CVM Cuts Ribbon on Shelter Medicine Primary Care Clinic

On May 28th, Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine took another major step in advancing veterinary care across the Magnolia State by cutting the ribbon on its new Shelter Medicine Primary Care Clinic.

“One of the things that stood out most to me during the ribbon cutting was just how many people it took to bring this clinic to life,” Shelter Medicine Program associate clinical professor Dr. Jake Shivley said. “The room was full of people from academia, industry, development, administration, IT, facilities, construction, shelter medicine and beyond, and there was so much energy and excitement surrounding what this clinic represents.”

The SMPCC will serve as a real-world learning environment for students within the college’s veterinary medicine and veterinary medical technology programs. Students will work alongside a faculty clinician and certified veterinary technologists to perform medical, surgical and dental procedures in a modular clinic that is similar to what many might see in smaller communities. It provides hands-on, high-quality experience that will allow graduates to address the ever-growing need for veterinarians across parts of rural Mississippi. 

Additionally, the clinic is committed to providing thorough care solely to canine and feline patients from animal shelters and rescue organizations across Mississippi. It expands upon the work of the Shelter Medicine Program, which was first established in 2007 and has been responsible for approximately 100,000 spay and neuter surgeries since its inception. 

“This clinic represents much more than a building,” Shivley said. “It reflects years of service, partnership, teaching and commitment to preparing students for real-world veterinary practice while serving animals and organizations across Mississippi.”

The SMPCC was made possible through gifts from individual sponsors as well as support from IDEXX, a veterinary laboratory company that provided diagnostic equipment and analyzers to the clinic. 

MSU CVM Dean Dr. Nicholas Frank expressed his gratitude to those who supported the creation of the SMPCC. 

“We greatly appreciate the donations we have received to build this clinic, and we hope others will help support this exciting new teaching and community service initiative as we begin operations,” he said. 

The SMPCC is the latest addition to the growing CVM, which recently expanded its surgery ward at the Animal Health Center and is currently building the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center, with an anticipated opening set for fall 2027.