Animal Planet has ordered veterinary school reality show, “Life at Vet U,” TheWrap has learned.
The six-part series will take viewers behind the scenes at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) as six students work towards graduation. For the show, Animal Planet was granted access to the college’s two internationally renowned teaching hospitals: Ryan Hospital for companion animals and New Bolton Center hospital for large animals.
Known as a global leader in veterinary education, research and clinical care, Penn Vet challenges its students with daily high-stress, fast-paced situations and gives them the opportunity to receive rigorous training and feedback from some of the top pioneers in veterinary medicine, per the Discovery-owned cable channel. From the intricate work of cataract surgery, to a stallion collection for artificial insemination and watching animal and human doctors join forces, each student gets the hands-on experience they need to one day tackle these cases on their own.
Both personal and professional relationships evolve and life-changing moments alter their worlds forever, but these students know it is all worth it in the end when they proudly walk across the graduation stage and get to call themselves doctors.
Penn Vet is equipped with some of the most advanced technology in the industry and sees nearly 40,000 patient visits a year. With patients ranging from dogs and cats, to horses, cows and zebras, the students are constantly challenged to be prepared for anything they will encounter in their careers – whether it be castrations, births, surgeries or routine checkups. As graduation approaches, the students brace themselves for the most important day of their career – Match Day – which determines if they have been placed in a coveted internship. Do they get placed at their dream hospital, or do they have to scramble to even find a placement?
Watch a teaser above, which is also exclusive to TheWrap.
“Life at Vet U” debuts Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.