The 90th annual College Royal weekend drew an estimated 30,000 people to the University of Guelph and once again OVC students and volunteers were a big part of the event’s success.
The always-popular Teddy Bear Surgery was named best overall exhibit in university-wide judging as well as best OVC exhibit. This was the first year that Teddy Bear Surgery was a collaborative effort involving two OVC classes — the 2016 Caracals and the 2015 Stags.
Devon Barnes and Phil Levis accept the ribbon for best exhibit on behalf of the Teddy Bear Surgery volunteers.
“We had a tremendous amount of support from students from both classes which made this event possible,” said Phil Levis of the Caracals, who shared primary organizer duties with Devon Barnes of the Stags. “We also received countless compliments and congratulations from parents stating that this was the best event they have been too all weekend. Many kids have taken part in TBS year after year, and always look forward to coming back!”
College Royal organizers also acknowledged the volunteer contributions of Dr. Jeff Rau, a veterinarian with the OVC’s Ruminant Field Service. Rau was presented with the Jim and Joe Award, named in honour of U of G professors Jim Atkinson and Joe Prokipcak for their contributions to College Royal over the years.
Rau helps out by providing veterinary care for the animals involved in the College Royal livestock shows.
Dr. Jeff Rau
“I was surprised and humbled to receive the award,” says Rau, a proud OAC grad who went on to complete his DVM at OVC in 2007. Rau has participated in College Royal as a volunteer or a visitor ever since he was a first-year undergrad in the Holstein heifer show.
“Helping out brings me back to my roots. They’re an enthusiastic, hard-working group and their energy makes me want to be a part of it by helping them achieve their goals and keep the Aggie spirit alive.”
The College Royal open house was also a great showcase for about 40 would-be veterinarians and their families from the Buffalo-Niagara region in New York. The youths are part of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society Explorer Post, a hands-on program for high school students thinking about a career in veterinary medicine. The group is led by Dr. Rene van Ee, a veterinary surgeon in Tonawanda.
The group’s activities include field trips to zoos, humane societies, and veterinary schools including Cornell and OVC. In addition to take in the fun at College Royal, their trip to Guelph included a tour of OVC led by Americans enrolled in the DVM program.
About 40 youths and their families from the Buffalo area visited OVC during College Royal.