Animal Connections Exhibit Heads for Washington DC

US - The Smithsonian Mobile Exhibit, which explores the human–animal bond and is supported by Zoetis, is due to be in Washington, D.C. between 26 and 29 October.
calendar icon 24 October 2013
clock icon 4 minute read

From the cows that provide the milk for a bowl of cereal to the deer nibbling on a shrub in the park, from sea lions working with their trainers at the zoo to puppies chasing balls in the yard, the connections humans have with animals are vast. This special relationship is explored in a new mobile exhibit from the Smithsonian.

'Animal Connections: Our Journey Together', a custom-built exhibition housed on an 18-wheel truck that expands into 1,000 square feet of space, will be on view on the National Mall between the Smithsonian Castle and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History Saturday 26 October to Monday 20 October, before moving to a location near the US Botanic Garden on Tuesday 29 October. The free exhibition will be open daily from 10a.m. to 4p.m. For the safety of animals and people, visitors are asked not to bring pets.

“The affection that people everywhere have for animals sparked our enthusiasm for an exhibit about veterinary medicine that would inspire lively conversations about the human–animal bond,” said Anna R. Cohn, director of Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).

Developed to inspire future generations of veterinary professionals, the free exhibition explores the shared responsibility for animals’ health and well-being. “Animal Connections” was created by SITES to mark the 150th anniversary of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The exhibition is made possible through the support of Zoetis, Inc., a company that discovers, develops and manufacturers veterinary vaccines and medicines.

“Of the more than 74 million American households that include pets, nearly two-thirds consider their pets family members,” said Dr Clark Fobian, president of the AVMA. “The deep connection Americans have with animals and the pivotal role veterinarians play in our relationships with all animals are so wonderful and worthy of celebration on our 150th anniversary.”

Divided into five sections, the exhibition focuses on animals in the home, on the farm, at the zoo, in the wild and at the veterinary clinic. Visitors are offered a variety of ways to learn through informative displays, dynamic videos and interactive experiences. In the home section, visitors will learn how to select the right pet and the possible dangers to pets, such as household items like plants and holiday decorations and giving them food prepared for family members. A display in the farm section highlights the mobile clinics that large-animal veterinarians stock with a variety of tools — from dental speculums to cow magnets — to ensure they are prepared for any procedure. A virtual clinic at the center of the exhibition provides visitors the opportunity to be the veterinarian. Through touch screens, they can examine and diagnose what ails their virtual patients — a dog, a piglet and a cheetah.

“At Zoetis, we work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals,” said Clint Lewis, executive vice president and president of U.S. business at Zoetis. “As part of our commitment to veterinarians, we are proud to join with the Smithsonian and the AVMA in supporting ‘Animal Connections’ as a means to inspire young people to pursue careers in veterinary medicine and its allied professions.”

In addition to exploring the expert care that zoo animals receive, the exhibition features enrichment objects used at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo to encourage natural behaviors in animals. For example, large plastic balls provided to tigers to put their hunting instincts to work and the zebras’ special feeders replicate grazing in the wild. Videos will showcase that even suburban areas have a great diversity of wildlife — from the squirrels trying to break into a bird-feeder to a bear lounging in a hammock.

Visitors to 'Animal Connections' can continue the learning experience online at animalconnections.com. The site includes resources on animal care and careers in veterinary medicine.

© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.