[Dallas, TX – May 16, 2022] – CityVet, the Dallas-based leading network of 25 veterinary-owned practices, offering unique and extraordinary programs serving people through pet care, has signed 6 new DVM partners/owners, and announces it intentions to expand into new markets based on where they are seeing consumer and veterinarian demand.

The clinic network plans to open an additional 10-15 units in the next year with expansion into new markets within the next year including Austin, TX; Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; and Phoenix, AZ; and growth within Denver, CO.

“As we continue to grow, we are looking for real estate opportunities in developing neighborhoods of burgeoning metropolitan areas,” says David Boguslawski, CEO of CityVet. “We are driven to make CityVet more accessible; not only so we can continue to provide the highest quality care for pets and a great experience for humansbut also so we can continue to benefit veterinarians with our unique operating model.

Boguslawski continues, “We equip our DVM(Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)-owner partners with progressive, high-end facilities and back-of-house technology, allowing them to focus on what they’re passionate about: taking care of pets.”

CityVet’s unique business model empowers DVM’s to do what they were called to do while offering a scalable business model to provide financial stability and success. From technology that provides deep insights into their own business, to payroll and invoicing systems, educational tools for patient and employee management, healthcare and more, CityVet is a one-stop-shop for their partners.

“Our mission is to take the stress of day-to-day processes and back-end financials that typically bog down most veterinarians out of the equation for our DVM partners, while also offering training to help them learn real life tools for after they graduate veterinary school,” says CityVet Founder Dr. Chip Cannon.

special training program called CityVet Academy launched last year as a way to train newly graduated DVMs to become leaders in the industry and help them continue to hone their skills after veterinary school has finished. Here, newly graduated CityVet DVM’s learn about everything from how to read a profit and loss statement, to how to deliver uncomfortable news to pet parents, personality profiling and more.

Furthermore, newly graduated DVM’s are assigned mentors – DVM’s with at least 6 years of experience – to get hands-on experience and feedback from tenured peers in their industry.

“We want to set up our DVM-owner partners for success, because their success is our success,” continues Cannon. “Our model has allowed for an extremely low turnover rate at our clinics compared to the industry standard, allowing us to retain top talent and provide the highest caliber of care to pets.”

While CityVet plans to expand nationally over time, the company is actively pursuing opportunities in Austin and Houston, TX as well as Denver, CO in the immediate future.

“We are thrilled with the growth and support of CityVet with our valued partners but also clients over the past 23 years and look forward to bringing our incredible pet and people care philosophy to more neighborhoods across the state and country,” says Cannon.

Jack the goat, born to spread love and joy, came into this world on Valentine’s Day 2022. Our Chief Technology Officer, J.R. Mayer and his wife, Natalie, took Jack in as he was born to a younger mom who was not ready to care for him.

J.R. brought him into one of our CityVet clinics for a routine check up. J.R. was already raising a few adult goats and Jack was not taking too well to the environment. He mentioned this to the CityVet team and just like a true work family, Krina, our Controller, stepped up to the challenge to foster Jack until he was ready to play with the big boys and girls.

“I think we can do this. We’ve got a big yard, a friendly dog, and this sounds like fun!” – Krina.

At first it was a little daunting, but once Krina and her husband brought Jack home, fears subsided with how easy the process was. What was meant to be fostering for a few days, quickly turned into six weeks. The most rewarding aspect of bringing Jack home was the relationship it fostered within the team at CityVet. J.R. and Krina continued to communicate updates about Jack and share photos with each other.

“It’s been fun to share this adventure with them. There are so many amazing people who work at CityVet, both within the leadership team and in the clinics, and this was a fun way to deepen our friendship and really further the CityVet ‘We are Family’ and ‘Just Wag’ values together.” – Krina

Goats and other Animals

Krina also has a blue heeler mix named Oliver. When Jack and Oliver first met, it was as if something new came alive in Oliver. He has always been great with kids and other pets, but Oliver stepped up to the plate and started watching over Jack. Jack became Oliver’s shadow for the six weeks he was fostered and Oliver would make sure Jack never wandered off too far or that other dogs were never too rough with him. They were the perfect pair of foster brothers.

Considering Fostering a Goat?

Goats are cute and cuddly, but they are not used to things like potty training or knowing what is safe and not safe to eat. They require a lot of supervision and attention, and without it, they can easily be put into danger as they like to explore everything and eat just about everything – shoelaces, plastic bags, electrical wires, plants, books, you name it. While Jack thrived during this early period, he was most happy when he was reunited with J.R. and his family of goats. At eight weeks old, he was happy and healthy, eating solid foods, and confident in his environment.

Where is Jack now?

Jack now lives at a ranch out in Rice, TX. He is going to be a petting animal for children at churches, hospitals and schools, the perfect job for his fun, loving, and outgoing character and personality. Just like Krina says “You can’t have a bad day while petting a goat! Knowing that J.R. will continue to spread joy and happiness with Jack is probably my favorite part of this whole experience.”

Learn more about the CityVet team

Dallas, Texas, January 24, 2022

CityVet, a leading network of veterinarian-owned practices offering comprehensive pet care based in Dallas, TX, continues its growth in Texas. CityVet announced the opening of its newest clinic in Fort Worth, TX. Located at 2731 S Hulen Street, Fort Worth, TX. The new state-of-the-art facility is ready to serve the community by providing full-service care for pets, including vaccinations, surgery, grooming, and healthy pet foods.

CityVet—South Hulen is led by Derek Johnson, DVM, who has been part of the CityVet family as a Mid-Cities veterinary team member. “I am excited to see a lifelong dream come to fruition,” said Dr. Johnson. “I always knew I wanted my own clinic to help pets live long and healthy lives and serve people through pet care. The partnership with CityVet has given me that and so much more.”

“At CityVet we believe our lead veterinarians should have ownership in their clinics. This provides a superior client experience and better medical decisions for their pets. We are living our core values every day by supporting our clinics and letting them do what they do best, provide high-quality pet care.” said David Boguslawski, CityVet CEO, “Dr. Johnson is a passionate and experienced veterinarian; having the ability to partner with a leader like him is a true blessing for this organization and our clients.”

Over the last year, CityVet has experienced rapid growth bringing a fresh, contemporary version of evolved veterinary medicine to each new community.

schedule your appointment today

With COVID safe practices in place, appointments will start on January 24, 2021. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Appointments can be made by calling 817.646.9967

On Friday, December 10, 2021, CityVet’s Dr. Erin Tate delivered the commencement address to the newest graduating class of the University of North Texas College of Science. Over 300 STEM-focused students were honored at the graduation as the Fall 2021 class.

“I am thrilled to speak at the UNT College of Science commencement this year,” said Dr. Tate. “As a kid of a University of North Texas professor and a student of this university, there is no greater honor. I hope sharing my story will inspire others to lead their best life after graduation!”

“Dr. Tate is part of an important and impactful profession that a degree from the College of Science can lead to – taking care of the medical needs of our dear pets within our families,” said Dean Pamela Padilla. “I greatly appreciate all of the work Dr. Tate does for the College of Science alongside her successful practice, and I am pleased that she will be delivering the commencement address to our newest graduates.”

For the past twenty-one years, Dr. Erin Tate has been busy living her dream of helping animals. Her journey to a successful career began at UNT, where she graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biology in 1994 and went on to complete her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M in 1999. Her focus has been in small and exotic animal practice ever since. In 2004, Dr. Tate opened her first CityVet clinic and has since grown to two clinics and a Ruffit location. Alongside managing these growing businesses and seeing her patients, she also mentors other veterinarians on how to run and own successful practices, too.

Dallas, Texas, November 22, 2021

CityVet, a leading network of veterinary-owned practices offering comprehensive pet care, was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in North Texas by The Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.

CityVet was founded by Dr. Chip Cannon more than 20 years ago with the purpose of creating a company with a passion for providing the best pet care and serving the people. Throughout CityVet’s history, the focus has been on a de novo-first growth model, providing a unique opportunity for lead veterinarians to have ownership in their clinic. This model has given them a distinction in the marketplace, attracting top veterinary talent and creating a catalyst for growth.

“We are proud of this achievement. Our clinics are providing exceptional pet care and our home office teams are providing the support they need to perform at a very high level in a fun, caring environment. With this combination there’s no limit to our future success,” said David Boguslawski, CityVet CEO.

CityVet opened five new clinics and acquired four clinics in the DFW and San Antonio markets in 2021 with plans to expand into additional markets in 2022.

Dallas, Texas, October 19, 2021

CityVet, a leading network of veterinary-owned practices offering comprehensive pet care, announced their third San Antonio, TX practice acquisition. The addition of River City Companion Animal Hospital to CityVet’s expanding network brings the San Antonio footprint to four new locations this year, including the recent opening of CityVet in Alamo Heights.

River City Companion Animal Hospital is led by Chris Kohnen, DVM. “Joining CityVet was an easy decision to make—I was on the verge of burnout with the after-hours administrative work that needed to be done. I’m looking forward to the CityVet partnership and getting back to focusing on what I love—providing quality pet care for our clients,” said Dr. Kohnen.

“Dr. Kohnen is a great veterinarian and leader,” said David Boguslawski, CityVet CEO. “We are very selective in our pursuit of acquisitions; culture and fit are the most important criteria when selecting a partner. Dr. Kohnen and his team exemplify our company values and will make a great addition to the CityVet family.”

CityVet’s growth over the last 20 years has been focused on a de novo model, providing a unique opportunity for lead veterinarians to have ownership in their clinic. “We are in a distinctive position in the marketplace. We are experiencing rapid growth with our branded clinics and have the ability to create accretive partnership structures based on the needs of DVMs in non-branded clinics that provide opportunities for true value and wealth creation,” said Brian Jindra, CityVet Chief Development Officer.

The acquisition is effective October 18, 2021; the terms of the transaction were not disclosed. River City Companion Animal Hospital will continue to operate under its current name.

About CityVet
CityVet is a leading network of 24 veterinary-owned practices providing exceptional pet care for more than 20 years. Founded in 1999 by Dr. Chip Cannon with the mission to create client-centered, quality pet care. CityVet is rapidly growing with clinics in Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, and Denver, CO, providing vet care, boarding, grooming, and healthy pet foods.

About River City Companion Animal Hospital
Founded by Dr. Chris Kohnen, River City Companion Animal Hospital, located in San Antonio, TX, is a full-service, small animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care.

schedule your appointment today

With COVID safe practices in place, walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Appointments can be made here.

Our pets look adorable in costume, but when it comes to Halloween they’re not as enthusiastic as we are. Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe and secure while candy and ringing doorbells take center stage for the night.

  • Make sure your pet is properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag) in case they escape through the open door while you’re distracted with trick-or-treaters.
  • If you plan to put a costume on your pet, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable, doesn’t have any pieces that can easily be chewed off, and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s sight, hearing, breathing, opening its mouth, or moving.
  • Take time to get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween, and never leave your pet unsupervised while he/she is wearing a costume.
  • Keep glow sticks and glow jewelry away from your pets. Although the liquid in these products isn’t likely toxic, it tastes bad and makes pets salivate excessively and act strangely.
  • If your pet is wary of strangers or tends to bite, put him/her in another room during trick-or-treating hours or provide him/her with a safe hiding place.
  • Keep your pet inside.

If you have an anxious pet, call your veterinarian to discuss options that best fit your pet’s needs.

Nutrition for your pet should be evaluated just like yours is. Check the nutrition label on your pet’s food to see what’s in it. Look for foods that are meat-based with high-nutrient value ingredients. Generally, the first three lines should include protein, fruits and vegetables, and grains.

Our recommendations for feeding your pet are based on the science of nutrition. With this foundation, we can help you better understand your pet food choices. Choosing healthier foods results in your pet’s improved health and quality of life. After all, “healthier” doesn’t have to mean more expensive.

How much should you feed your pet?
Portion size may vary based on breed, age, and health condition, and settling on the right amount can be tricky.

The correct meal size depends on factors like:

  • Type of food
  • Number of meals
  • Body weight
  • Metabolic rate
  • Amount of exercise

Most pet food labels have suggestions based on your pet’s weight. These suggestions are pretty general and may be too high to maintain a healthy weight because they don’t take into account your pet’s lifestyle or breed. Some pets may require more or less food than the guidelines, depending on activity level and other factors. For example, a 35-pound Corgi that tends to gain weight might need to start with less food than the label recommends. Combine this information with your veterinarian’s recommendations to come up with the initial amount of food to offer your pet for a long and healthy life.

When should you feed your pet? 

The general rule of thumb is to feed your pet twice a day. For instance, feed your pet in the morning while you eat breakfast and in the evening when you sit down to eat dinner. This is not a hard-and-fast rule and may be different for your pet and lifestyle.

Healthy Body Weight  

Your veterinarian can assess your pet’s weight and overall health, then make recommendations regarding weight, diet, and exercise. They can also teach you to assess your pet’s body condition by observing body shape and feeling certain parts of your pet’s body. A healthy weight isn’t simply a number on a scale; it’s about healthy body composition.

The benefits of keeping your pet at a healthy weight

Excess weight can reduce your pet’s life expectancy by more than two years! Keeping your pet trim gives them the best chance of a longer, healthier, and pain-free life. When your pet is at a healthy weight it will lower their risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and some forms of cancer. It can also reduce the risks of injury to bones, joints, and muscles that are associated with excess weight. If your pet has arthritis, keeping them at a healthy weight makes it easier to manage the discomfort associated with joint pain.

Dallas, Texas, September 20, 2021

CityVet, a leading network of more than 20 veterinary-owned practices offering comprehensive pet care announced the opening of their newest location in Alamo Heights, the first branded clinic in San Antonio, TX. Located at the intersection of Broadway and Austin Highway at 5421 Broadway, the new state-of-the-art facility will serve the community by providing full-service care for pets, including well-balanced puppy/kitten and senior pet wellness care, surgery, dental care, and grooming.

CityVet–Alamo Heights is led by Nichole D’Intino, DVM, in partnership with Greg Gains, DVM, who joined the network in May 2021 with his clinic Alamo Ranch Animal Hospital. “I am excited to embark on this adventure with CityVet. Opening a veterinary clinic has been a life-long dream, and I am looking forward to serving the people and pets of Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Dr. D’Intino.

“We believe in happy people and healthy pets, and we are looking forward to bringing that to San Antonio. Dr. D’Intino is a great veterinarian and leader and is the perfect fit for this new location,” said David Boguslawski, CityVet CEO. CityVet offers a unique local ownership structure, providing lead veterinarians the ability to have ownership in their clinics.

Longtime San Antonio Veterinarian and CityVet’s Executive Chairman Andy Anderson, DVM, shared; “In partnership with Dr. D’Intino and Dr. Gaines, we are thrilled to bring our fresh, contemporary version of evolved veterinary care to San Antonio! These two partner veterinarians demonstrate the future of our profession and the CityVet model of local ownership is bright.”

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT  TODAY

With COVID safe practices in place, appointments will start on September 20, 2021. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Appointments can be made by calling 210.942.9589.

How sticking to tried and true strategies can lead to above average recruiting performance.

One thing I have learned in the many years I have spent in intensive industries that required intensive hourly recruitment, is that there is no one magic bullet to solve your staffing needs. If there was, we all would not be losing as much sleep about where to find talent for our hiring managers. We all know that our ability to attract and retain key talent is perhaps our most important responsibility as HR professionals. It can make or break our success.

Being effective in this space requires diligent and ongoing efforts to build candidate pipelines, and a recruiting strategy that reaches both traditional and non-traditional candidate sources. In a tight labor market, the easiest short-term solution is not always the best long-term solution to build great talent resources for the future.

In the current labor market, many are finding themselves limiting how they are approaching recruiting and sticking to only what they know. DON’T! Here’s what you can DO beyond what you are already achieving:

  • Don’t Limit Yourself – Train
  • Don’t Over-rely on Job Boards – Source
  • Don’t Overlook Employees – Engage Them
  • Don’t Turn Away Apprentices – Embrace Them
  • Don’t Overlook Opportunities – Promote Communities
  1. Don’t limit yourself to experienced candidates for expedience.
    Do be willing to train for the right attitude and for someone who can grow with you. Someone who is being given an opportunity can be very loyal to the investment you are making and in the current climate, there are many displaced workers it would be a mistake to overlook.
  2. Don’t over-rely on job boards-There is a reason this strategy is referred to as “Posting and Praying” if you don’t have any alternate strategies or know how to maximize them!
    Do use them to spotlight positions (the extra expense is well worth it) and resume data bases can be great search tools.
  3. Don’t overlook your employees as a great recruiting resource.
    Do have a referral program that incentivizes your team members to refer people with the attributes to be successful working for your organization. They also have a vested interest in who they work alongside of!
  4. Don’t turn down opportunities to work with apprentices or students from High School training programs because of the extra work.
    Do partner with high schools with students that may be receiving vocational training in your industry. It requires some effort on the part of your team, but it can turn out some great future team members very early in their careers. It also helps to fulfill our responsibility to grow future talent in the industries we are committed to!
  5. Don’t overlook all of the opportunities available to work with veterans, individuals with disabilities and/or various outreach programs.
    Do your research and know the communities you recruit within and familiarize yourself with any agencies, outreach programs, and other resources that help may help to train individuals or provide placement assistance.

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My best advice? Don’t take your foot off the gas just because your current openings are filled. Do recruit both when you need people but also when you don’t. Having an active candidate pipeline will help you to reduce your hiring cycle time now and in the future. The work you put into this every day, not just when you need someone (now), will help you and your organization to build a proactive and lasting talent strategy.

Kim Burak
Chief People Officer