DRE Vet Partners with the Nashville Zoo

DRE Vet is on a mission to move animal healthcare forward, which is why we partnered with the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere to provide medical equipment and services for the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center.

The new veterinary center opened its doors in 2019. The center replaced a 30-year-old facility, which was unable to offer the space and resources needed to effectively serve the zoo’s 3,000 animals. The center’s small size prohibited the addition of new and needed staff members. Furthermore, the facility was too small to house the large equipment necessary to treat animals weighing more than 250 lbs. These frustrating limitations diminished the level of patient care the zoo could provide. So, when the opportunity for a new center presented itself, the veterinary staff wanted to make sure these issues were addressed to create the best environment for their animals. Forming a partnership with DRE Vet was the first step toward reaching that goal. 

Having worked with numerous veterinary facilities including zoos, aquariums, universities, and clinics, DRE was able to guide the Nashville Zoo through the build out of their new facility. DRE representatives collaborated with the veterinary staff to develop their equipment list and to design a strategic layout for the equipment that would be housed in the new facility.

“The company was amazing to work with,” stated Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Heather Schwartze. “They kept us organized and on track regarding hospital equipment purchasing.” 

 DRE also provided equipment including anesthesia machines, an electrosurgical/cautery unit, an endoscopy tower system, infusion pumps, and veterinary monitors, to name a few. 

The new clinic can now effectively serve all its animals no matter the size including an eland, or African hoofstock, that recently required surgery. 

“It was a great success and testament to our advanced care. We could have never done this procedure before. We did not have the space for the animals or the equipment prior to opening this hospital,” Dr. Schwartze commented on the surgery. 

Visitors can view medical procedures like this through the center’s operating theaters. Visitors are also encouraged to attend a group tour of the facility. 

Today, the Nashville Zoo’s veterinary center, and subsequently its animals, are thriving.  This partnership formed by DRE is one of many designed to move animal healthcare forward.

For more information about DRE Vet, contact us at (800) 979-6795 or visit avantevet.com.

DRE Vet is moving animal healthcare forward. As a comprehensive provider, we partner with our customers from consultation and installation to service, repair, and ongoing technical support.