(AP) - The Illinois Department of Agriculture says students from the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine will help care for animals at the state fair. A release form the department on Wednesday calls the fair a good chance for students to work with large animals. Agriculture director Philip Nelson said the number of people practicing large-animal medicine is in decline.
State Veterinarian Mark Ernst is a graduate of the University of Illinois and said he's excited to work with students form his alma mater. Veterinarians from the department and the university will work with the students at the fair. More than 2,100 animals were exhibited at the 2014 Illinois State Fair. This year's edition of the fair in Springfield runs from Aug. 13 to Aug. 23.
