Ordinary people doing extraordinary things

The title of this blog is one of Danielle's favorite quotes. This happened this weekend at Open House. Here's a shout out to some of the best students at NCSU CVM- the bovine club. Each year 4th years graduate and leave big shoes for underclass men to fill and each year they are filled amazingly. If it wasn't for the upperclassman and the welcoming atmosphere of this group I might not be where I am today. Being the ruminant intern I am still very involved in the club and have may mentees as well as friends in the club. 

This past weekend I helped the club out by getting ready for open house and running the milking demonstration.

Fridays festivities started with washing the fistulated steer. This steer has a fistula into his rumen (one of the 4 compartments of his stomach.) this compartment is in essence a large fermentation vat. They have these fistula for research purpose and also to help sick animals. When ruminants have an upset stomach sometimes they need to replace the flora (like we do with yogurt or probiotics) we can take rumen juice from these fistulated animals and give it to a sick animal. The steer is at open house to teach the public about rumen digestion and we want his squeaky clean :)

Afterwards we washed the dairy cows and set up pens. I left early but the bovine club stayed in the pouring rain until everything was set up and ready to go. They were the last to leave on Friday and the first to arrive on Monday. The rain did not let up but the students came with a smile and made the open house a success. Many kids have never milked a cow and its fun to get to be a part of that experience! 

Open house is a great time if you missed it this year you should be sure to go next year!

My internmates from the barn. 

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