Students for a day: College supporters experience the veterinary life
Several of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine’s key supporters spent hours in Gainesville on Oct. 9, learning more about the ways in which their contributions have helped strengthen clinical programs and enhanced teaching and learning opportunities as well as patient care.
The event, dubbed “Student for a Day,” drew about a dozen people to the college for a morning of educational demonstrations. Veterinary student ambassadors helped the attendees don white coats for the occasion, and Dean Jim Lloyd greeted the group at “orientation” with remarks that mirrored those that actual incoming veterinary students receive.
Then three different groups took off to perform three separate “rotations,” in the new clinical skills laboratory, in small animal cardiology and in the equine sports performance complex, also known as the lameness arena. In each area, the attendees were given an overview of the type of material that is taught in the rotation and an opportunity to participate in an interactive, hands-on learning experience and what students are expected to learn.
Dr. Simon Swift provided an ultrasound demonstration in cardiology, Dr. Ali Morton demonstrated how lameness in horses is monitored in the equine sports performance complex and Joice Gardner, assisted by veterinary student ambassadors, oversaw demonstrations in the clinical skills laboratory, where members of the group were able to try their hand at techniques such as placing a catheter and bandaging.
Following the tours, the group enjoyed lunch in the Banfield Room and were presented with certificates for successfully completing the program.