For Immediate Release
May 24, 2011
Contact: Amy Morris
517-485-6600
Animal Medicine on display at Michigan fairs
MVMA and MSU CVM collaborate to highlight the work of veterinarians
Okemos, Mich. – Those interested in veterinary medicine will have the opportunity to experience it in person with
a joint effort of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and Michigan State University's College of Veterinary
Medicine, Science, Animals, Medicine and You (SAMY). The exhibit is an extraordinary public education effort that
will tour county fairs this summer and will be featured at the Marion County Fair June 22-24, 2011.
The display, which was renamed and reorganized for 2010, debuted as the Healthy Pet Surgical Suite at the
Michigan State Fair in Detroit in 2007. It includes a mock-up of an animal surgery room and all of the tools
necessary to conduct an animal surgery including scrubs, radiology equipment, microscope slides, videos and
presentations for all ages. In addition to informing people about careers in veterinary medicine, one of the goals of
the display is to educate citizens on the importance of spaying and neutering pets.
"We are looking forward to continuing our efforts to inform people about what exactly veterinarians do and the
Science, Animals, Medicine and You display is an important part of this process. We want to engage the people in
these communities," said Dr. Paula Rode, DVM, and past MVMA President.
The MVMA receives help from student coordinators from MSU CVM. These coordinators will present educational
programs throughout the day. They will also blog about the highlights of their travels. Some of the planned
programs include:

Careers in Veterinary Medicine – Presentation of the often unseen breadth and depth of the veterinary
medical profession, with discussion of the members of the veterinary healthcare team and roads to
education as a licensed veterinary professional. Time will be available for questions about veterinary
school admissions and life as a veterinary student.

“You’re the Vet” Case Presentations – Guided veterinary medical case work-ups in small, large, and exotic
animal medicine (from cases at the MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital), with audience participation.

Tools of Veterinary Medicine – Displays of common tools used in the profession, including small animal
supplies, equine and food animal tools, radiographs of interesting cases, microscopes with blood smears
and parasite eggs, and a touch-screen kiosk with veterinary trivia.

“Future Veterinarians” – There will be multiple presentations geared for an elementary school audience
including topics such as pet care, how a veterinarian is like a human doctor, what happens to a pet at the
veterinary clinic and giving young people a chance to show off their skills as animal doctors by helping the
students.
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Science, Animals, Medicine and You! to tour Michigan Fairs
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The display has been mobile since 2007 and will be visiting the Marion County Fair from June 22-24, 2011.
2011 Schedule
Marion Fair
Montcalm County Fair
Eaton County Fair
Ionia County Fair
Lenawee County Fair
Ingham County Fair
Monroe County Fair
Kalamazoo County Fair
Jackson County Fair
Midland County Fair
June 22-24, 2011
July 6-8, 2011
July 11-14, 2011
July 21-23, 2011
July 27-30, 2011
August 1-3, 2011
August 4-5, 2011
August 9-10, 2011
August 11-12, 2011
August 15-16, 2011
For more information on the Science, Animals, Medicine and You display visit
www.scienceanimalsmedicineandyou.com or www.michvma.org.
The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, founded in 1883, is comprised of more than 2,150 veterinarians. It
provides continuing education for veterinarians and related professionals, monitors state legislation and
regulations, and promotes veterinary medicine through a multifaceted public education program. Each year the
association provides more than 200 hours of educational programs for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and
support staff.
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