Lyon College breaks ground on veterinary school in Cabot

CABOT – Lyon College officials, state and local leaders, and members of the Arkansas veterinary medicine community broke ground today on the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine in Cabot, marking a significant step in the college’s expansion into graduate health sciences and its effort to address Arkansas’s shortage of veterinarians.
The 17.5-acre Cabot campus includes both the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine and Cabot Animal Support Services. The veterinary school will occupy 14 acres of the site and feature more than 100,000 square feet of educational and clinical space.
Plans include classrooms, laboratories, surgical suites, simulation centers, spaces for large and small animal medicine, and areas for student collaboration. A veterinary teaching hospital will be housed in the same building as Cabot Animal Support Services to allow for integrated learning and service delivery.
Victor Werley, chair of the Lyon College Board of Trustees, said the new veterinary school reflects the college’s commitment to meeting statewide needs through bold and mission-driven innovation.
“Arkansas has long needed a veterinary school,” Werley said. “This school allows Lyon College to serve the state in a new and lasting way while remaining true to our values of academic excellence, service and leadership. We are proud to support a program that will improve lives, strengthen communities and extend Lyon’s legacy for generations to come.”
“We know there is a pressing need for more veterinarians across Arkansas—particularly in rural and underserved areas,” said Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College. “This veterinary school will be a place of innovation and compassion, where students gain the technical knowledge and character needed to meet the challenges of modern veterinary care.”
Founding Dean Dr. Eleanor Green, a national leader in veterinary education, said the program is designed with both purpose and impact in mind.
“We’re not just building a school—we’re building a mission that prepares veterinarians to serve both rural and urban communities, protect public health, and elevate animal welfare with both skill and heart,” Green said.
The City of Cabot is a key partner in the project, providing key support to bring the vision to life. Officials say the development will generate jobs, attract families and expand access to animal care services.

“The Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine will be a transformative presence in our community,” said Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade. “It will bring students and families here, grow our city, create jobs, and provide a hub of care for animals across the region. This is more than a building—it’s a leap forward for Cabot and for Arkansas.”
The facility will also include the Katharine Reese Shelter Medicine and Animal Welfare Program, funded by an $11 million gift from the Arkansas Animal Rescue Foundation, which will expand access to shelter medicine services and give students hands-on experience with real-world animal health needs.
“This partnership means our shelter will evolve into something far greater: a living classroom, a community hub and a model for how shelter medicine can work hand-in-hand with education,” said Mike Wheeler, director of community services for the City of Cabot. “Our animals will receive expert care. Our staff will gain access to valuable veterinary support. And our city will play a central role in training the next generation of veterinary leaders.”
State and local leaders, including Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Rep. Brian Evans and state Sen. Ricky Hill, both of Cabot, Lonoke County Judge Doug Erwin, Maggie Milligan with the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, joined Lyon College and city officials at the site to celebrate what they called a turning point for Arkansas veterinary medicine.
Dr. Ashley Mounts, associate dean for clinical programs and outreach at the veterinary school, recognized Founding Clinical Partners Briarwood Animal Hospital, Central Arkansas Animal Hospital, Doubletree Veterinary Clinic, Hillcrest Animal Hospital, Honey Hill Animal Hospital, Landmark Animal Hospital, Pine Street Animal Clinic, Shackleford Road Veterinary Clinic and White River Veterinary Clinic.
“As a practitioner, I know how important it is to have graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also prepared to hit the ground running in a real-world clinical setting,” said Dr. Chad Towns of Honey Hill Animal Hospital. “That’s what this partnership is all about. We’re here to provide those practical experiences, to mentor students, and to help shape a program that reflects the realities and responsibilities of veterinary care today.”
Pending accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine plans to seat its inaugural class in 2026.
Lyon College also will open the state’s first dental school on June 30. Located in Little Rock, the dental school is part of Lyon College’s broader effort to expand access to healthcare education in the region. The program is designed to prepare practice-ready dentists through a rigorous three-year curriculum, hands-on clinical training and a commitment to community service.