Iowa State to purchase specialty practice

DES MOINES, IOWA — Iowa State University (ISU) is buying a veterinary emergency hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, for nearly $4.6 million.

In fact, the university's Board of Regents gave the veterinary college the green light to purchase the Animal Emergency Clinic/Iowa Veterinary Specialties, a 7,200-square-foot practice that houses a 24-hour emergency facility and a surgical and internal medicine specialty practice.

"Ownership of IVS will create an avenue for translating clinical research into practice," ISU says in its proposal for the purchase to the Board of Regents. "It also offers a unique venue for the College of Veterinary Medicine to enhance continuing education for the veterinarians, technicians and animal owners of the greater Des Moines community."

The proximity of the specialty practice to ISU's Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center will enhance collaboration between the two locations.

The specialty practice serves rather than competes with other veterinary practices around Des Moines, ISU reports.

The purchase will be paid for using about $3 million in trust proceeds and a $1.5 million loan.