Vet centre open to public

Members of the public will get their first chance this month to take a behind-the-scenes look at the University's new, state-of-the-art Veterinary Health Centre at the Roseworthy Campus.

A free Community Open Day will be held at the Veterinary Health Centre from 10.00am-3.00pm on Sunday 10 October.

The $28 million centre is the first of its kind in the State. It is part of a total $37 million investment at the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy Campus to make it the home of teaching, research and community engagement for animal and veterinary sciences.

The new Vet Health Centre houses a public access Companion Animal Health Centre (for dogs, cats and other domestic pets). The clinical services provided at the Companion Animal Health Centre will play a vital role in furthering the education of students in the University's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Roseworthy. This opens to the public on 1 November, offering a wide range of services. The Vet Health Centre also includes a veterinary diagnostic pathology laboratory and teaching facilities.

The Companion Animal Health Centre contains intensive care, ultrasound, radiology, surgical theatre and other specialist facilities, and is staffed by a range of experienced vets and vet nurses.

At the Community Open Day, public tours will be available through areas of the Vet Health Centre normally only accessible to University staff and students.

Members of the public will also have the chance to join a live Vet School class, see where and how pets are treated, and better understand the important role the practical side of animal care plays in educating the next generation of vets.

"The new Veterinary Health Centre at Roseworthy Campus is a facility that the local community can feel truly proud of," said Professor Gail Anderson, Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

"It's the biggest, the best and most state-of-the-art facility of its kind that I've ever had the pleasure of working in.

"People who come to our Community Open Day will be amazed at what we have achieved here at the Roseworthy Campus. Whether or not they're intending to bring their pets to us for care and treatment, there will be a lot of interest in what our new Vet Health Centre has to offer," she said.

www.adelaide.edu.au/vhc

Story by David Ellis