Carson Bandy is battling lymphoblastic leukemia. She has recently been chosen as Oklahoma's Champion Child for the Children's Miracle Network. Carson was recently treated to a special VIP tour of OSU

Dr. Holly Evers, a lecturer with the Center's Veterinary Pathobiology Department, has known Carson's mom since the 3rd grade. Carson would like to be a veterinarian some day. So Carson and her grandmother, Sally, visited the Veterinary Center during her Spring Break. Dr. Katrina Meinkoth took Carson, Sally and Dr. Evers on a tour of the Veterinary Center.


First stop – the Dean's office. Dr. Michael Lorenz, professor and dean of the Veterinary Center gives Carson an OSU College of Veterinary Medicine blanket and cap, which she proudly wears.



Then it's on to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In the equine barn at the Large Animal Clinic, Carson stops to visit with 4th year veterinary student, James Synowsky, and one of his patients, that is receiving intravenous medicine.



Then it's on to the Food Animal barn where Carson sees a goat with a urinary stone, Dolly the Cow and her roaming rumen and a special surprise. Sarah Gordon, a 2nd year veterinary student, has a newborn lamb that was too weak to stand and nurse. Hope is being bottle fed and receiving physical therapy to strengthen her legs. Carson takes a turn feeding Hope.



From there Carson moves on to equine surgery where she gets a real treat! Heather Akridge, 4th year veterinary student on equine surgery rotation, arranged for two veterinary technicians to''gown up'' Carson and take her inside the surgery suite where a horse is having cancerous tumors removed from its head.



From there the tour moves to the Small Animal Clinic to visit a resident blood donor dog. Dr. Meinkoth uses her teaching stethoscope so Carson can listen to the dog's heartbeat.



The next stop is the Intensive Care Unit where Natalie Clawson, Veterinary Technician, gives a brief summary of their patients and some of the services the unit provides including 24/7 emergency veterinary care.

Moving right along, the group visits radiology. Carolyn Rodebush, veterinary x-ray technician, shows Carson digital imaging equipment and then the neat results.



Carson even gets to see a St. Bernard being prepped for a look inside!



And a dog that is having an ultrasound to help veterinarians determine what is causing its upset stomach.



From Radiology, Carson’s tour leaves the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and goes across the street to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, better known on campus as OADDL. Here Dr. Cathy Lamm explains the various aspects of the laboratory’s cases—everything from necropsy (animal autopsy) to virology to pathology.



Back at the Walk of Honor outside McElroy Hall, Carson and grandmother Sally stop for a photo with Dr. Evers after a full morning. A special thanks to everyone who took time to explain to our special guest how they help various animals and to Dr. Holly Evers for arranging a fun filled and educational trip to the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.