About us

The Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) has served the community for more than a century. It is the most advanced, full-service referral care center for large and small animals in Minnesota.

Two vets with a dog on a table.

The University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center is the nation’s busiest veterinary teaching hospital, treating more than 35,000 companion and 4,000 large animal cases annually, with specialists available in all areas of medicine and surgery.

A world-renowned clinic with state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive, cutting-edge services, the Veterinary Medical Center is the state’s premier provider of top quality veterinary care. With access to the University of Minnesota’s care network, the Veterinary Medical Center focuses on enhancing the human-animal bond while providing access to outstanding patient care. 

We also provide consultation and services for veterinarians, and have trained many of Minnesota's veterinarians and veterinary medicine professionals.

More than 50 of the veterinarians on staff have undergone several years of additional training to become board-certified specialists in a particular area of veterinary medicine.

With over 16 services, state-of-the-art equipment such as a 3-T MRI, CT, and linear accelerator, and 24/7 availability, the Veterinary Medical Center is here to help with especially complicated cases.

The Veterinary Medical Center is comprised of:

Lewis Small Animal Hospital
For dogs, cats, and other companion animals

Large Animal Hospital
Treats farm animals, and occasionally, zoo animals

Piper Equine Hospital
For horses, located at the Leatherdale Equine Center 

West Metro Equine Practice
General ambulatory care in the Maple Plain area