Careers in Veterinary Medicine program to be presented

For the 15th consecutive year, "Careers in Veterinary Medicine," a 4-H series that provides a glimpse of the modern veterinary profession, will be presented at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) on the Virginia Tech campus from Feb. 6 to Mar.20.

Sponsored by Seven Seas Veterinary Services, the college, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) and the Montgomery County 4-H Extension Office, the course will be held on Monday evenings from 7-8 p.m.

The program provides registrants with an opportunity to learn about a variety of topics in the profession and culminates with a guided tour of the veterinary college complex at Virginia Tech. The program is again being coordinated by Dr. Keath Marx (VMRCVM, ’89), owner of Seven Seas Veterinary Services.

"Veterinary medicine is playing an ever-growing role in the world we live in," said Marx, who has led the course for the past 15 years. "I think it's important that we help children learn as much as they can about this profession as they begin thinking about what they want to do with the rest of their lives."

Pre-registration is requested but not required, provided that the maximum class size is not exceeded. Class size is limited to 40 children. Adult escorts or sponsors are invited if space is available at each of the events. Registrants need not be current members of 4-H.

Scheduled topics and speakers include:

Feb. 6- “Introduction,” Dr. Keath L Marx, Seven Seas Veterinary Services.

Feb. 13 – “Small Animal Cardiology and Ophthalmology,” Dr. Christopher Paige, resident in cardiology, and Dr. Jamie Schorling, resident in ophthalmology, VMRCVM.

Feb. 20 – “Aquatic Veterinary Medicine for Fish and Horseshoe Crabs,” Dr. Stephen A Smith, professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, VMRCVM. (this class to be held at the Aquatic Lab at Price’s Fork Research Center)

Feb. 27 – “Radiology and Ultrasound,” Dr. Tonya Tromblee and Dr. Chris Ober, residents in radiology, VMRCVM.

Mar. 6 – “Veterinary Epidemiology Protecting American Agriculture,” Dr. Lynette Tobias, Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA/APHIS.

Mar. 13 – “Equine Endoscopy (Upper Airway, Gastrointestinal Tract and Joints),” Dr. R. Scott Pleasant, associate professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Director of Equine Extension, and Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, VMRCVM.

Mar. 20 - Tour of Veterinary Hospital and College, Ted Smusz, Communications, VMRCVM.

Classes will be held in the VMRCVM’s Classroom 102, which is located across from the Veterinary Medicine Library. Attendees will enter via the Veterinary Teaching Hospital entrance and proceed to the left down the hall to the classroom.

For more information, contact Michelle Adcock at aadcock@vt.edu or call (540)382-5790.