ITHACA, N.Y. -- Rain or shine, Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine will open its doors to the public for its 39th Veterinary Open House, Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterinary medical students, faculty and staff will showcase exhibits with exotic pets and wildlife, and offer basic and life-saving skills for pet owners, including a demonstration of dog agility.

Each year, self-guided tours take thousands of visitors through exhibits and demonstrations in the teaching hospital and classrooms of the nation's top-rated veterinary college. While the exotic, companion and farm animals are always a big draw, many high school students and their parents are interested in career and education information. College admission and veterinary careers information will be available throughout the day, along with two special sessions in the John D. Murray Lecture Hall: How to Be a Competitive Applicant /Veterinary Careers Information, for adults and college students at 11:30 a.m., and Planning Your Pre-veterinary Education, geared for students in grades seven to 12 and their parents at 2:30 p.m.

Students, faculty members and staff will be on hand to answer questions about a career as a veterinarian, a veterinary technician or an animal care specialist Ashley Wilfand, one of the students responsible for organizing the day, says: "Careers in veterinary medicine have traditionally involved working with dogs, cats, horses and farm animals. However, this rapidly growing field also provides opportunities to work in scientific and medical research, the animal health industry, government and the armed forces. Veterinarians care for many exotic species in zoos, wildlife refuges and in developing countries."

Among the planned exhibits and demonstrations: