501(c)3 Status

Iowa Veterinary Specialties 501(c)(3) Status
May 15, 2012, Updated 5/18/2015

Why did Iowa State University purchase Iowa Veterinary Specialties?

The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine recognized a prime opportunity to further strengthen veterinary education and medicine in Iowa when Iowa Veterinary Specialties shareholders approached ISU about an acquisition.

With the investment in Iowa Veterinary Specialties, ISU ensured emergency and specialty care for companion animals in central Iowa while serving our veterinary students with larger and more diverse numbers of clinical experiences, including several specialty areas and working in a private practice in a large metropolitan area that is open 24 hours daily, year-round.

Students receive educational training from Iowa Veterinary Specialties' veterinarians and staff plus ISU College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, all of whom provide hands-on teaching opportunities to ensure our graduates are among the best in the nation.

IVS is operated through a university affiliate, ISU-Veterinary Services Corporation (ISU-VSC). The combined expertise of ISU’s Hixon Lied Small Animal Hospital, Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (teaching hospital) and Iowa Veterinary Specialties represents the most comprehensive offering of veterinary care services and education anywhere in Iowa.

Why did Iowa Veterinary Specialties’ status change to a 501(c)(3)?

Iowa State University’s business decision to change Iowa Veterinary Specialties’ status to a not-for-profit corporation is based on the clinic’s educational focus.

Just as with all veterinary clinics and for-profit corporations, there are significant costs incurred in running a business. Iowa Veterinary Specialties is focused on providing high-quality emergency and specialty care for pets. Its not-for-profit tax status doesn’t mean Iowa Veterinary Specialties is a charity; rather, the organization operates for public purposes, not for private gain. Any net revenues can be used to improve veterinary services for clients and enhance the practice of veterinary medicine in Iowa.