It’s been almost a decade since planning for renovations began at the teaching hospitals of the College of Veterinary Medicine and now, after an investment of nearly $100 million, the hospitals are complete and fully operational.

Dr. Lisa Nolan, dean of Vet Med, said in order to teach the next generation of veterinarians, the college needs to maintain a teaching hospital that provides cutting edge services. This way, students are learning the best practices from the best faculty teaching in state of the art facilities — facilities human hospitals would be envious of.

Both small and large animal hospitals of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center were renovated. Each have top of the line technology, including MRI and CT scan instruments, digital cameras, plasma screens and two-way mirrors.

Upgrades were made to the large animal hospital due to the overwhelming caseload. The small animal hospital more than doubled in size to improve crowded conditions for employees, students and patients.

Previously, the hospital only had 14 exam rooms. Now, the hospital hosts 22 exam rooms, completely eliminating wait time students formerly experienced.

“It’s a big deal,” Nolan said. “Before, our facilities were crowded, and it was hard to see something when it was being demonstrated. Now, you can get around a table better, or probably get it displayed on a big screen as well. …It’s just a much better learning environment.”

Not only is the increased space helpful for overcrowding, but the design of the building now has much better flow. The hospital’s exam rooms, separated specialty rooms, quiet rooms, and the waiting area surround the ICU and surgery suites.

“I just love how everything is connected,” said Crystal Cooley, fourth-year Vet Med student. “Everything is put together very well and is very easy to find. … Overall in general they did a good job of planning the layout of the way things flow.”

Cooley also expressed her appreciation for the beauty of the new hospital. She said clients really value the new entrance, as it is very beautiful and obvious, unlike the original entrance, which was harder to find.

Dr. Bianca Zaffarano, clinician at Vet Med, said the facilities are gorgeous.

“They are refreshing and uplifting,” Zaffarano said. “It’s so nice when you work in a place that is pleasant. … Before, it was like a cave. Being inside without a window was a little bit depressing.”

Now, each employee’s office is equipped with a window, letting in much better, refreshing light.

Since the renovations, all faculty members have been relocated to one building together. Zaffarano said this really facilitated communication and collaboration.

“I think we are better situated to greet the public and put on a much better professional experience,” Zaffarano said. “A lot of faculty here has a renewed energy and vigor.”

Nolan said it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to work in a state of the art facility.

“It’s an inspirational building,” Nolan said. “People know they can do their very best work here.”

Nolan explained that Iowa State has some of the greatest veterinarians in the world: They could be a lot of places, but they choose to be here to bring high quality care and high quality education to the community.”

There are only 28 veterinary colleges in the United States, and Iowa is lucky to have one. Nolan said she hopes each student and faculty member on campus can be proud of the new facilities.

“It’s a claim to fame for Iowa State University in my opinion,” Nolan said.