Veterinary specialty center brings millions back to community

Animal Neurology Center (ANC) officially opened its doors in its state-of-the-art facility in Creve Coeur County in St Louis, Missouri on February 14, 2025. The facility was a $3.5 million investment and is a 7,200-square-foot center providing animal care as well as educational facilities for the veterinary industry, while aiming to foster strategic partnerships with biotechnology leaders. Along with the investment back to the community through opening the center, the opening also brought 20 jobs to its local community and has the capability to host 600 veterinarians and veterinary students visiting annually.

ANC was founded by Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), a member of the dvm360 Editorial Advisory Board and a Fetch speaker, after he returned to St. Louis in order to establish the center According to a release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Wininger’s vision to create this center was ‘driven by a passion to deliver world-class care and advance the field through innovation. Wininger and the ANC team celebrated the grand opening in January 2025, the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 4, 2025, but began treating patients in December 2024.

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFCP-V, and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, all attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at Animal Neurology Center (Image courtesy of Adam Christman, DVM, MBA)

“Our hospital is dedicated exclusively to diseases of the brain and spine, which allows us to focus intensely on our area of specialized expertise. But we are more than just a hospital. While providing compassionate care and offering clear communication and support for our clients are at the heart of what we do, our mission is also driven by a commitment to teaching the next generation of veterinary professionals,” expressed Wininger.1

“We have allied ourselves with companies that traditionally focus on human medical care. Companies like Siemens Healthineers, Karl Storz Endoscopy, and Zoetis recognize the expectation that pet parents want medical capabilities commensurate with what they would receive themselves. They have recognized the ANC as a center of excellence and an opportunity to advance human and veterinary medicine together,” he continued.

Built on 3 pillars of compassionate care, education, and industry collaboration, ANC is committed to provide empathetic care to those who seek care for their pets at the facility. Along with its clinical services, the facility is opening its doors to veterinary students by offering clinical rotations, running a residency program through the University of Missouri, and hosting seminars for practitioners. ANC will also work with industry leaders to make sure the use of cutting-edge technology and drive innovation in the veterinary industry.1

“We’re pleased to see an innovative employer like The Animal Neurology Center establishing and creating jobs in the St. Louis area,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “This company’s success is a testament to our state’s ability to support entrepreneurs and innovators. We congratulate The Animal Neurology Center on its opening as it joins a long list of world-class, Missouri-made employers.”

Jobs are being added as part of the Animal Neurology Center’s new location and will pay ‘an average wage well above the county average.’¹ ANC will also benefit from the Missouri Works program which is a tool to help companies retain workers and expand by giving access to capital through tax credits or withholdings for the creation of jobs

dvm360’s chief veterinary officer Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, recently attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and interviewed Wininger on site! You can check out that interview on dvm360’s Instagram account.

Reference

The Animal Neurology Center establishes in Creve Coeur, investing $3.5 million and creating 20 new jobs. News release. Missouri Department of Economic Development. February 14, 2025. Accessed April 10, 2025. https://ded.mo.gov/press-room/animal-neurology-center-establishes-creve-coeur-investing-35-million-and-creating-20-new