4-H Veterinary Science Workshops presented

A 4-H Veterinary Science Workshop is being held on Monday nights from Feb. 7 through March 21, 2005, in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.

The program is designed to provide an opportunity for 4-H members who have an interest in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine to gain hands-on experience, become acquainted with a veterinary school atmosphere, and attend lectures from some of the most respected veterinarians and officials in the area, according to organizers.

Dr. Keath Marx of Seven Seas Veterinary Services in Blacksburg and Rudi Woykoski of Rudi's Reptile Removal in Fairlawn lectured together on Feb. 7. Marx presented an overview of the program and reptile medicine with the 4-H members, and Woykowski spoke on herpetology. Dr. Dennis Blodgett, of Blacksburg, Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, and associate professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, made a presentation on toxicology and poisons on Feb. 14.

A lecture and hands-on demonstrations related to necropsy/pathology by Dr. Geoffrey Saunders was held on Feb. 21. Dr. Lynette Tobias, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal-Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), Veterinary Services, will speak on animal disease emergency response during the Feb. 28 session. The March 7 workshop topic has not been announced. Dr. Martha Moon Larson, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology, and professor, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, will discuss veterinary radiology and ultrasonography on March 14. Program registrants will tour the VMRCVM on March 21.

The lectures and demonstrations are being held in the VMRCVM's Room 102. The workshops will be cancelled for inclement weather if Virginia Tech is closed.

For registration information, contact the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Office at (540) 382-5790. The Montgomery 4-H County Extension Office, The VMRCVM, and Seven Seas Veterinary Services are sponsoring the program for local 4-H members.