Downing visits site of future vet college at Rocky Vista University

Montana’s first veterinary medicine college is aiming to open its doors in the summer of 2027.

On Wednesday morning, U.S. Rep. Troy Downing toured the college’s future home on the campus of Rocky Vista University to speak with university leadership and tour the facility.

At RVU, students will have opportunities to explore career paths treating large and small animals.

Most small animal education will take place on the college’s campus on the city’s West End. Opportunities for large animal education, primarily cattle and horses, will occur on a ranch the university purchased south of Billings.

The program is still in the process of receiving its accreditation through the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education and hopes to enroll approximately 125 students in its first class.

“It’s awesome. I always tell people we have so much opportunity for developing talent,” Downing said. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for training highly skilled occupations right here and hopefully convincing them to stay in Montana after they graduate.”