New England’s Only Veterinary School Hosting Open House September 22, 2012

NORTH GRAFTON, Mass.--The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University will throw open the doors to its three on-campus hospitals to allow members of the public to get an insider’s look at some of the nation’s busiest—and most advanced—clinics for animals at its annual Open House on Saturday, September 22, 2012, from 11am to 3pm.

In addition to being able to tour through the Tufts Wildlife Clinic, Foster Hospital for Small Animals and Hospital for Large Animals—which provide emergency and specialty care for a combined 30,000 animals each year—families can also enjoy hay rides and working dog demonstrations, participate in mock surgeries and learn about animal health from a number of informational sessions. They can also learn just what it takes to apply to veterinary school, a process that is more competitive than applying to study human medicine.

This year’s Open House features the addition of a hay maze and the return of Ariel, a skateboarding Bernese mountain dog and YouTube sensation. The event is free and open to the public, and families are welcome. However, for the purposes of infection control and pet safety, pets must be left at home.

"Open House offers an opportunity to open our doors and show the public just what a special place the veterinary school is," said Dr. Deborah T. Kochevar, dean of the Cummings School. "It’s perfect for children who dream of being veterinarians, neighbors who want to learn more about what goes on here, and everyone who loves animals."

This year also marks the Cummings School’s third annual Scouting Day, which allows local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to work on requirements for animal-related badges. In addition to having access to many veterinary medical personnel for questions, scouts will learn how to prepare for health profession careers. Additionally, the school will host an open meeting of its Institutional Biosafety Committee from 10 to 11 a.m. More information is available at https://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/display/ScoutingDay/Home and http://www.tufts.edu/vet/pr/20110902.html.

Exhibits at Open House will range from agility and personal protection dogs to rescue and shelter groups from throughout the state, therapy ponies, llamas and alpacas and a birds of prey demonstration by Wingmasters.  Veterinary students will also have displays showcasing their various on-campus organizations and will offer face painting and other activities for children and adults.

Kids of all ages are welcome to bring their beloved but bedraggled stuffed animals to be stitched or bandaged at the Teddy Bear Clinic, run by the Hospital’s veterinary technicians. Children are also welcome to participate in the "You Be the Vet" exercises, in which they will don surgical gowns, participate in mock surgeries and learn the importance of spay and neuter procedures at the Luke and Lily Lerner Spay/Neuter Clinic. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for the photo-ready experience.

The event is again generously sponsored by Grafton Suburban Credit Union.

Handicapped parking is available on-campus with free parking for everyone. For the protection of sick animals in our hospitals, and for everyone’s safety, personal pets will not be allowed on campus for Open House. For more information, call 508-839-5395 or visit the Open House link on Tufts’ web site, vet.tufts.edu/open_house.

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About the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

Founded in 1978 in North Grafton, Mass., Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is internationally esteemed for academic programs that impact society and the practice of veterinary medicine; three hospitals and two clinics that combined log more than 80,000 animal cases each year; and groundbreaking research that benefits animal, public, and environmental health.