August 2, 2023
Many of the Iowa State Fair’s most iconic and longstanding traditions – from showing livestock to the swine farrowing display – involve live animals, and Iowa State veterinarians oversee the health of all animals throughout the entirety of the fair. This effort involves a small army of clinicians and students from Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. These include veterinary clinicians Rachel Friedrich, Megan Hindman, Mitch Hiscocks, Lynn Geoffroy, Cody Sacquitne, Allison Vander Plaats, Caleb Brezina and Michelle Buckley as well as veterinary students Austin Lange, Alex Bishop, McKenna Brinning and Ali Stadtlander.
Iowa State veterinarians and veterinary students also will help with the farrowing display at the state fair. Those include Gabi Doughan, a post-doctoral research associate; Justin Brown, an assistant teaching professor; Locke Karriker, director of the Swine Medicine Education Center; Kristin Skoland, program coordinator with the Swine Medicine Education Center; Becca Walthart, masters student; Cora Schau, veterinary intern; Grace Clark, veterinary intern; Justin Hennessey, veterinary student; and Meredith Petersen, a post-doctoral research associate.
Dave Gieseke, communications director for the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, will be a featured speaker at Vet Camp, a hands-on learning program for fourth through seventh graders to learn about animal health and welfare.
Dr. Dan Grooms, the Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine, will show a steer raised by Leah Bean of Marathon, Iowa, at the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.