A guide to chart-topping activities for Fetch Nashville

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Earlier this year we were proud to announce a new location for our Fetch dvm360 conferences. Taking place May 17 and 18, 2024, the Nashville, Tennessee, conference will be at the Music City Center, where attendees can earn continuing education (CE) credits while interacting and networking with peers, friends, and faculty.

Fetch Nashville will consist of 2 full days of CE opportunities and will feature keynote presentations from Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, owner of Animal Behavior Clinic, Portland, Oregon; and Natalie L. Marks, DVM, DVJ, CCFP, FFCP-Elite, president of Marks DVM Consulting. On the first day, Pachel will discuss separation anxiety cases and treatment options. Marks will present on the second day and explain how country music made her a better veterinarian, as well as share general insights about this profession.

Pachel told dvm360, “I am really excited to be a keynote for the inaugural event for Fetch Nashville, and I look forward to meeting folks who may be attending a Fetch conference for the first time as well as welcoming back our regulars.”

Faculty and staff recommendations

If you are new to the Nashville area or want tips for things to do while visiting the city, here are some recommendations from our staff and faculty:

A restaurant that keynote speaker Marks is eager to visit is Big Al’s Deli in the Salemtown area. This breakfast and lunch spot is known for blending hospitality with homestyle cooking, offering a variety of classic breakfast options and Southern lunch favorites. From crispy fried catfish to zesty South Carolinian shrimp and grits, patrons can savor these dishes in an inviting atmosphere. “I’m big into comfort food and have heard Big Al’s Deli is a must-visit. I can’t wait,” she said.

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), scientific communication specialist at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, was a faculty member for our 2023 Directions in Veterinary Medicine symposium in Nashville. She recommended visitors see the famous Grand Ole Opry, a live music venue founded in 1925. “Nashville is absolutely amazing. I’ve been there a couple of times and I absolutely love it. The Grand Ole Opry is there....There is a lot of history there,” Ograin said.

Additionally, Broadway Street in Nashville is known for its music bars that line both sides of the street. Music from the bands can be heard from outside the bars, enticing you inside. There are many lively bars, but some recommended by dvm360 staff include Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, Nashville Underground, and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row.

Museums

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is in downtown Nashville and is often referred to as the “Smithsonian of country music,” recognized for its cultural impact, educational mission, and unparalleled collection of historically significant artifacts associated with country music. Through exhibits, publications, and educational programs, the museum imparts knowledge about the enduring beauty and cultural significance of country music to a diverse audience. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the museum operates as a nonprofit educational organization. In 2014, a $100 million expansion doubled its size to encompass 350,000 square feet, housing exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The institution also features the Taylor Swift Education Center, catering to students, teachers, and families.¹

Nestled between Broadway and Demonbreun streets, the Johnny Cash Museum was named the No. 1 music museum in the United States by USA Today.² The museum offers a self-guided experience about the famous musician’s life and career 7 days a week. Inside the museum there is also Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ serving authentic Southern food, as well as a gift shop with Johnny Cash memorabilia.

Other food and drink

There is an opportunity to discover and taste several kinds of whiskey on any of the Tennessee Whiskey Tours. These tours take you on a trip around Tennessee, stopping at multiple distillery locations, while educating guests about the history of the drink.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is famous in Nashville. The first location was off Broadway Street in 2012, but since then multiple spots have popped up around the greater Nashville area. Hot chicken is a staple in Nashville and Hattie B’s is the place to get it while visiting.

References

1. About us. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Accessed February 12, 2024. https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/about
2. Johnny Cash Museum. Accessed February 12, 2024. https://www.johnnycashmuseum.com/