Philippe Cousteau Jr. (center), grandson of legendary ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, gave the keynote address at the opening session of the 2011 AVMA Annual Convention. Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., the event was presented in a lively talk show-style format.The Saint Louis Zoo was the ideal venue for the American Veterinary Medical Foundation charity event with Nestlé Purina as the premier sponsor. After feasting, attendees roamed the zoo grounds, home to nearly 18,000 animals, including a playful orangutan.Jay Mohr brought the funny to the AVMA Sunday Night Live comedy event sponsored by Bayer Animal Health.Dr. Bernard Vallat, director general of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); Professor Jean-François Chary, inspector general of the French Ministry of Agriculture and president of the Vet2011 Animation and Coordination Committee; Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA CEO; and Dr. Larry M. Kornegay, 2010-2011 AVMA president, raised a toast at the World Veterinary Year Reception.Hundreds of people wended their way through scenic Forest Park for the AVMA Trails for Tails 5K Walk/Run, sponsored by Abbott Animal Health and MyVeterinarian.com. Proceeds went to St. Louis-area animal shelters and animal welfare programs of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.The educational program at the AVMA Annual Convention offered more than 600 sessions, including the ever-popular interactive labs.The AVMA Live town hall meetings held in the exhibit hall offered a forum for dialogue about the Association and the veterinary profession.Grammy-nominated Plain White T's were the headliners for the 5th Annual AVMA/Merial Concert. Fans clustered around the stage as the indie band from Chicago belted out "Hey There Delilah," "1, 2, 3, 4," "Take Me Away," and other hits.Dr. Rachel Tapp, a small animal practitioner from Rock Hill, S.C., helped out by walking dogs at Stray Animal Rescue of St. Louis as part of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation's fourth annual voluntourism event, sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.Kelley Rohlfing Marchbanks, University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine development officer, won the AVMA's Got Talent contest with a rousing performance of "Defying Gravity" from the Broadway musical "Wicked."
(Photos by Matt Alexandre/Robb Cohen Photography, R. Scott Nolen, and Malinda Larkin)
