Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews. Oregon State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, in Corvallis, Oregon, held its 27th Annual Pet Day earlier this month. First- and second-year veterinary students of the university create, organize and staff the event every year, in an effort to carry on the college's public service legacy as well as give back to the community. This year, Magruder Hall, the grounds where the College of Veterinary Medicine is located, was lively with four-legged visitors and their two-legged counterparts. Canines and humans of various ages gathered to participate in the festivities. There were 59 nonprofit and commercial booths. Visitors could research veterinarians, find a new kennel, gather information on animal health and wellness and nutrition or even get their dogs' nails trimmed. In less than an hour, the students had trimmed 10 dogs' nails and more were waiting in line. Molly, a Rottweiler-mix, was one. Her owner, Nikki Means, knew Molly did not like pedicures. "She's going to go crazy and make a lot of noise," she warned the students manning the booth, according to Corvallis Gazette-Times. Possibly the most difficult patient that morning, Molly had to be coaxed into getting her nails trimmed. Veterinary students tried several tricks to do so, including using peanut butter to distract her, changing her position and talking to her with a soothing tone of voice. "Sometimes it's challenging, but...it's good practice," Becca Sullivan, a second-year veterinary student, told the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Children practiced being veterinarians, too, at the Teddy Bear Surgery booth. They were given gloves and surgery gowns to wear before choosing a patient. Their patient — anything from a teddy bear to a dragon to a chameleon — needed the young surgeons to remove the foreign object from their wounds. Afterward, students of the veterinary school stitched the wound closed. The stuffed animals were lucky enough to recover in the homes of their child veterinarians. Children also enjoyed a petting zoo, bounce house, pie throwing and face painting. Adults and their leashed pets participated in a pet costume contest, a Fun Run/Walk and Cowpie Bingo. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people and pets attend the event each year. For more information about Oregon State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, click here. Previous: Free Eye Exams Offered for Service Dogs Want more Veterinary Practice News? Go here. <HOME>
