By Deirdre Frey, VMD
When I first embarked on my journey as a veterinarian, I envisioned working at a practice centered on compassion, innovation, and deep connections with my patients and clients. However, in my early days working in general practice, I struggled to find this balance. Burnout loomed large as I juggled the demands of being both a mother and a veterinarian. I also saw many colleagues facing similar work-life balance challenges. It was a difficult time, and my dream seemed increasingly out of reach.
Despite these difficulties, I never gave up on my vision. To achieve it, I realized back in 2015 that I would need to start my own practice that would allow veterinary professionals to connect deeply with our clients and their pets, where innovation thrived, and the human-animal bond was at the forefront—all while giving us the time and space to enjoy our lives outside of work. Today, as I reflect on our journey, I am filled with pride. Although the path to success has been anything but straight, Vet At Your Door has realized this vision in ways I couldn't have imagined back then.
The landscape of veterinary medicine has changed significantly over the years. The corporatization of veterinary practices has introduced a new dynamic, with most practices now part of larger, often faceless, corporations. These corporations, while often well-meaning and ethically sound themselves, are ultimately driven by private equity firms who expect a quick return on their investment (check out this Freakonomics podcast about it). It's not uncommon for clients to be unaware that their trusted local clinic is part of a larger corporate entity. This raises questions in these practices about whether too much importance is being placed on the bottom line, at the expense of the veterinary experience. This reality contrasts sharply with our own journey and ethos.
As an independent practice, we have the freedom to innovate and adapt swiftly to the needs of our clients, patients, and staff, because put simply, we answer to no one else. Our house call service, which is exceptionally unique in its at-home, multi-doctor, multi-location, One Team Approach model, exemplifies this. The logistics of running such a practice are complex, often leaving our suppliers baffled. But these challenges are also what make us special. We’ve developed our own processes, our own client-centered approach, built our own website, managed our own marketing, and even established our very own online pharmacy—all to ensure we remain in control of our services and maintain the highest standards of care.
With these and other systems in place, our staff has the ability to focus on what they love—building connections with clients and patients, and witnessing the human-animal bond. They simply get to use their expertise and talents and they shine, using their unique personalities to create meaningful relationships which our clients and patients prize.
Our commitment to independence is more than just a business strategy; it’s a core value that permeates every aspect of our work. We are entrepreneurial at heart, constantly changing and evolving. We are essentially building the plane while we're flying it, and our staff embraces this dynamic approach with enthusiasm. They understand that to fine-tune and streamline our processes and achieve success, we must try new things constantly. This spirit of innovation and adaptability is what allows us to stay ahead and provide the best possible care for our clients and their pets, while also providing the most supportive, rewarding environment for our staff.
Speaking of staff, being independent means we can prioritize our staff's well-being. We have the power to prevent burn-out. With the help of the nature of house calls, we can ensure that our staff has the time and energy to connect deeply with our clients and their beloved pets. After all, it's this connection—the human-animal bond—that inspired so many of us to become veterinary professionals in the first place.
Personally, my journey has been one of determination. As a mother and a veterinarian, I’ve experienced burnout firsthand. I've seen too many colleagues and veterinary staff overwhelmed by the demands of the job. This practice, alongside the meaningful connections that house calls create, has been my saving grace, allowing the ability for me to balance professional fulfillment with personal well-being. It's my hope that it is the same sanctuary for everyone else who works at Vet At Your Door.
We strive to be a beacon for independent practices, proving that it is possible to create an extraordinary work environment, deliver an exceptional veterinary experience, and remain profitable. Yes, profitability is also important for us, but not because we are furiously trying to meet a short-term investment goal of a private equity firm. Rather, it gives us a calm security that we will continue to do what we love, in an environment we love, for clients and patients we love, long into the future.
Our story is one of grit and tenacity. We've had to navigate never-ending uncharted waters, doing things differently, never giving up, and constantly innovating. But it’s this very spirit that sets us apart. Our staff's dedication and our clients' trust are the bedrock of our success. Together, we’ve built something truly unique—an independent veterinary practice that stands strong against the tide of corporatization.
We are immensely proud of what we’ve achieved, and we hope that you, our clients, feel the same. You are all part of this incredible journey and we invite you to bring your ideas and advice to help us continue to succeed and iterate. Your support, trust, and loyalty fuel our passion and drive. We remain committed to providing you an exceptional veterinary experience, while maintaining our independence and caring deeply for our employees and the animals we serve.
Here’s to our continued journey—one filled with compassion, innovation, and a fierce commitment to independence. Thank you for being part of our story.
With gratitude,
Deirdre Frey, VMD
Owner, Founder, Veterinarian
Vet At Your Door, PC
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