7 Things Not to Miss at the 2018 CVM Open House

At the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual Open House, you’re never far from something you’ll never forget.

For this year’s event (9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24; rain or shine) the public can get up close with palm-sized chicks and big Percheron horses, see a live surgery and a simulated calf birth — and that’s just the beginning.

Here are just a few of our favorite Open House offerings this year.

Behind-the-scenes tours: Discover the CVM’s extensive specialty services during a walk-through of the state-of-the-art Terry Center. Here, you’ll meet the dedicated veterinary surgeons practicing cardiology, neurology, oncology and more. In the main building’s Firestone Hall of Discovery, learn about canine epilepsy research and the college’s many ongoing clinical trials. Over at the Research Building, meet world-renowned scientists behind groundbreaking research into stem cells, heart disease and infectious disease. Tours are held all day.

Animal encounters:  Wherever you go during Open House, an animal is close. You can check out the impressive Percheron and Morgan horses of the North Carolina Troopers Association Caisson Unit in front of the Terry Center, then go to the hearth to see demonstrations from K9 units, followed by a visit with turtles, snakes and lizards in Room D236. In the large animal breezeway, farm animals await. Then out back, a mare and foal will be on view all day, along with their cow neighbors in our extensive pasture.

Speaking of cows: If you’re checking them out, stick around at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. for automatic milking system demonstrations at the Teaching Animal Unit. You can also go the traditional route and milk a cow yourself in the large animal hospital area, followed up with a taste of Howling Cow milk or ice cream produced by NC State.

Join our family: Know an aspiring veterinarian? An overview of professional career paths is available at the Firestone Hall of Discovery and an admission information session for interested students and families is at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the South Theater. Over in the Blue Commons, there will be information about the DVM admission process and how to be a competitive applicant. The main hallway and Green Commons features members of student organizations focused on travel, diversity and volunteerism.

Future vets: The even younger veterinarians-in-training can draw animals in our library, which is next door to the beyond-cute Teddy Bear Clinic, where we need help stitching up stuffed animal wounds. Then walk over to the Blue Commons to become a walking piece of art as our DVM students offer face painting.

What’s new: Small animal exhibitors coming to the CVM for their first Open House include Spike’s Fund and the Conservators Center, both at the hearth. Also worth checking out: The Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association will sell raffle tickets for the chance to win a one-of-a-kind veterinary experience (outside the large animal breezeway).

Innovative medicine: We save lives every day. See how it happens during live surgical demonstrations, broadcast from the hospital, in the South Theater and also in Room D239 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. In our Simulation Lab, see how vet students master an array of clinical procedures and surgeries (Health and Wellness Center). The SimLab is near AnimalScan, one of the country’s few animal MRI units. Two must-sees: In the North Theater, witness a simulated birth of a calf (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and meet the SimLab horse (10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.).

The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine is at 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh. For a full schedule of Open House events and a campus/parking map, go here.

Download Open House Brochure