The Future of Veterinary Medicine Is Being Built at Colorado State University
The future of veterinary medicine isn’t theoretical. It’s under construction.
Colorado State University is entering the final phase of building its new Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex (VHEC), a 213,000-square-foot facility on the university’s South Campus that is set to open this spring. And it’s more than just a building — it’s a statement about where the profession is headed.
Beginning this fall, all CSU veterinary students will train in the new complex, marking the start of a bold transformation in how veterinarians are educated, supported, and prepared for practice.
A New Standard for Veterinary Education
The new facility will serve as the home of veterinary education at CSU and will include a new primary care service where faculty and students will manage general practice cases. Expanded services will include emergency and urgent care, critical care, dentistry, ophthalmology, and pharmacy, all integrated into a cohesive learning and clinical environment.
Together with the existing veterinary hospital, the combined system will now operate as the Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex (VHEC). In addition, a modern livestock hospital equipped for medical, surgical, and ambulatory large animal care will also open this spring, addressing both current and future demand.
“This project pushes the boundaries of veterinary medical education and will set up an exceptional professional learning environment for decades to come,” said Dr. Sue VandeWoude, dean of CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Her message is clear: this isn’t just an expansion. It’s a reset.
A Curriculum Built for Real-World Practice
The opening of VHEC coincides with a comprehensive redesign of CSU’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) curriculum. The goal? To prepare graduates who are confident, practice-ready, and equipped to navigate an increasingly complex profession.
The updated curriculum emphasizes:
Team-based learning
Early and consistent hands-on training
Emotional well-being and resilience
Broader career pathway exploration
Dr. Melinda Frye, associate dean for veterinary academic and student affairs, led the curriculum overhaul. She notes that while most graduates enter clinical practice, today’s veterinarians serve in expanding roles across advocacy, policy, conservation, animal welfare, and public health.
“The new curriculum will help students explore these wide-ranging careers and prepare our D.V.M. graduates for this dynamic landscape no matter what path they choose,” Frye said.
In other words, CSU isn’t just training clinicians — it’s training leaders.
Addressing the Veterinary Shortage
One of the most impactful elements of the project is expansion. CSU will increase enrollment by 30 students per D.V.M. class, bringing total class size to 180. At a time when the United States faces a well-documented shortage of veterinary care, particularly in rural and underserved areas, this growth matters.
Expanded clinical space within VHEC means students will gain more robust experiential learning while also increasing access to routine and life-saving care for local and regional communities.
It’s a dual investment: in students and in public access to veterinary medicine.
What This Means for the Profession
The Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex represents a broader shift happening across veterinary medicine:
Integration of primary care and specialty services
Greater focus on wellness and team culture
Increased clinical exposure during training
Recognition of non-traditional veterinary career paths
Expansion to meet workforce demands
As veterinary medicine grapples with burnout, workforce shortages, and rising public demand for care, institutions like CSU are signaling that infrastructure and curriculum must evolve alongside the profession.
The VHEC is not just about square footage. It’s about redefining how veterinarians are trained — and supported — for decades to come.
If this is what the future looks like, veterinary medicine is stepping into it with intention.
