Annual Open House

This extremely popular free event invites the community to explore our College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hospital to learn more about how we are a driving force in veterinary research, training and medical care.

Learn more about the operations and facilities at our Veterinary Hospital and bring your budding veterinarians to check out what the classrooms and laboratories in a state-of-the-art college of veterinary medicine are like. Then stop by demonstrations to see how our veterinarians work with animals. Make sure to leave time to participate in one of our many events.

Open House Activities

• Get your favorite stuffed animal repaired in our Teddy Bear Clinic
• Learn how our veterinarians and students care for farm animals
• Hear from a current veterinary student on what it’s really like to study at the College of Veterinary Medicine
• Take part in a “mini clinical trial” with our Clinical Studies Core team
• See how our researchers are improving animal and human health
• Engage with local animal organizations
• Meet Mr. Wuf and Ms. Wuf
• Get your face painted
• Grab a snack at one of six food trucks
• and much more!

Demonstrations and Offerings

Dog Demonstrations: Located on the Hearth (Front Lawn)

• 9:30 a.m. – Tricks for Treats – See a great array of tricks that you can teach your dog & learn how to earn titles in the AKC Trick Dog program.
• 10 a.m. – From Kindergarten to Ph.D. – Competition Obedience: Take basic commands to the next level. See dogs heeling off leash, jumping, retrieving and performing many high-level obedience exercises.
• 10:30 a.m. – The Nose Knows – Learn about the sport of Scent Work and how you can put your dog’s strongest sense organ to work to earn titles and give them a job!
• 12 p.m. – Canine Obstacle Course: Agility – See dogs jump, tunnel and weave through a dog agility course.
• 12:30 p.m. – Round Them Up! – Herding – Watch herding dogs move ducks around the field and learn more about how herding dogs are trained and work.
• 1 p.m. – Tricks for Treats – See a great array of tricks that you can teach your dog & learn how to earn titles in the AKC Trick Dog program.
• 1:30 p.m. – Canine Obstacle Course: Agility – See dogs jump, tunnel and weave through a dog agility course.
• 2 p.m. – Round Them Up! – Herding – Watch herding dogs move ducks around the field and learn more about how herding dogs are trained and work.

Equine (Horse) Demonstrations: Located in the Round Pen (to the far left of the Large Animal Hospital)

• 9 a.m. – Equine Acupuncture Demonstration
• 12 p.m. – Painted Musculoskeletal Equine Anatomy Walk-through
• 2 p.m. – Painted Musculoskeletal Equine Anatomy Walk-through

Live Presentations: Located in South Theater

• 10 a.m. Admissions Presentation by our Student Services Department
  • This will also be live-streamed in the North Theater if the room becomes full.
• 11:15 a.m. “A day in the life of a veterinary student” Presentation
• 12 p.m. Admissions Presentation by our Student Services Department
  • This will also be live-streamed in the North Theater if the room becomes full.
• 1:15 p.m. “A day in the life of a veterinary student” Presentation

Connect with the Community: Located on the Hearth (Front Lawn)

We will have several rescue and breed-specific groups from the community joining us on campus. Groups will include:

• 2 Paws Up
• AKC
• Alley Cats and Angels
• American Kennel Club (AKC)/ Raleigh Kennel Club
• BeWild, Inc.
• Boston Terrier Rescue of North Carolina
• Carolina Border Collie Rescue
• Greyhound Care & Adoption of NC
• Love Mutts Rescue
• Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue
• Paws 4ever
• Paws for Life NC
• Raleigh Aquarium Society
• Saving Grace
• Second Chance
• The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Caisson Unit
• Triangle Beagle Rescue
• US Dog Coalition and Rescue
• Vets to Vets
• Wake County Animal Shelter

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Open House at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine?

Open House is an annual event hosted by the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hospital. The college and hospital open their doors to the public for tours, activities and learning experiences. It’s an excellent activity for all ages, from families looking for fun to students interested in learning about a career in veterinary medicine!

When is the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s 2025 Annual Open House?

The event will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and visitors are invited to drop in for as long as they can within that window. Open House will be held rain or shine.

Do I need tickets?

No, the event is free! Registration is not required, but visitors are highly encouraged to RSVP via the Facebook event. 

What kinds of activities should I expect?

Open House boasts a multitude of activities for all age groups. The event includes a self-guided tour with over 20 stops where guests can get a taste of student life, hear more about admissions and clubs, learn from presentations and panels and participate in hands-on activities simulating several aspects of veterinary medicine. There will also be a multitude of educational demonstrations across campus!

Where do I find directions to NC State’s veterinary campus?

The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine is located off Hillsborough Street near the NC State Fairgrounds. For additional directions on getting to campus, click here.

Where is parking available?

Parking is free and available a short walk from the college’s main building. Visitors entering campus will follow William Moore Drive until they reach the parking deck across from the college’s main entrance, marked by a long brick path. Parking attendants will be on-site to help direct guests to the deck. 

Should the parking deck become full, additional parking will be available at Gate 9 at the NC State Fairgrounds. Shuttles will be available for those parking at Gate 9.

Limited accessible parking is available in select spots in the parking deck and in the college’s West Lot. 

Please click here for a PDF parking map.

How can visitors with mobility aids or strollers navigate campus?

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s campus is equipped with elevators that will be accessible to guests during Open House. Please note that the campus tour spans multiple floors and buildings, and guests with accessibility concerns are encouraged to contact a volunteer on-site day-of to address their needs.

Can I bring my personal pet to the event?

Personal pets are not permitted at Open House. Please leave your furry friends at home.

Will food be available on campus?

Food trucks will be parked on property for visitors to buy meals and snacks. The full list of available vendors includes:

• A Place at the Table
• Arepa Culture
• Bulkogi BBQ
• Chick-N-Que
• Coastal Concessions
• Cousin’s Maine Lobster
• The Naked Empanada

Additionally, our campus coffee shop, Creature Comforts Café, will be open. In addition to beverages, they also offer a lineup of breakfast sandwiches, fresh bakery items, bottled beverages, grab n’ go sandwiches, wraps, pastas, salads and snacks.

Will there be cow-milking activities at this year’s event?

Out of an abundance of caution, the college has elected not to have a milking station at Open House this year due to an ongoing and evolving outbreak of HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza. HPAI is a virus that primarily affects birds, but it has also been shown to affect dairy cattle and people who have had close contact with cows and raw dairy products. 

No cases of avian influenza have been detected at the college. NC State’s ruminant experts are closely monitoring the situation and have decided to pause this activity just to be cautious. 

The college’s healthy herd will still be grazing outside and inviting admiration from afar!

Explore last year’s Open House

Follow Along on Social Media

Follow the fun on Facebook and Instagram. We will be posting additional information leading up to Open House. Share your experiences with us during the event using the #NCStateVetMed hashtag!