A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Nov. 17 to celebrate the impending opening of the new Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine, located in Lexington, Ky.
Planning for the new equine hospital began in 2007 after Bill Bernard, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, formerly of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, saw the need for an elective surgery facility in the Central Kentucky area. Now, three years later, the facility is nearing completion and hopes to open its doors in the near future.
"We will do elective surgeries," Bernard said. "We won't be doing emergency surgeries, and most of our patients will go home the same day, or shortly after."
This is the fourth facility of its kind in the nation, according to Wes Sutter, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Bernard's business partner and a progressive orthopedic surgeon.
The state-of-the-art surgery center includes nine patient stalls, three padded recovery stalls, radiology facilities, two operating rooms, and a standing surgery room. Unlike in many equine hospitals, clients will be able to observe their horses in surgery via windows from the waiting area into the preparation and surgery suites.
Bernard says that the long-term goal is to have Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine be a part of an equine business park. There is currently an equine pharmacy next to the new surgery center.
Speakers at the ribbon cutting included University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr. and Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry.
Disclaimer: Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.
