The James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital welcomes our community to the 39^th annual Open House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21.

Organized by students in Colorado State University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, the free Open House features hospital tours, educational talks and demonstrations, kids’ activities, a petting zoo – as well as food trucks, and visits with CAM the Ram.

New this year

Teddy Bear Clinic: children can bring a stuffed animal in for “surgery.” Students in the surgery club will will actually cut and stitch a heart into stuffed animals, so parents might want to bring an old stuffed animal or a new one just for this purpose. There will be bandaging and other options for kids who don’t want Mr. Snuggles to have an incision.

Walk with a Doc and a Dog: Take a stroll with our veterinary cancer specialists Dr. Doug Thamm and Dr. Kristen Weishaar. The group will meet at 9 a.m. at the main (west-facing) entrance of the Diagnostic Medical Center, just north of the hospital. Dogs are welcome on the walk, but are not allowed into the Open House activities, for their own safety and that of others. Learn more about this monthly activity on the CSU Walk with a Doc and a Dog Facebook page.

Activities

• A petting zoo and activities for kids will run throughout the day.
• CAM the Ram will visit from noon to 2 p.m.
• Hospital tours will run from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., beginning every 15 minutes from the tour start inside the Diagnostic Medicine Center.
• Animal anatomy lessons, animal-related crafts, and presentations by veterinary student groups.
• Food trucks will operate from mid-morning until mid-afternoon.

About the hospital and the DVM program

Students in the CSU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program learn veterinary clinical skills at the hospital, where 79 faculty veterinarians provide medical care for pets, horses and livestock. These animal doctors represent 28 boarded specialties that match specialties in human medicine, such as cardiology, neurology, oncology and orthopaedics. An additional 650 caregivers – including veterinary nurses, students, staff and volunteers – contribute to patient care.

Each year, the hospital manages more than 42,000 patient visits, with animal owners from surrounding areas and across the country. The hospital is open to the public, and many of its patients are referred for specialty care by other veterinarians around the world.

Through 2020, the hospital is undergoing more than $20 million in renovations, funded entirely through philanthropy, to ensure state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research and clinical service. Most recently, the lobby and waiting area received a makeover. Visitors will see these upgrades and will learn about exciting plans for the future. Want to help? Here’s how!