5/15/2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - "Vet School Confidential," the television series that followed the lives of five Michigan State University veterinary students and gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to go to veterinary college, will soon air on WKAR, MSU's public television station.
Previously aired segments of the 13-part series, which originally appeared on the cable television network Animal Planet, will begin with back-to-back airings of three programs at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28.
"WKAR is pleased to have the opportunity to showcase one of MSU's crown jewels - its nationally recognized College of Veterinary Medicine," said WKAR general manager Steve Meuche. "We look forward to filling viewers in on additional information related to the students and clients who were part of the original series."
In addition to re-broadcasting the original programs, WKAR will also air, as part of the half-hour programs, new segments that will update viewers on the students, their clients and the faculty who participated in the original shows.
Each episode focuses on one or two actual cases that come into the MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Students are followed as they work with an accompanying veterinarian in meeting clients, diagnosing and treating patients, and discussing cases.
In addition, each episode will focus on various aspects of becoming a veterinary student, including how students are selected, how to obtain financial aid and other topics.
The original "Vet School Confidential" was filmed at MSU in 2000 and aired in the fall of 2001. Since then, all five of the students featured in the program have graduated.
Program producers considered several of the nation's veterinary colleges before deciding on MSU.
"We just fell in love with the campus, the school and the students," said producer Chris Oldroyd.
"A number of viewers in our coverage area don't have cable or receive Animal Planet," Meuche said, "so in re-broadcasting the original episodes with our local updates, we can bring the series to a whole new group of viewers who have never seen it before."
The program will air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. on WKAR-TV, Channel 23.