Purdue Approves Naming of New Veterinary Hospital
View of the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex construction area looking north from the site of the new David and Bonnie Brunner Equine Hospital. (photo courtesy of Pepper Construction)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPurdue University’s new $108 million veterinary hospital will be named the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex. The university says the name is in recognition of a $10 million commitment from David and Bonnie Brunner.
Purdue trustees approved the naming on Friday. David Brunner is the owner of the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic. BRAC has nine full-time veterinarians and is one of the 15% of hospitals in the U.S. accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Brunner retired as a practicing clinical veterinarian in 2012.
“As the pandemic has underscored, a state-of-the-art veterinary medicine program now not only benefits our animal population, but is an integral element in protecting human health,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “Thanks to David and Bonnie, Indiana and the nation will now have such an invaluable asset.”
The university says the 162,500-square-foot complex will include three facilities located just east of the existing Lynn Hall of Veterinary Medicine:
- The David and Bonnie Brunner Small Animal Hospital, which will add 65,000 square feet to the existing small animal hospital facilities in Lynn Hall, which amount to about 40,000 square feet.
- The David and Bonnie Brunner Equine Hospital providing 73,000 square feet of new space.
- The David and Bonnie Brunner Farm Animal Hospital amounting to 24,000 square feet and replacing facilities in the existing large animal hospital.
“Bonnie and I have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to the construction of the new veterinary medical complex,” David Brunner said. “It is our hope that this contribution will aid and inspire veterinary students, now and for years to come. I am passionate about companion animal practice and have a special interest in inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit in vet students and teaching them the art of veterinary practice and the business of veterinary medicine.”
The university says the design of the complex allows for hands-on learning and creates dedicated space for community engagement opportunities. In addition to treating animals, the hospital complex will serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research, including cancer drug discovery and the development of treatments for paralysis.
The project is expected to be completed by December and open by spring 2022.