Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will host the Indiana Fair Vet Camp from August 7 to 22. The goal of the camp is for participants to experience hands-on skills while learning about the career opportunities in veterinary medicine. There will be two camp sections: Junior Vet Camp, for students in sixth through eighth grades, and Senior Vet Camp, for students in grades nine through 12. The camps are led by current veterinary students that have worked with Jim Weisman, director of student services for the veterinary college. Collectively, they develop the curriculum. “We discuss all the career options available for veterinarians in both camps,” he said. “We really stress seeking a science career and that veterinary medicine offers great opportunities to do anything from clinical private practice to pharmaceutical development, food safety, biosecurity and teaching.” Junior Vet Campers will explore blood and other items under a microscope and be able to practice surgery skills by suturing up simulated incisions. The hands-on sessions will also offer opportunities to look at radiographs. Senior Vet Campers will learn and practice their suturing skills, develop physical exam technique and learn how radiographs are made as well as observe a live animal spay or castration surgery on a dog. The vet college noted that it will continue its tradition of conducting live spay/neuter demonstrations on 13 of the state fair’s 17 days. The patients are animal shelter pets that need the surgeries as part of the process of being adopted into new homes.
