Two hospital networks — Ethos Veterinary Health and American Veterinary Group — have grown by one practice each, the companies reported Aug. 15.
Ethos, which operates specialty and emergency hospitals in Chicago, Denver, San Diego and the Northeastern United States, acquired Vista Veterinary Specialists of Sacramento, California. The terms were not disclosed.
“Their concern for the individual coupled with a desire for the advancement of veterinary medicine really resonated with me,” said JT Vida, DVM, DACVS, who was Vista’s principal owner. “As discussions continued, it became apparent that Ethos could help Vista achieve so much more than we could by ourselves.”
Ethos now owns 15 practices under their original names: Vista Veterinary Specialists, IVG Hospitals, Premier Veterinary Group, Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, Veterinary Specialty Hospital and Peak Veterinary Referral Center, an April 2016 addition.
Meanwhile, American Veterinary Group acquired Animal Medical Clinic at St. Johns, in suburban Jacksonville, Florida, from owner Dawn Stewart, DVM. No terms were disclosed.
Animal Medical Clinic became the sixth hospital in 2-year-old American Veterinary Group’s Florida network. Dr. Stewart said the takeover relieves her of many management tasks and allows her to focus on veterinary care.
“While it’s critical to stay current with all the latest veterinary technology and innovations, managing the business of being a vet has been taking time away from my passion: caring for our patients and their families,” she said.
American Veterinary Group hospitals, like those under Ethos, are locally managed for the most part.
“We respect the unique personality and culture of each veterinary hospital and understand how important it is to preserve the special relationships that clients have with their vets,” said Craig Niebur, CEO of American Veterinary Group.