Taking off at the start of the Fun Run.
The 24th Annual Pet Day and Open House began with intermittent rain showers and downpours that continued throughout the day. Shortly after 9 a.m. and in spite of the inclement weather, over a hundred runners in three divisions were unleashed at the starting line across from Magruder Hall. Many ran or walked with their leashed four-legged companions. For results in the Basset Hound, Retriever and Greyhound divisions, click here.
Sixty-six booths offered a variety of interest: pet health information and samples, animal adoption, llama and goat demonstrations, a talented terrier performing numerous tricks, dog agility, a Frisbee dog competition, a visit to the anatomy lab, a variety of reptiles on display, a petting zoo, and pony rides just to name a few.
Pet Day is organized and orchestrated by the first- and second-year veterinary students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Ten incoming students from the Class of 2015 volunteered their time. Students in the OSU Pre-Veterinary Medicine Association held a “Cow Pie Bingo” event.
Judges had the difficult task of selecting winners in the Cat Photo Contest. See the winners here.
Pet Day was well recorded. You are welcome to view hundreds of photographs on our website. Here is just a sampling:
One of the booths was called “Leilani’s Journey” (see photo at left). Just over a year ago, Jeannine Marshall brought her tiny Sheltie into the Small Animal Hospital because Leilani had a severe cleft pallet. Since then, Dr. Bernard Séguin has performed numerous surgeries to close the hole in her mouth with success. Ms. Marshall wanted to share her experience at Pet Day. Another of Dr. Séguin’s successes also came to Pet Day.
Two and a half years ago, Kristi Lyon (see photo at right) brought in her Border Collie, Lacey. She had a developmental abnormality of the major blood vessels in her chest which lead to a constriction of the esophagus and megaesophagus. Drs. Séguin and Jennifer Simpson performed the surgery. Ms. Lyon said, “Lacey is doing fine, thanks to the great treatment of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.”
On April 30, the OSU campus hosted not only Pet Day, but Mom’s Weekend, a spring football game and a wrestling match. Parking was challenging for those who came late.
The 25th annual Pet Day will take place May 5, 2012. Look forward to a memorable and historic occasion!
