The white horse didn’t flinch as middle school students took turns snaking a tube through its nostril and into its stomach—or rather, where its stomach would be if the horse had one.

The horse is actually a model head mounted on a pole that is made for hands-on learning, allowing students to practice clinical skills. While the horse itself is fake, organizers of VetCamp hope it and other facets of their program inspire real interest in veterinary medicine careers. 

VetCamp is an interactive education program for students in grades 6-12 who are interested in learning more about the field of veterinary medicine as a career. The hands-on learning activities are developed and taught by students from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, with sponsorship from the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation.

Each summer, three-hour camp sessions are hosted at CVM and other locations in Minnesota. Camp participants receive a glimpse into the veterinary field through hands-on learning activities covering a variety of animal health topics, including learning the proper way to handle poultry, conducting equine fecal tests, and identifying food and household items that are toxic to pets. 

For more information and to view upcoming camps, visit z.umn.edu/vetcampinfo.