The Hospital’s original structure was built in 1965, with various additions and upgrades added throughout the years. The most recent facility upgrades included an overhaul of the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Center and improvements to the patient entrances and waiting areas.

In addition to the HVAC system upgrades, a total of 15,000 square feet within the Hospital will be improved; nearly half of that space will be completely renovated and reconfigured. These renovations will modernize the Small Animal Clinic through improvements to student experience, patient care, and well-being for all, as well as save money on long-term costs.

“Our Hospital team has been instrumental in finding ways to maximize the impact of these funds,” says Dr. Birgit Puschner, dean for the College. “And thanks to the lead gifts we have received from generous donors, we’re able to do even more to benefit our clinical teams and students, our patients, and their families.”

The College is grateful to have received two generous lead gifts toward the programmatic renovation project from the Matilda R. Wilson Fund and Nancy L. Brookins. These gifts allow the College to leverage the MSU general funding investment for the HVAC system and provide necessary improvements to the Hospital.

The Matilda R. Wilson Fund is a long-time supporter of the College and MSU, and the College is grateful to have received this lead gift, which continues the Fund’s legacy of support for the College. “In our continued support for Michigan State University and its outstanding College of Veterinary Medicine, the Matilda R. Wilson Fund is proud to again contribute to enhancing care for animals and the education of tomorrow’s veterinarians through this important Hospital renovation,” says a representative from the Matilda R. Wilson Fund. Past generosity of the Matilda R. Wilson Fund has resulted in state-of-art facilities, annual student scholarships, two endowed chair positions, and other critical resources that support the College’s mission. The impact of the Fund’s support will be felt throughout the College for generations to come.

Nancy L. Brookins is a grateful client of the Hospital, who entrusted the care of her poodles throughout the years to its dedicated staff, most recently, her beloved dog, Minni. “Each visit, the staff far exceeded my expectations. Their treatment of Minni was unmatched and they extended the time I was able to spend with her. I miss her every minute,” says Brookins. “This donation is my way of giving back to support the amazing Hospital staff and improve facilities for beloved pets like Minni who are treated there.”

The 7,500 square feet of fully renovated space will include the following improvements:

• Modernization and improvements to the small animal wards
• Creation of a new soft tissue treatment area
• Improvements to the anesthesia and pre-surgical prep area
• Creation of an external entrance for infectious disease cases
• Creation of a double isolation space for pets with infectious diseases
• Improvements to workflow for best care practices

The remaining square footage will receive new paint, flooring, and ceilings. In addition, some areas will undergo demolition of walls to open up spaces for patient treatment and student learning. Work has already begun on this programmatic renovation project—and is being completed concurrently—with the planned $8.1 million HVAC project. Read details with artistic renderings of the proposed renovations here.

The College is seeking additional donations to fund all the Hospital’s planned improvements. Interested supporters of this capital campaign may contact the Development Office at development@cvm.msu.edu or 517-353-4937 to learn more about how they can help support patient care and veterinary medical education.