Skip to content

Our Story

After 30 years of veterinary practice ownership and exemplary medical care, Frank Batten, DVM, founded Vets Pets in 2007 with his son-in-law, Steve Thomas.

The Vets Pets Mission

Vets Pets was created to address changing needs in the veterinary industry. By providing hands-on operations management, HR support, continued education, advanced technology and resources, we enable veterinarians to focus on medical excellence in a supportive and healthy hospital culture.

Whether veterinarians are looking to join one of our existing practices, launch a new practice, acquire an existing practice or transition out of practice ownership, our role in the business is flexible. We invest in people, equipment and facilities with the long-term in mind and work with our veterinary partners to match strengths and interests with the right business opportunity. We make change proactively where needed to support the interests of our practice leaders and the needs of the community. Examples of these investments include:

Expanding a general practice to a 24-hour general and emergency practice.
Establishing part-time HVHQ spay/neuter clinics in 3 different general practice locations.
Building new facilities and renovating existing buildings.
Starting a veterinary specialty hospital out of an existing after-hours emergency hospital.
Partnering in ownership with veterinarians to start new practices and purchase existing ones.
Adding new services and equipment such as dental radiography, ultrasound, acupuncture, advanced surgery, wellness plans, etc.

Not all of these initiatives work at all locations or excite all veterinarians. What makes us excited is to partner with motivated and talented veterinarians and team members to recognize their dreams and goals and build or create a great business around them. This combination is extremely rewarding for all.

What Our Team Members Are Saying

Our Philosophy and Culture

Red and teal icon of two people shaking hands

Commitment to Excellence in Medicine and Service

We expect all our doctors and teams to: practice at the highest standards of care and service, treat their colleagues and teams with respect and challenge themselves. The needs and interests of each Vets Pets practice and its community can vary. We encourage autonomy at each hospital to address specific needs of its community and develop interests or strengths of the local team. We uphold these standards by hiring the best veterinarians and staff, and providing them with the training, resources and guidance they need to use their skill-set to best serve patients and clients.

Red and teal icon of three people

The Vets Pets People

Our people are our most valuable asset. We focus on creating a positive culture for every team member. Continued education, mentorship, communication, and promotion from within are valued.

Red and teal icon of person at a desk with laptop and a cog wheel in the background

Operational Development

We encourage each Vets Pets hospital to maintain or develop its own personality, but many operational processes are standardized throughout the company. Over our 30+ years in the vet industry, we’ve tested and developed our own best practices. Vets Pets management, Practice leaders and staff work together to improve operational procedures and client service.

Back To Top