Colorado State University Receives $10 Million Gift to Advance Veterinary Cardiac Care

Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) in Fort Collins has announced a transformative $10 million gift from the Don Lockton Family Foundation to support the development of the Don Lockton Family Heart Center. This funding, distributed over five years, will enable major renovations, acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, and recruitment of leading veterinary cardiology specialists, significantly expanding the college’s cardiac care capabilities.

The donation builds on a previous $2 million contribution from Don Lockton in 2021, which established the Chief Lockton Compassionate Care Fund. Named for the family’s Great Dane, Chief, who received life-saving cardiac surgery at CSU, the fund has already supported more than 20 cardiac procedures for families unable to afford treatment, demonstrating a commitment to accessible, high-quality veterinary care.

Brian Scansen, head of the CVMBS cardiology service, emphasized the significance of the gift: “Somebody cares enough about pets and what they mean to their families to give at this level. Others may look at this and say, that’s a lot of money just to help dogs, but I would argue that is why this gift is so amazing.”

Don Lockton reflected on his own experience during Chief’s cardiac crisis: “The whole time, I was thinking to myself, ‘I am so lucky that I am able to come out here and pay for this.’ I don’t want anybody to be in the position I was in and not have the resources to fix it.”

For veterinary professionals, the establishment of the Don Lockton Family Heart Center represents a major advancement in specialized cardiac care, offering both cutting-edge clinical training and expanded treatment options for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. The investment underscores the growing importance of veterinary cardiology as a critical component of comprehensive animal health care.