Tennessee Aquarium Announces $5 Million Animal Hospital in Chattanooga
An architectural rendering visualizes the Tennessee Aquarium’s new, $5 million on-site animal hospital. This state-of-the-art, 3,000-square-foot facility in the River Journey Building is under construction and is slated to open in June 2027. Graphic Courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium.
In The Know with Gino…
The Tennessee Aquarium is making a major investment in animal health with plans for a new $5 million veterinary hospital designed to improve care for its animals and train the next generation of veterinary professionals.
The Aquarium announced the new facility and an expanded veterinary program earlier this week. The 3,100-square-foot hospital will be located on the mezzanine level of the River Journey building and is expected to open in June 2027.
The hospital will feature upgraded medical equipment, including a new X-ray system, a CT scanner, endoscopes and specialized dental equipment. The facility will also include dedicated spaces for surgery, medical imaging, treatment and recovery.
The expanded program will build on the Aquarium’s 34 years of experience in aquatic animal health while creating new training opportunities for veterinary students. Through partnerships with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and Chattanooga State Community College, students will gain hands-on experience treating aquatic and exotic animals, including rare freshwater species.
The Aquarium also plans to offer internships, fellowships and residency opportunities, along with collaborative research focused on freshwater conservation, watershed health and animal care.
According to Aquarium leaders, the goal is to share that expertise beyond Chattanooga and help advance aquatic animal medicine around the world.
The new hospital will support care for the Aquarium’s approximately 13,000 resident animals, while the knowledge gained through its training and research programs could ultimately benefit millions of animals elsewhere.
The Tennessee Aquarium animal health team includes (from left) Veterinary Assistant Shelby Ferguson, Conservation Veterinarian Dr. Leah Owens, Director of Animal Health Dr. Chris Keller, Collections Veterinarian Dr. Courtney Pace and Hospital Manager Kristen Hales. Photo Courtesy of Tennessee Aquarium.
For more information about the veterinary program or to support the new hospital, visit tnaqua.org/care.
SOURCE: Tennessee Aquarium
