MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Students at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome thousands of school children to campus on the first weekend in April.

MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine will open its doors from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on April 3 and from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 4 for the 25th annual open house at the Wise Center, located on the south side of campus off Spring Street. “Treating the Sick, Teaching to Save” is the theme for this year’s event.

Kylee Fent, open house chairman and president of MSU’s Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said people of all ages will enjoy the demonstrations and exhibits.

“Older students often take the opportunity to talk to veterinary students and faculty about career paths. They can ask questions about CVM admission procedures, the course work and the field of veterinary medicine in general,” Fent said. “Younger students enjoy seeing a variety of animals and demonstrations. The petting zoo always has some common animals, and the animal show allows veterinary students to show off some of their unique and exotic pets.”

The canine agility demonstration is a learning opportunity for anyone interested in behavior training at home or for competitive purposes.

Fent said the steer with a hole in its side, often called the Holey Cow, is a fun way for students to learn about the digestive tract of ruminants. The poultry science department will have baby chick incubation and hatching displays.

Additional programs scheduled for this year’s open house include the Frisbee Dog Competition and other outdoor events, a show with a wide variety of animals, informative posters, and tours of the animal hospital and classrooms.

Admission is free. For more information, call the CVM Office of Outreach and External Affairs at (662) 325-1103.