Photo gallery: Smithsonian veterinary exhibit hits the road at AVMA

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A 1,000-square-foot interactive veterinary exhibit on wheels, presented by the Smithosian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and sponsored by Zoetis, was unveiled at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) annual conference on July 20 in celebration of the organization's 150th anniversary.

"School-age children all over the country are going to get to experience what veterinary medicine is like beyond what they usually see," says AVMA Executive Vice President Ron DeHaven, DVM, MBA.

The free exhibit, Animal Connections: Our Journey Together, is designed to help the next generation of scientists, veterinarians and even everyday pet owners and wildlife enthusiasts explore human-animal relationships in the home, on the farm, at the zoo, in the wild and at the veterinary clinic.

The 18-foot truck hauling the custom-built exhibition will be traveling to select spaces throughout the Chicago Park District July 27 through Aug. 9 before heading to New York and then Washington, D.C. Visit animalconnections.com to learn more and click the Next button to start exploring the exhibit.

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The exhibit features five main sections: the home, the farm, the zoo, the wild and the veterinary clinic.

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On the interactive exam table, vistors can "diagnose" the dog, pig or cheetah of their choice. The veterinary clinic station also features radiographs of animals that have swallowed foreign objects.

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At this station, visitors can determine which pet fits their lifestyle best based on how much time, space and money they have available.

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The warning sign in this display case says, "Pets eat the darndest things. These are some favorites that can cause tummy trouble ... and much worse." This section features more shelves with additional examples of items toxic to pets.

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"Can you guess how these veterinary tools are used?" The exhibit puts vistors' large animal knowledge to the test.

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In this farm area, visitors can learn all about cows (including facts about preventive care, shelter, nutrition, udder and hoof care and so on), and even see what a mobile equine veterinary clinic look like.

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Here vistors get a behind-the-scenes look at animal care and research at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

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This wildlife section of the exhibit educates visitors on what to do if they encounter animals in their natural—or not so natural—habitat.

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to learn more about the exhibition and find out if it's coming to a city near you.