Image: VIPs with the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine and BHS Construction cut the ribbon for the newly expanded small animal surgery center. From left: James Roush, Elizabeth Davis, both from K-State; A.J. Devlin, BHS; Walter Renberg, Nathaniel Kapaldo, David Rankin, all from K-State; and Tyler Havens, BHS./Image courtesy K-State

Nearly 50 years after its original construction, Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center has completed a major renovation and expansion of its small animal surgery center. The project, carried out through coordinated efforts among university leaders, architects, and builders, enhances both the hospital’s surgical capabilities and its role in veterinary education.

The update transformed the facility from three small operating rooms into five larger ones, supported by centralized induction and recovery areas designed to improve efficiency. The renovation also included upgrades to the ophthalmologic surgery suite and improvements to workspaces for veterinary nurses, all aimed at strengthening patient care and advancing the center’s teaching mission.

During the nine-month construction period, from November 2024 to August 2025, small animal surgical services were temporarily relocated to Mosier Hall. Thanks to the flexibility of faculty and staff, the Veterinary Health Center continued to provide uninterrupted care throughout the transition.

The expanded and modernized surgical center is expected to improve patient outcomes, accommodate a wider variety of cases, and better support the training of future veterinary professionals.