Veterinary student volunteers organize the college’s annual Open House. During Open House, more than 2,000 people tour the college and attend educational presentations to learn about the scope and depth of veterinary medicine and the college’s admissions requirements. They also enjoy entertainment such as agility dog shows, horse shows and presentations about raptors, reptiles and rabbits. Students handle logistics, marketing, media relations, crowd control and coordinating with outside vendors.
Join us for a day filled with family-friendly fun, educational exhibits, hands-on animal activities,
expert speakers, food vendors, and more!
Saturday, May 10th | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1520 East Rollins St, Columbia, MO 65211
Guest Speaker Schedule
Join us for a full day of exciting and informative presentations from experts in various fields of veterinary medicine. All sessions are open to students, faculty, and staff. Please note the location for each presentation.
Library Speakers
- 9:30 A.M. – Dr. Josephine Dornbusch: Soft Tissue Surgery
- 10:00 A.M. – Dr. Leslie Lyons: Feline Genetics
- 11:00 A.M. – Dr. Pamela Adkins: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- 1:00 P.M. – Dr. Aaron Sieve & Dr. Albert D’Agostino: Ophthalmology
- 1:30 P.M. – Dr. Bess Pierce: Sports Medicine
- 2:00 P.M. – Dr. Jessica McCarthy: Small Animal Orthopedics
- 2:30 P.M. – Dr. Laurie Frasher: Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care
Auditorium Speakers
- 10:30 A.M. – Student Panel: Mizzou Veterinary Students
- 12:00 P.M. – Kathy Seay: Admissions
- 1:30 P.M. – Technician Panel: Featuring Mary McFillen, RVT, and Others
Trowbridge
- 9:15 A.M. – Dr. Hannah Leventhal will present on Pigeon Fever
- 10:00 A.M. – Dr. Pamela Adkins will speak on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- 11:00 A.M. – Dr. Scott Poock will cover EPDs and Bull Selection
- 1:00 P.M. – George Frees will share his knowledge of Beekeeping
Clinical Skills Lab
- 10:30 A.M. – The Antidote will host Pets, Poisons and Puppets Scavenger Hunt for grades pre-K to 3rd
Tile Room Story Time with Dr. Alisa Hutchison
- 10:00 A.M.
- 10:30 A.M.
- 11:00 A.M.
- 11:30 A.M.
Entertainment
Attendees can look forward to an engaging and educational experience with a variety of exhibits, demonstrations, and interactive activities. The event will feature:
Adams Location
- Ann Gafke’s Dog Schooling
- Central Missouri Humane Society
- Divine Veterinary Clinic
- Jefferson City Animal Hospital
- Merck
- Military (Mannes)
- Nichols Group
- Raptor Club
- Robin Dianics
- Rock Bridge Animal Hospital
- SAVMA
- Theriogenology Club
- Tigers for Tigers Club
- Vetahumanz
- VOICE
Room W233
- Missouri House Rabbit Rescue
Room W235 Location
- CVF
- Nutrition Club
- SCVECCS
- Theriogenology Club
- ZEW Club
- Human-Animal Bond Club
Histology Lab
- Comparative Medicine Program (CMPC)
Clinical Skills Lab Location
- Balloon Animals with The Antidote
Outside Locations
- Boone County Sheriff K9 Unit
- Columbia Canine Sports Center
- Fire and Rescue
- Purina Dog Show
- Raptor Club
Trowbridge
- Bovine Club
- IDEXX
- Mule Team (Mule Rides)
- Missouri Department of Agriculture
- Missouri Sheep Producers
- Mizzou Animal Sciences Equine Department
- Mizzou Swine Research Center
- Swine Club
- USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Animal Science Parking Lot
- Fire and Rescue
Trowbridge
This family-friendly event is a fantastic opportunity to learn about veterinary medicine, agriculture, and animal care in a fun and interactive setting.
Featured Events
- Little Rodeo – Barrel racing, roping, bull riding & more! (Bring your own stick ponies)
- Scavenger Hunt – Discover where your food, clothes, and more come from
- Milking Dairy Cows – Learn how to milk and care for dairy cattle
- Biosecurity Trailer – Learn and practice proper biosecurity techniques
- Cannulated Dairy Cow – Reach into a real cow’s surgical porthole and feel its rumen
- Photo Booth – Capture fun moments at the event
Meet the Animals
- Swine
- Dairy Calves
- Babydoll Sheep
- Mini Cows
- Goats
Guest Speakers
- 9:15 A.M. – Dr. Hannah Leventhal will present on Pigeon Fever
- 10:00 A.M. – Dr. Pamela Adkins will speak on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- 11:00 A.M. – Dr. Scott Poock will cover EPDs and Bull Selection
- 1:00 P.M. – George Frees will share his knowledge of Beekeeping
Tours
We will be giving both Small and Large Animal VHC tours from 9am-3pm. We expect each tour to last 45-60 minutes”
The Small Animal tours will consist of stops at:
- Clinical Pathology
- Radiology
- Fluoroscopy
- Surgery Suites
- Anesthesia Suite
- Dental Suite
- Internal Medicine
- Oncology
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Neurology
- Raptor Rehab
- Cardiology
- Ophthalmology
- Community Practice
The Large Animal tours will consist of stops at:
- PET Scan
- Motion Analysis Lab
- Sport Medicine and Rehab
- CT
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiology
- Standing CT
- Equine
- Theriogenology
- MRI
- Food Animal
Activities
- Zou Clues scavenger hunt with prizes
- SAVMA Face Painting
- Surgery Bears station in the Anatomy Lab
- Story Time with Dr. Hutchison
- And more exciting prizes!
Concessions
Enjoy a variety of delicious food and refreshing drinks from local vendors!
- The Melt Masters – Serving up gourmet grilled cheese and more
- Big Nose BBQ – Savor mouthwatering BBQ classics grilled to perfection
- Fresh Lemonade Co. – Cool off with freshly squeezed lemonade
- Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck – Enjoy hot and iced coffee options on the go
- Kona Ice – Treat yourself to refreshing shaved ice in a variety of flavors
- The Patty Wagon – Serving up delicious SMASH burgers
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors for supporting this year’s Open House
- CareVet
- Nave Veterinary Group
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
- SAVMA – University of Missouri
Your contributions make this event possible and help us continue to educate, inspire, and connect with our community.
There’s Still Time to Donate!
Scan the QR code above or make a donation here to help us make the 2025 Open House our best one yet!