Tufts Vet School Announces Renovation

Courtesy photo An artist's rendering shows how the Foster Hospital for Small Animals will appear when a $68 million renovation and expansion is complete.

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By Emily Micucci

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton has announced plans to renovate and expand its teaching hospitals through a $68 million project.

The initial phase includes an $8 million renovation of the Foster Hospital for Small animals, as well as a small portion of the Hospital for Large Animals. A master plan includes a comprehensive, $60 million project consisting of a more extensive renovation and expansion of both hospitals.

Under the master plan, Tufts plans to add improved small animal exam rooms, treatment areas and ward space, and a new office wing to support collaborative faculty research. This includes plans to construct treatment rooms for specialty services in ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology and dermatology.

“This project is necessary so that we can continue to provide the high level of service that our clients have come to expect — the kind of care that inspires families to bring their pets to us and veterinarians to make referrals here,” said Deborah Kochevar, dean of the Cummings School.

According to Tufts, the patient load at the Foster Hospital has more than doubled since it opened in 1985, to 26,000 animals per year. By increasing patient exam rooms from 16 to 20 under the project, Tufts said it will be better able to handle the volume of patients it treats.

Construction will begin when the $8 million for the initial phase has been raised, according to Tufts. More detail on the project and information on a capital campaign to support it is available at vet.tufts.edu/renovation. ter Hospital, which is open 24 hours each day, will remain open during construction.