More than a lab: How the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory supports animals, agriculture and public health

The University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) is not merely an animal clinic or hospital; it is a highly specialized operation that combines science with necessity.

Lexington, Ky.—The University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL), situated at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is more than the name might imply. The facility goes beyond just research. It is an all-encompassing and essential institution for Kentucky’s agriculture, veterinary practice, student education and public health.  

While its full role may often go unnoticed, its impact is felt daily by those in agriculture and the general public in Kentucky and beyond. 

Craig Carter, the lab’s director, says UKVDL’s core mission remains simple: protect animal and human health. 

“This laboratory is a highly specialized operation where science meets necessity,” Carter said. “Tens of thousands of specimens are harvested by animal owners and veterinarians from all over Kentucky to conduct cutting-edge, medical diagnostic testing.”