Scheduled this year for Saturday, April 13, 2002 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the 36th annual Open House at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine is a showcase for animals of all kinds and the medical professionals who care for them.

"This event is a great opportunity for us as students to share our school with the community," says Lauren Schnabel, co-chair of the open house and a member of the Cornell doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) Class of 2004. "Veterinary students and members of the faculty and staff host this event to give a closer look at veterinary medicine and its significance in our lives."

"Open House is meant to increase public awareness as well as to encourage younger students to enter the veterinary field," says Terri Ollivett, an open house co-chair and member of the DVM Class of '04. Visitors with questions about veterinary careers -- as veterinarians, veterinary technicians and animal-care specialists -- will find answers at the Open House, but they may be surprised, Ollivett says.

"Careers in veterinary medicine traditionally have involved working with dogs, cats, cows, horses, sheep and pigs," according to the second-year student. "However, this rapidly growing field also provides opportunities to work with many other animal species in zoos and wildlife refuges and in developing countries." Veterinarians also work in the animal-health and pharmaceutical industries, the government and public-health sector and in the armed forces, Ollivett adds.

Among the most popular exhibits returning this year will be the petting zoo of baby farm animals, demonstrations of chiropractic and acupuncture treatment for animals, and exhibits of exotic species. The technically minded will head for demonstrations of ultrasound imaging and the

high-speed treadmill in the equine performance-testing clinic, while youngsters can dress up in surgical attire and have their pictures taken at the Dress Like a Surgeon exhibit. Those lacking surgical skills can bring torn, eyeless, noseless or otherwise injured stuffed animals to be patched by the Teddy Bear ER staff.

Self-guided tours of the family event, which runs rain-or-shine, begin at the Tower Road entrance to the veterinary college, with free parking in the O Lot, off Route 366.