The Aquarium is building a $5 million animal hospital with a CT scanner in the River Journey building, due to open in June 2027, and will train UT and Chattanooga State students.

The Tennessee Aquarium is building a $5 million animal hospital inside its River Journey building downtown. It is due to open in June 2027.

The Aquarium announced the hospital Tuesday as part of a wider veterinary program, according to its Oct. 27 news release. The program includes training places for veterinary students from the University of Tennessee and Chattanooga State Community College.

What the hospital will have

The hospital will fill the whole mezzanine level of the River Journey building. The release puts it at 3,100 square feet. It will have:

  • an updated X-ray and a computed tomography (CT) scanner
  • endoscopes and dental equipment made for animals
  • a large central treatment room, with imaging, surgery and recovery rooms around it
  • a separate necropsy area, labs, offices and a reference library

Many of the new tools can be moved, the Aquarium said. That lets vets treat animals too big to bring to the hospital beside their exhibits. The Aquarium cares for about 13,000 animals.

Architectural rendering of the Tennessee Aquarium's planned animal hospital interior, with a treatment area and medical equipment.
An architect's rendering of the new animal hospital in the River Journey building. Image: Tennessee Aquarium.

Training for students

The Aquarium said it will offer recurring externships, fellowships and internships. Under the partnership:

  • University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville: half of all future Aquarium veterinary externships are reserved for its fourth-year students. The partnership also covers one-year internships, one- to three-year fellowships and three- to four-year residencies.
  • Chattanooga State Community College: students in its Veterinary Technology Program will work at the Aquarium as externs, with a focus on aquatic and exotic species. The Aquarium plans to hire one of the first group full time once they earn their associate degree.

“In the next 10 years, through this program, we could have 50, 75, 100 veterinarians that have spent time at the Tennessee Aquarium,” Director of Animal Health Chris Keller said.

“This is about us putting a flag in the ground that aquatic animal medicine should be shared with all,” Aquarium President and CEO Andy Wood said.

Chattanooga State President Rebecca Ashford said the work will “set them apart from graduates of other programs.”

A bigger animal health team

The Aquarium has already added staff ahead of the hospital. Its animal health team is now:

  • Director of Animal Health Chris Keller
  • Conservation Veterinarian Leah Owens
  • Collections Veterinarian Courtney Pace
  • Hospital Manager Kristen Hales
  • Veterinary Assistant Shelby Ferguson

The Chattanooga State hire would make six.

What it means for you

  • The Aquarium stays open during the work. The release does not say any exhibits will close. Check tnaqua.org for hours before you go.
  • Students: UT veterinary students and Chattanooga State vet tech students can ask their programs about the new Aquarium placements.
  • Donors: the Aquarium is raising money for the hospital through its veterinary hospital page. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

For more downtown visits, see things to do in Chattanooga and our things to do this month list.