U of G ‘Open Doors’ to Showcase Innovation, Partnerships
November 08, 2012 - News Release
The University of Guelph will hold two open houses Nov. 15 to show how university partnerships help local communities and the national economy.
U of G invites people to visit two of its state-of-the-art facilities at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC): the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre, and the Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre.
Visitors may take in demonstrations, tours, seminars and displays from 2 to 6 p.m. All activities are free and open to everyone.
The event is part of a national “Open Doors, Open Knowledge” campaign by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. The campaign is intended to highlight how university collaborations with government, industry and not-for-profit agencies help drive innovation in Canada.
“These two cutting-edge centres have allowed OVC and the University to be at the forefront of learning and research, advancing health and the well-being of all species,” said Elizabeth Stone, OVC dean.
“The knowledge generated is benefiting animals and their owners, students and veterinarians, and communities in Ontario and beyond. We’re also building upon the University’s legacy of improving the lives of animals and humans through partnerships with stakeholders within industry and the government.”
The Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre integrates preventive and general medicine with nutrition, behaviour, public health, rehabilitation, communication and animal welfare. It was supported by a $5-million, 10-year commitment from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. and by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, which invested $9.5 million in the facility and OVC redevelopment.
A major focus of the centre, which opened in 2010, is the nurturing and career development of student veterinarians. The facility is managed and operated by OVC students supervised by OVC veterinarians and technicians serving as mentors, trainers and evaluators.
Opened in 2012, the Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre is intended to improve the quality of life and performance of horses through expert health care, education and research. The centre was supported by private donations and bequests as well as by industry and government research investments.
Open house activities at the primary healthcare centre will take place every half hour starting at 2:30 p.m. They will include a canine rehabilitation demonstration, a talk on “What Happens When Your Pet Goes to the Vet” and a pet nutrition seminar.
Open Door events at the equine centre will include dressage riding demonstrations (4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.) and equine reproduction and airway diagnostic demonstrations (2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Equine Guelph will also participate in the day’s activities, with educational opportunities, its popular “Equimania’ display and information on colic prevention.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Shiona Mackenzie, Ext. 56982, or shiona@uoguelph.ca.
