Last May, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine revived a tradition that had been set aside for more than 20 years by welcoming the general public to La Grande Visite.

Through a self-guided and interactive tour, attendees explored various units of the Faculty. They discovered the brand-new Veterinary Simulation and Virtual Reality Centre, the anatomy lab, the Farm Animal Hospital, and the Equine Hospital.

Photo Credit : Christophe Dubé

Along the way, about thirty stations and interactive booths showcased themes related to animal health and welfare, research, and food safety. Visitors had the chance to taste edible insects, cuddle an ambassador dog from the canine blood donation clinic, test their fine motor skills by practicing sutures on a bell pepper, take part in trivia games, and handle animal models.

Photo Credit : Amélie St-Georges

Teddy Bear Clinic 

Young families also enjoyed a playful and educational consultation at the Teddy Bear Clinic, hosted by veterinary students. 

Crédit photo : Christophe Dubé

Children brought their favourite stuffed animals, which were carefully examined by a future veterinarian. The experience concluded with a health booklet—and many big smiles.

La Grande Visite brought together more than 200 members of the faculty community, along with external partners. The event was a resounding success, attracting over 2,000 visitors. The Faculty now plans to hold it every two years, offering the public a chance to discover the breadth of its projects and to raise awareness of major challenges in animal and public health.