Clinic center: Jefferson Animal Hospitals named official veterinary sponsor of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival, and other updates

In South Carolina, a referral center has doubled its footprint to expand specialty and emergency services. In Kentucky, a long-standing 24/7 hospital is deepening its ties to local sports and civic organizations. And in Georgia, a new full-service practice has opened, offering advanced surgical capabilities. Continue reading to learn more.

Charleston Veterinary Referral Center opens expanded 32,000–sq ft facility in South Carolina

Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC) has officially opened its newly expanded 32,000–sq ft specialty and emergency hospital in Charleston. The project doubles the hospital’s original footprint from 16,000 sq ft and includes 2 fully expanded lobbies with separate waiting areas for emergency and specialty services, with a feline-specific space. Other key features include a larger emergency department with a dedicated feline ward, an expanded intensive care unit (ICU) equipped with ICU cribs and custom oxygen cages, 6 surgical suites, 2 scope towers, and a 3D camera system for fine-detail neurosurgery. The facility also features 10 additional exam rooms (for a total of 19), expanded laboratory and pharmacy spaces, dedicated areas for each specialty department, multiple new patient housing areas, and increased parking capacity.

“Our expanded facility allows us to care for more patients while continuing to elevate the quality, comfort, and medical excellence our clients and referring veterinarians expect,” Holly Williams, hospital director of CVRC, said in a news release announcing the facility’s opening.¹ “Every aspect of this expansion was designed with pets, families, and our medical teams in mind.”

The expansion also includes a significantly enlarged physical rehabilitation department with 2 underwater treadmills and a separate outdoor exercise area, 2 private bereavement rooms with discreet exits for families, and a radiation oncology linear accelerator (LINAC) vault slated to open soon. CVRC says the expansion strengthen its ability to provide comprehensive 24/7 emergency and specialty care throughout the low country.

Jefferson Animal Hospitals expands community partnerships in Kentucky

Kentucky’s longest-operating 24/7 animal hospital is growing its presence in Louisville through renewed and new partnerships. Jefferson Animal Hospitals (JAH) will continue as an on-kit sponsor of Louisville City Football Club and Racing Louisville Football Club, maintain its collaboration with the Louisville Bats, and take on a new role as the official veterinary partner of the Kentucky Derby Festival.

Founded in 1978, JAH began offering 24-hour emergency care in 1980 and has remained open without interruption through holidays and even the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the decades, the hospital’s name has become familiar across the city, from the Great Balloon Race to professional sports venues. In 2025, JAH completed a major expansion of its flagship Outer Loop hospital, adding approximately 7500 sq ft to accommodate more patients and staff.

“I’m proud to work with incredible organizations that are continuously looking for ways to lift one another up in the name of improving the community in which they live and work. The community has grown so much around us, and I’d like to think each one of us has played a significant role in that,” said Adam Arrington, JAH president and son of the founders.²

Milton Animal Hospital opens in Alpharetta, Georgia

Milton Animal Hospital officially opened on February 25 in Alpharetta, Georgia, bringing full-service veterinary care to the Milton and Crabapple communities. Led by owner and medical director Forester Gholston, DVM, the hospital provides preventive care, urgent services, advanced orthopedic procedures including tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery, and senior pet care.

Additional services include preventive wellness and routine examinations, puppy and kitten care, vaccinations, dental services, urgent care, diagnostic support, pet surgery, advanced orthopedic procedures, and tailored senior pet care.

“We are proud to open a practice that blends compassionate care with the latest veterinary medicine advances,” Gholston said in a news report.³ “Our goal is to build long-lasting relationships with pets and their families, providing trusted care in every visit.”

References

1. Charleston Veterinary Referral Center officially opens newly expanded facility in 2026. News release. Charleston Veterinary Referral Center. March 4, 2026. Accessed March 4, 2026.
2. Jefferson Animal Hospitals expanding community partnerships in 2026. News release. Jefferson Animal Hospitals. February 26, 2026. Accessed March 4, 2026.
3. Milton Animal Hospital to open February 25th in Alpharetta with advanced veterinary care and special new-client offer. News release. Veterinary Practice Partners. February 24, 2026. Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.einpresswire.com/article/895205290/milton-animal-hospital-to-open-february-25th-in-alpharetta-with-advanced-veterinary-care-and-special-new-client-offer?utm_source=chatgpt.com