Texas A&M Stevenson Center Opens New Expansion To Support Care Of Resident Pets
The Texas A&M Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center and approximately 55 supporters and friends celebrated the grand opening of its newest facility expansion on Oct. 26.
A unique facility within the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), the Stevenson Center provides a home for companion animals whose owners have passed away or otherwise have become unable to care for their beloved pets.
Since it was first established in 1993, the center has cared for 166 pets, including Texas A&M’s former mascots Reveille VIII and Reveille IX.
“The Stevenson Center is a truly unique place. When visitors walk in the front doors and are greeted by Reveille IX, they know that they’re in for a special experience,” said Dr. John R. August, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M. “That is true not only for visitors and companion animals who live at the center but also for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students who work side by side with the center’s five full-time staff members to ensure that the pets living there receive the highest quality of care in the most comfortable environment.”
The center has now undergone three expansions to provide for an increasing number of enrolled pets.
“The DVM students who reside at the center play an integral role in caring for the 35 dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds — as well as the two donkeys — who currently call the Stevenson Center home,” August said. “The rare opportunity to live at the center also creates a special bond between our dedicated students and the pets that become their companions and ‘roommates.’”
The newest expansion, for which construction began in the fall of 2023, adds an additional 4,700 square feet, bringing the facility’s total area to 16,000 square feet.
“Since the timing of future pets’ arrival is an unknown, we strive to be prepared,” said Ellie Greenbaum, the center’s associate director. “We are excited to have more room for our future enrolled pets, and our current resident pets will also benefit from the new addition.”
The new expansion includes five new dog rooms with individual play yards, three cat rooms with their own sunrooms, a food preparation room, a laundry room, an additional restroom, and a lounge for staff and resident pets.
“We have seen significant growth over the past 30 years, which is a testament to the vision of Dr. (Ned) Ellett (former head of the Texas A&M Small Animal Clinic), the continued support of the university, and all the pet owners who believe in our mission and have supported our efforts,” said Dr. Sam Miller, director of the Stevenson Center. “This will allow the additional housing of 25 resident animals, bringing our total capacity to 70 and ensuring we can continue to accommodate the growth of our program and provide outstanding care for the resident animals that have come to live with us.”
“This building addition was funded by several donor endowments and private donations,” Greenbaum said. “We are extremely grateful for our donors’ appreciation and confidence in the center and our mission.”
Your financial support ensures these beloved animals receive the highest quality of life, from medical care to enrichment. For more information about the Stevenson Center, visit tx.ag/StevensonCenter, and to directly impact the center’s pet residents by purchasing items from the center’s wish list, visit tx.ag/StevensonCenterWish. For additional giving information, contact the Office of Development at 979-845-9043 or email development-vmbs@tamu.edu.
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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
