CHICAGO, IL (July 17) — The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) introduces visitors to the world of veterinary medicine with its new traveling exhibit, “Animal Connections: Our Journey Together.” More than 1,000 square feet of mobile exhibition space has been custom fit with state-of-the-art interactive displays and videos that explore our shared responsibility for the health and welfare of animals.
Divided into five sections, the exhibition focuses on animals in the home, on the farm, at the zoo, in the wild and at the veterinary clinic.
After its national unveiling at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Convention on July 20, the specially designed “mobile experience,” housed on an 18-wheeler, moves to the Museum Campus near the Shedd Aquarium for three days on Tuesday, July 23. The exhibit will be open and free of charge to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can participate in family-friendly activities, including talks and demonstrations by local veterinarians. Beginning July 26, the exhibit will travel to other Chicago parks providing local camps, after school programs and families to tour the exhibit in their own neighborhoods.
Highlights for visitors include:
- testing their diagnostic skills on virtual patients including a dog, piglet and cheetah in a virtual veterinary clinic with computer touch tables serving as the exam table;
- matching your lifestyle with the best pet for your family;
- exploring compartments found in mobile veterinary clinics that large- animal veterinarian stock with a variety of tools — from dental speculums to cow magnets needed to care for farm animals;
- a look at the bond between zoo animals, their caretakers and veterinarians and importance of environmental enrichment;
- managing an unexpected wildlife encounter in their neighborhood.
“Animal Connections: Our Journey Together” was created by the SITES to mark the 150th anniversary of the AVMA and was made possible through the generous support of Zoetis, a leading independent company focused on animal health.
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is celebrating its 150th anniversary of education, science and service to the veterinary profession and society. As one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, it serves more than 84,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.
About Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for 60 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play.
Zoetis (zô-EH-tis), is a leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting customers and businesses focused on raising and caring for livestock and companion animals. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. A proud sponsor of Animal Connections: Our Journey Together with SITES and the AVMA, Zoetis has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for livestock and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com
