Newsroom

CORVALLIS - The grand opening and tours of a new $14 million small animal teaching hospital, and associated teaching and research facilities, will highlight the 18th annual Pet Day and Open House on Saturday, April 30, at Oregon State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

The usual assortment of games, pet demonstrations, a 5-K fun run, "ask a vet" program, wagon rides, pony rides, Frisbee contest, dog wash, petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, cat photo contest, food booths, teddy bear surgery and many other events will be held at Pet Day.

The event, which is held rain or shine, is at Magruder Hall on the OSU campus, at Washington Way and 30th Street. It is free, with small fees charged for some activities, and family pets are welcome, on a leash. The "fun run" begins at 8:15 a.m., and most other activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More details can be found on the web at http://www.vet.orst.edu

The family-oriented program, which usually attracts thousands of visitors from the Willamette Valley, has always been designed to help the public learn about the newest trends in veterinary care, animal nutrition and veterinary services, as well as meet Oregon's future veterinarians. Kids can pet a pygmy goat, see rabbits with babies, get their faces painted or play in the Bounce House.

This year, however, the university will add to the Pet Day festivities the grand opening of its Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital Small Animal Clinic - a centerpiece of the largest expansion in the college's history, which has taken place in the past two years.

"Pet Day activities are always fun for the whole family, and give us an opportunity to celebrate the human-animal bond," said Dr. Howard Gelberg, dean of the college. "But this year, through the vision of the Oregon legislature, we also have the opportunity to show the public our new small animal clinic."

This facility, built with a mix of public money and private donations, is allowing the College of Veterinary Medicine to bring to the OSU campus a complete and greatly expanded program of veterinary instruction, including work with small and companion animals. The new facility and other expansion efforts are allowing a 33 percent increase in the number of veterinary students the college can enroll, is bringing in new experts in virology, bacteriology, immunology and other fields, and reflects broad changes taking place in the college services.

A number of university officials, political supporters, and other dignitaries will participate in the grand opening celebration that begins at 10 a.m., including OSU President Ed Ray.