EAST LANSING, Mich. - "Vet School Confidential," a new television program filmed entirely at Michigan State University that offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to go to veterinary school, will debut on the Animal Planet cable network Tuesday, Aug. 7.
The 13-part series will air Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.
It was in December 2000 that a crew from Rocket Pictures, a Colorado-based production company that produced the show, arrived at MSU and began following the fortunes of five MSU veterinary students.
The filming continued through the spring, watching the students as they worked in the clinics, studied with one another and even found time to have social lives.
Why Michigan State? Producer Chris Oldroyd said several veterinary colleges were considered.
"We just fell in love with the campus, the school and the students," she said.
Each program will focus on one or two actual cases that come into the MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. It will follow the students as they work with an accompanying veterinarian in meeting with clients, diagnosing and treating patients, and discussing cases.
The program also will offer a look at what some of the students do to help unwind from the rigors of veterinary college, including late-night hockey and pick-up basketball games.
The show will cover a wide range of cases, including a dog that needs knee surgery, cataract surgery on a dog, the birth of a foal, and even the de-horning of a goat.
"It's a show for animal lovers and we are just trying to accurately portray the life of a vet med student," Oldroyd said.
"We were very happy to work with the people from Rocket Pictures and Animal Planet," said Lonnie King, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the college, MSU and the veterinary profession."
The five students featured on the show are: Rachel Cezar, a third-year student from Three Rivers, Mich.; Danielle Chapman, a third-year student from Grand Blanc, Mich.; Jake Langendorfer, a fourth-year student from West Branch, Mich.; Steve Mehler, a third-year student from Farmington Hills, Mich.; and Kent Vince, a fourth-year student from Rochester Hills, Mich.
The College of Veterinary Medicine has been an integral part of MSU since the college was formally established in 1910. It graduates approximately 100 new veterinarians every year.
The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where much of "Vet School Confidential" was filmed, records nearly 21,000 patient visits per year. An additional 113,000 animals are seen during field service calls.
Launched in 1996, Animal Planet is one of the country's fastest-growing cable networks. It is currently available in more than 60 million homes.