Over the last four decades, the UW School of Veterinary Medicine has trained more than 50 percent of the practicing veterinarians in the state of Wisconsin, and it currently serves more than 29,000 animals each year, from family pets to agricultural herds. That is a significant undertaking in a space designed for only 12,000 animals, but through generous donor support, there is a new era in veterinary medicine on the horizon.
Since breaking ground in June 2021, the Animals Need Heroes Too building expansion campaign has made major headway. Donor contributions are supporting a three-story addition connected to the original structure, offering more space for specialty services such as imaging, surgery, and oncology; providing modern instruction and collaboration space; and tripling the space dedicated to research labs. Research funding has increased by 70 percent, and through a substantial donor pledge, the Veterinary Medicine Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship Fund has created an endowed scholarship to help students from underrepresented backgrounds who wish to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
This is an exciting phase in the school’s 40-year history. Completion of the three-story addition is projected for some time in 2023, and renovations to upgrade the existing building are slated for late 2024. You can see progress on the building since July 2021 in this time-lapse video. Donor participation in this campaign has made all the difference for the future of the school.
“With these enhanced facilities, the impact that the School of Veterinary Medicine has on the state, its citizen, and their animals — as well as the world — will only continue to grow,” says Mark Markel, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.