The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) welcomed aspiring young veterinary professionals to the Ohio State Fair yesterday for its annual “Vet for a Day” program. Designed to give students a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look into veterinary medicine, biosecurity, and One Health initiatives, this year’s event brought energy and enthusiasm to the fairgrounds.
Nearly 90 high school students checked in for a full day of interactive learning, clinical demonstrations, and educational mentorship. The morning began with welcoming remarks from OVMA President Dr. Amanda Wagner and Protect OHIO Director of Outreach and Engagement Dr. Leah Dorman, who encouraged participants to explore the wide range of career pathways across veterinary medicine and public health.
Led by OSU CVM student ambassadors Mia Stewart, Lexi Troyer, and Sabrina Mohler, participants rotated through four specialized educational stations led by OVMA members:
- Cattle & Mobile Veterinary Truck Presentation — Hosted in the OVMA Animal Life & Learning Center, Dr. Robert Gano introduced students to “Gladys,” the teaching cow used to educate veterinary students at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU CVM). Students received a guided tour of a mobile veterinary truck, observed a baby alpaca, learned how to milk a cow, and got up close with newborn calves.
- Poultry Health & Biosecurity — Dr. Jess Higgins of Urbana Veterinary Clinic led a hands-on demonstration showing students proper techniques for holding and handling laying hens. She emphasized the critical role of biosecurity and hygiene in maintaining animal health and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. The session also addressed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and its current impact on wild birds and commercial poultry.
- Swine Herd Health & Diagnostics — At this station, Dr. Terri Specht-Benson of Heimerl Farms in Johnstown discussed her work managing herd health, maintaining biosecurity protocols when moving between client farms, and ensuring food safety. She demonstrated diagnostic testing procedures using a cotton rope to collect oral fluid samples from swine.
- Sheep Ophthalmic Examination — Dr. Joy Sizemore of Sizemore Veterinary Care in Bellevue guided students through a step-by-step hands-on demonstration on how to perform a clinical eye examination on a sheep, teaching participants how to assess ocular health in small ruminants.
Students also participated in a college fair, which introduced them to academic pathways and admissions requirements at several regional institutions and programs, including:
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU CVM)
- The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (OSU ATI)
- University of Findlay
- Muskingum University
- Otterbein University
- Columbus State Community College (CSCC)
- Protect One Health Ohio – OSU
Overall feedback from participating students was overwhelmingly positive. Anecdotally, the hands-on poultry presentation with Dr. Higgins emerged as a crowd favorite, as students appreciated the unique opportunity to safely handle laying hens while learning key biosecurity concepts.
OVMA is committed to nurturing interest in veterinary medicine and public health among Ohio youth, supporting a robust veterinary pipeline within the state. Events like Vet for a Day showcase the vital roles veterinarians play in clinical care, livestock production, food safety, and disease prevention.
The OVMA extends its appreciation to all volunteer presenters, educational partners, and participants who contributed to making yesterday’s event a success. If you are interested in volunteering at next year’s event, please contact OVMA Director of Membership Mia Cunningham at mlc@ohiovma.org.
