PASSION BECOMES A PRACTICE FOR FUTURE VETERINARIANS AS ANIMAL PLANET PREMIERES "LIFE AT VET U"

-- The Six-Part Series Premieres Saturday, October 1 at 10 PM ET/PT --

(Silver Spring, Md. - August 26, 2016) Animal Planet takes viewers behind the scenes of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) as six students embark on a journey to graduation - the culmination of four intense, but rewarding, years of never-ending studying, round-the-clock rotations and unpredictable cases. With unprecedented access to the school's two internationally renowned teaching hospitals - Ryan Hospital for companion animals and New Bolton Center hospital for large animals - LIFE AT VET U gives an exclusive look at the grit and grind it takes to make it in this highly competitive world. The six-part series premieres Saturday, October 1 at 10 PM ET/PT.

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. From the intricate work of cataract surgery, to a stallion collection for artificial insemination, each student gets the hands-on experience they need to one day tackle these cases out in the real world. Both personal and professional relationships evolve amid life-changing moments for both student and animal, but it's all worth it in the end at graduation when they get to call themselves veterinarians.

Penn Vet is equipped with some of the most advanced technology in the industry and sees nearly 40,000 patients a year. From dogs and cats, to horses, cows and zebras, the students are constantly challenged to be prepared for anything - whether it be spaying and neutering, 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?

From lifelong dreams to work with animals, to the courageous decision to completely change a career path, LIFE AT VET U follows each student on the road to becoming a veterinarian. It is a personal journey, but the underlying drive for each of them is the same - a passion to improve the lives of animals.