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.

LIFE AT VET U is produced for Animal Planet by High Noon Entertainment where Jim Berger, Scott Feeley, Sarah Presta and Michael Call serve as executive producers. For Animal Planet, Dawn Sinsel is executive producer and Meredith Russell is associate producer. This series was developed by Kurt Tondorf, vice president and head of development, and Sydney Rutman, development manager, for Animal Planet.

About Animal Planet

Animal Planet, a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the network of hit franchise series RIVER MONSTERS, PIT BULLS & PAROLEES and TREEHOUSE MASTERS and the home of provocative and award-winning specials and documentary films presented under the banner ANIMAL PLANET PRESENTS. Animal Planet's programming also includes quarterly tent pole TV events PUPPY BOWL, the largest non-sports TV on Super Bowl Sunday, and MONSTER WEEK. Animal Planet is the premiere TV, digital and social community for animal lovers and pet owners, providing immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment across all Animal Planet assets including: Animal Planet television network, available in more than 94 million homes in the US, that is complimented with a deep Video On Demand offering; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; Animal Planet L!VE, the go-to digital destination for round-the-clock, unfiltered access to the animal kingdom; Animal Planet social including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. 

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and through the Discovery Digital Networks portfolio, including TestTube, Seeker and SourceFed. Discovery owns Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.