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Aspiring veterinarians put their puppy love to test: Museum in Cumru Township lets youngsters don surgical gear, stitch up stuffed animals
May 31, 2009 (Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Wearing a surgical mask and scrubs, Amanda Dupel got to try out her dream job Saturday.
For the last few years Dupel, 9, of Brecknock Township has talked of becoming a veterinarian when she grows up, said her mom, Michelle.
So Amanda was thrilled to attend the veterinary career and family fun day at the American Museum of Veterinary Medicine in Cumru Township.
Dupel and other youngsters attempted some veterinary techniques, such as stitching up wounds -- on Beanie Baby animals. They also gave intravenous injections to a model of a dog arm in a makeshift M.A.S.H. unit.
They were guided by students and representatives from the veterinary programs of Manor and Harcum colleges and the University of Pennsylvania.
Dupel proved herself to be pretty handy with a needle, but her favorite activity was seeing an ultrasound performed on a live poodle.
"You could see his heart and liver and intestines and kidneys," she said. "It was really interesting."
Her mom also thought the event was great.
"It's one thing for her to say she wants to be a vet, but today she's getting to see what a vet actually does, and she likes it," Michelle said.
For 9-year old Taylor Dickson, the highlight of the day was using a stethoscope to listen to the heartbeat of a soft-coated Wheaten terrier as it gently licked her face.
Taylor said her favorite animals are alpacas, such as those belonging to her grandparents, but she likes all animals and someday wants to be a vet or X-ray technician at a zoo.
Several animal rescue groups also were on hand, as were some farm animals, such as goats and sheep.
Hannah Pietrobono, 8, was lucky enough to pick up a new friend -- a mini Rex rabbit she immediately named Brownie.
Pietrobono of Robesonia is the granddaughter of past American Veterinary Medical Association president Dr. Sherbyn Ostrich, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps as a vet, said her mother, Annmarie.
So the baby rabbit will be hers to raise and also to show through 4-H, Annmarie said.
Dr. Max Herman, museum president, said the hope was that Pietrobono and the other children who attended learned something about the past, present and future of veterinary medicine. "We hope they see it can be fun," he said.
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