Banfield Announces Grand Opening of Teaching Hospital at Western University of Health Sciences
Pomona, Calif. - 08/10/2004 -- Banfield, The Pet Hospital will host a grand opening celebration for the new temporary on-campus Banfield hospital at Western University of Health Sciences on Aug. 23. Construction for Banfield's permanent 6,000-square-foot on-campus hospital will be completed for the fall 2006 school year. In the meantime, Banfield has provided a temporary hospital to make clinical teaching facilities available. The celebration will be highlighted by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon and will include hospital tours, an all-campus barbecue, and commemorative gifts. "This is a one-of-a-kind partnership between the nation's largest private veterinary practice and the first new U.S. school of veterinary medicine in 20 years," said Banfield Chairman and CEO Scott Campbell, DVM. "By investing in the provision of high quality practical experiences for veterinary students, it is our hope that together Banfield and Western University can help produce some of the most skilled, confident and efficient new graduates in our profession." The school admitted its first class of veterinary students in August 2003, and the second class began classes this week. This new on-campus teaching hospital will be used in the curriculum for WesternU's College of Veterinary Medicine, and is being completely built with funds donated by Banfield. Banfield also will build or remodel at least four hospitals within a 30-minute drive of Western U's campus to serve as sites for clinical rotations for third- and fourth-year students. Banfield Medical Director Amy Raines, DVM, has been appointed associate professor and medical director for the WesternU hospital. Dr. Raines also will oversee the Banfield hospitals near the university, which will be used for clinical rotations. "We are all very excited to be involved in shaping the future of veterinarians," said Dr. Raines. "The faculty and staff at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine are all very talented and tremendously committed to providing the best education to these wonderful students. The Banfield doctors and team members are also very proud to be part of this new and exciting curriculum." Since 1999, Dr. Hugh Lewis, Banfield's senior vice president of practice Development and former dean of Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine, has been a part of the advisory council that assisted the college through the curriculum development process. The college's curriculum gives first- and second-year veterinary students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the on-campus Banfield hospital, actively participating in wellness examinations and preventive care treatment. Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1955, Banfield, The Pet Hospital is committed to giving pets the same medical care people expect for themselves. Practicing at Banfield offers all the challenges of an exciting veterinary career, with the ability to practice the highest quality medicine, and great financial and personal rewards. Banfield veterinarians receive medical and administrative support that allows them to spend more time with pets, access to better equipment and supplies than many practices can afford, and the opportunity to participate in a benefits program unparalleled in the veterinary industry. With 400 full- service hospitals across the country, Banfield, The Pet Hospital extends the lives of more than 2.5 million pets each year.