Contact: Tania Banak, University Relations Specialist
608/263-6716, banakt@vetmed.wisc.edu
Date issued: February 24, 2009

MADISON - The University of Wisconsin's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital will hold its first open house in over six years on Sunday April 26, 2009 to introduce the public to the many services available through UW Veterinary Care.
The public can peek behind the scenes of the School of Veterinary Medicine's UW Veterinary Care services from noon until 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

The UW Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is located at 2015 Linden Drive in Madison, Wis. Free parking is available in Parking Lot 62 on the UW campus. (For a map, visit http://www.vip.wisc.edu/map.html).

Based on the theme "Big and Small, We Treat Them All," participants will learn how animal patients are treated with the same specialty care provided in human medicine. In addition to guided tours of both the large and small animal hospitals, attendees will have access to interactive hospital experiences including CPR demonstrations, pet teeth brushing, and a live echocardiogram of a dog.

Everyone can enjoy listening to a cow's heart, meeting unusual animals and learning what it takes to get into veterinary medical school. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal for an x-ray of its "heart." Surgeons will also be available to suture or bandage any stuffed animal "injuries."

Open 24/7, the hospital accepts emergencies at all times. The clinic is also open for general and specialty care on an appointment basis. The School of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is a great resource for veterinarians throughout the Midwest to refer cases to the school's specialists.

The UW Veterinary Care Open House is a chance to view the veterinary hospital's facilities and learn more about the variety of specialty and general care services that are offered at the hospital. All are welcome.