in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.  The students gained invaluable hands-on experience in food animal medicine while ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals exhibited at the fair. Their presence also offered exhibitors and families the opportunity to see future veterinarians in action, and reflected the College\u2019s commitment to preparing skilled practitioners who understand both animal health and agricultural production. Over the course of the Fair\u2019s two-week run, they treated 30 animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special thanks to the following fourth-year Purdue veterinary students and clinical year students who helped provide this service:<\/p>\n\n\n\n