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Meet Dr. Max, Dr. Jack, and Dr. Heather. These “Dog
Doctors” are Bernese Mountain Dogs, a relatively rare
breed of dog that traces its origin to the mountains of Switzerland.
They began life as part of a research program at UGA and quickly
showed that they could contribute much more. Instead of growing
up in a laboratory, the puppies live in foster homes as part
of real families.
The Dog Doctors are part of the Pet Visitation program at
the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. They have visited
numerous classrooms around the state to introduce students
– many who have never been exposed to animals before
– to the pleasures and responsibilities of dog ownership.
During the visits, the dogs’ owner and breeder, Paige
Carmichael, a UGA veterinarian, talks about her research and
the roles that the Dog Doctors play in her development of
tests to detect genetic diseases in dogs. She answers students’
questions about the dogs, her research, and careers in Veterinary
Medicine. She also shows photographs of the Dog Doctors as
they grew from babies to full-grown animals that now weigh
about 100 pounds each.
Dr. Carmichael and the Dog Doctors have gone to facilities
around the state from nursing homes to elementary schools
and high schools. The dogs have all completed obedience training
and are available to meet with select groups as a public service
of the university.
Competing in a Global Economy
The University of Georgia is at the forefront of the globalization
movement in higher education with a wealth of opportunities
for international experiences. Our students are flocking to
study-abroad programs, thriving on the challenges inherent in
confronting a new cultural environment. More and more, students
on campus are also making choices that reflect an understanding
of the importance of global awareness—from living in a
residence hall-based language community to starting a radio
program in another language to minoring in a foreign language.
These experiences, whether at home or abroad, influence how
our students perceive the world and their place in it. We’re
producing graduates prepared to be world citizens—well
informed, culturally sensitive and technologically sophisticated.
They’re ready to take on the challenges of our global
society, and they’ll be equally at home whether in the
Peach State or the Republic of Georgia. |
