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Angell Alumni Center

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Click on the Fund below to make a donation to a specific Alumni program/fund. All Alumni funds benefit the Angell Animal Medical Center residents, interns and/or facility.

Alumni General Fund Provides funds where the need is greatest.

The Marietta Flood Thornton Endowment Fund Provides funds for future internships.

Dr. Michael Bernstein Internship Endowment Fund Provides general support for the Angell Internship Program.

The Traynor Fund Facilitates veterinary interns at Angell in pursuit of specialized training opportunities.

The Intern Discretionary Fund Provides interns and residents an annual stipend to help cover the costs of care for patients of owners with financial constraints.

For information about Bequests and Planned Giving Programs that would benefit the Angell Animal Medical Center, call 617-541-5075.

Designed for Greater Impact

Increasing clinical capacity, expanding services, and improving access to care

Courtney Peck, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer, MSPCA-Angell West

Since opening its doors in 2014, the MSPCA-Angell West has grown into a trusted destination for advanced veterinary care in MetroWest, providing convenient access to highly skilled clinicians and board-certified specialists outside of Boston. Over the last 12 years, we have steadily expanded our services, technology, and medical expertise to meet the needs of local pet families and referring veterinarians. As we continue to grow, we are transforming an existing property in Waltham into the future home of Angell West. Slated to open in  2027, this state-of-the-art hospital will allow us to care for more patients, expand specialty services, and create new opportunities for collaboration, learning, and innovation.

At the heart of this new hospital is a commitment to increasing access to advanced veterinary medicine. With expanded clinical space, advanced technologies, and new specialty services, we will be able to provide more comprehensive care while strengthening support for both pet families and referring veterinarians throughout the region.

Rendering: The reception area at the future MSPCA-Angell West

 

Expanded Clinical Services and Capacity

The future Angell West hospital is a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. The new facility will feature significantly more exam rooms, operating rooms, and procedure spaces, allowing us to increase appointment availability, improve efficiency, and reduce wait times for patients who need specialized care.

We will also make substantial investments in advanced medical technologies and clinical resources. Plans include expanded advanced imaging capabilities, a dedicated Medical Oncology treatment space, and enhanced intensive care services, including high-flow oxygen therapy. These additions will help our medical teams diagnose conditions more quickly, deliver treatment sooner, and provide a broader range of life-saving care under one roof.

For referring veterinarians, increased clinical capacity will mean improved access to specialty consultations, more timely referrals, and greater opportunities for collaborative patient care. For pet families, it means easier access to the expertise and resources they need, bringing advanced care within reach.

The new facility will also support growth across many of our existing services. We anticipate expanding departments such as Primary Care and Internal Medicine while establishing a full-time, dedicated Cardiology team in Waltham. These enhancements will enable us to serve more patients and ensure pets receive the care they need with the urgency they deserve.

The new hospital is also designed to accommodate highly sought-after specialty services, including Medical Oncology. Bringing advanced cancer care to Angell West will allow local veterinarians and clients to access comprehensive oncology services closer to home while benefiting from coordinated, multidisciplinary treatment planning. Together, these additions will broaden the scope of care available in Waltham and further strengthen our ability to provide integrated treatment within the Angell network.

Rendering: Exam room

 

Designed for Comfort, Care, and Healing

While increasing our capacity is essential, we have been equally focused on creating a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, families, and staff.

Designed with patient comfort in mind, the hospital will feature spacious, separate wards for dogs, cats, and exotic animals, allowing us to provide species-specific care in a calmer, less stressful setting. A larger lobby will offer additional space for patients, particularly those who are reactive or experiencing distress, while an expanded parking area will improve accessibility for clients.

We are also creating dedicated spaces to support families during some of the most challenging moments of pet ownership. A private bereavement room with a separate entrance will provide a quiet, peaceful setting for end-of-life care and grieving families. These thoughtful design elements reflect our commitment to delivering not only exceptional medicine, but also compassionate care.

Rendering: Inpatient treatment area

 

Investing in the Future of Veterinary Medicine

Looking ahead, we remain committed not only to advancing patient care but also to supporting the next generation of veterinary professionals. As part of the Angell network, education, mentorship, and collaboration remain central to our mission. The new hospital will create additional opportunities for learning, professional development, and interdisciplinary teamwork, ensuring that veterinary professionals at every stage of their careers can continue to learn, grow, and thrive.

We are excited about what lies ahead for Angell West and the patients, clients, referring veterinarians, and staff we serve. This new hospital represents far more than additional space—it reflects our ongoing commitment to exceptional patient care, medical innovation, collaboration, and education. By investing in advanced clinical services, cutting-edge technology, and the people who make our work possible, we are building a stronger future for veterinary medicine and for the communities that rely on us.

Shared Traditions, Lasting Memories

A year of growth, mentorship, and connection

Douglas Brum, DVM (Intern Class of 1986)

Joel Kaye, DVM (Intern Class of 1991)

Angell Alumni Co-Directors

  

Over the last several decades, the world of veterinary medicine has significantly evolved – and with it, so has Angell Animal Medical Center. During that time, our hospital has seen it all: extensive renovations to our building; the expansion into Waltham; the addition of specialties and teams; the adoption of new technologies and techniques; and much, much more. Despite all of these changes, though, we’ve still maintained certain traditions that are quintessentially Angell, creating shared experiences and a strong sense of community among our alumni.

Since our early days at Angell, interns have always shared an office. Class after class, this communal space has served as a home away from home, a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the ER, and the backdrop to countless hours of bonding. Nowadays, in addition to the interns themselves, this office is regularly filled with their dogs, and you can hear the pitter-patter of little paws as soon as you approach the door.

Halfway through each internship, we celebrate the milestone with a time-honored “Hump Day Party.” Each year, on the night of the party, the rest of Angell’s medical staff steps up and covers for our interns, so they can take a much-deserved break from the hospital and just have fun. Thanks to the universal coverage, this “Hump Day Party” also serves as the only opportunity throughout our interns’ program for all of them to be together at the same time, in the same place, which makes it a truly momentous evening.

Also at the halfway mark, the Angell staff hosts our Intern Appreciation Day at the hospital, recognizing all of their hard work with various activities. For example, in the past, we’ve set up a piñata in the hallway outside the interns’ office, letting them all take a swing. During this time, it’s customary for them to receive their official Angell vests, which are personalized with their names. Just for the occasion, our Internship Director, Dr. Megan Whelan, and other senior ECC vets have been known to dress up in festive garb as they ceremoniously hand out each vest.

With every class, we arrange an internal mentorship system of “Bigs” and “Littles,” where we pair more experienced interns with those who are still green. We’ve found this tradition to be a mutually beneficial opportunity for growth: “Littles” have the chance to learn from someone who was recently in their shoes; “Bigs” have the chance to see how far they’ve come in their training; and everyone has the chance to develop and become more confident in their capabilities as veterinarians.

Intern Appreciation Day, Class of 2019

Prior to graduation every year, we have one last hurrah, arranging a celebratory dinner at a hotel for the entire class. During the meal, we go around the table sharing stories about our time together and giving them parting gifts to show our gratitude for all that they’ve accomplished over the last year.

Graduation Day itself is always a celebration for the whole hospital, and it includes the usual pomp and circumstance. We invite a speaker to applaud the interns, acknowledge the unique value of their experience here, and impart some last words of wisdom and inspiration. As a distinctly Angell tradition, our medical staff line up so that they can shake hands and personally congratulate all of our interns on their achievement.

While each Angell alum has their own individual experiences from their time with us, it’s incredibly special that everyone can be connected by these moments. As our hospital and field of work inevitably continue to change, these rites of passage will hopefully persevere, providing doctors with fond, shared memories for generations to come.

Hump Day Party, Intern Class of 2024
Intern Dinner, Class of 2017