Unleashed: LSU Vet School preps for annual Open House

Last year, an estimated 8,000 visitors attended LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s (SVM) Open House. The event had steadily grown over the past 30 years; but, in 2014, attendance surged—up 3,000 people from the previous year. In anticipation of a record-setting crowd, the staff has reconfigured this year’s route for better traffic flow.

Animal attraction is enough to draw visitors from the Arkansas Ozarks to the Florida Panhandle. That’s not surprising. Baton Rouge is one of only 28 communities in the United States are lucky enough to have accredited veterinary schools. Once a year, SVM invites the community to meet its experts and explore the latest developments in animal health care, rescue, therapy, welfare and research. This year’s event takes place Saturday, January 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Get more information.

The self-guided tour includes a glimpse into the gross anatomy lab, equine treadmill, canine underwater therapy, cancer treatment center, intensive care units, surgery and radiology suites. Throughout the corridors, rescue representatives, students and faculty explain the animal-related issues, services and resources available to local pet owners.

Other than being fun, educational and free, Open House exposes animal lovers to the work of 80 exhibitors, a tremendous variety of domestic and exotic species, breeds and live animals they are unlikely to see elsewhere—such as Willie the fistulated cow, who has a portal in his side so visitors can observe digestion. Children may also bring their own injured stuffed animals to be “sutured” by vet students at the Teddy Bear Clinic.

Besides its animal encounters with rescued rabbits, a petting zoo full of barnyard animals, rehabilitated raptors and creatures great and small, the event offers special presentations including the parades of dog and horse breeds.

In addition to featuring its own students and staff, the Open House includes demonstrations, booths and adoptable animals from Louisiana Capital City Obedience Club, the Baton Rouge Kennel Club, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, Working Animal Guide Society of Louisiana, Spay Baton Rouge among others.

The SVM Open House features many displays about the importance of adopting a family pet from a rescue or shelter. Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue will bring adoptable rabbits and bunnies to the event such as:

Creature Feature

Clara and Beauregard are a bonded pair of sister/brother rabbits. While there is sibling rivalry on occasion, they nuzzle together, sleep together and groom each other. So, they must be adopted together. This mixed short-coat pair is curious but sometimes wary of new things or loud noises. They sometimes come running up to greet their foster, but it takes a while before they are ready to sit still and snuggle. While they do not like being picked up, they both love to have their head rubbed. Clara and Beauregard are also tolerant of dogs.

Irma (all white) and Otto (with gray markings) are a bonded pair and need a home that has space for both. A new owner will never have to feel guilty about leaving them alone for long periods hey because they are happy to enjoy each other’s company. They like playing with toys, from tossing toys to chew toys like willow. And, while they don’t enjoy being petted, they are a fun pair to watch. Otto is estimated to be about 5 years old; Irma might be slightly younger.

Skipper and Josephine are 4-year-old littermates. These dwarf mixes really like each other and must be adopted together. Skipper is cuddly and loves to explore. Josephine is bit more apprehensive about being handled. But, she does let you know when she wants treats or to be petted. When the two of them race around the house, all you can see are brown blurs. These rabbits have been around small gentle dogs in their foster home and tolerate canines well.

Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue has many more bunnies and rabbits (and, sometimes, guinea pigs and mice) available for adoption. Each rabbit who enters the program is spayed/neutered and receives appropriate medical care. For more information, click here or call 341-BUNNY.