2014 Sept-Oct WA Veterinarian Magazine

Sept/Oct 2014 Volume 8 • Issue 5

So You Want to Be Your Own Boss?

PRICING: HAMBURGERS 13 ECONOMIC SURVEY OF VETERINARIANS 15 GUIDE TO WPHP 18

PUBLISHED BY WSVMA: BECAUSE BEING A VETERINARIAN IS MORE THAN JUST A PROFESSION. WSVMA.ORG

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ON POINT Advocacy at work.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Insights from a practice owner.

NEWSWIRE The latest veterinary news in Washington State.

Cover Story

SO YOU WANT TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS? The road to a successful startup.

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PRICING: HAMBURGERS Does lowering veterinary fees actually increase demand?

ECONOMIC SURVEY OF VETERINARIANS The financial state of the profession.

GUIDE TO WPHP How to access the confidential veterinary program.

RELIEF VETS In-state directory of available relief veterinarians.

CLASSIFIEDS Careers & practice listings.

September/October 2014 • Volume 8 • Issue 5

I enjoy writing about politics, precisely because it can be a thorny subject on which I hope to foster greater understanding with regard to the WSVMA. Politics finds many of us in opposite corners, some passionate about our philosophy, some apolitical, and many just plain tired of the system and its inherent divisiveness. But rather than using the word politics, let’s call it advocacy, because that’s one of the primary reasons the WSVMA exists for you.

Over the last 50 years, WSVMA’s particular brand of advocacy has gained us passage of several important bills as well as prevented a lot of bad legislation. Our “brand,” if you will, is made up of several important parts. Our legislative advocate, Greg Hanon, has built a solid reputation in Olympia for nearly 30 years and guides us in all issues when dealing with state and local officials. Our Political Action Committee, supported by your donations and managed by members, determines which candidates receive campaign donations to ensure we have their ear when we get to Olympia. Our brand is also you – our members – who deliver campaign donations to candidates and brief them on our issues or make important calls, send emails, or pay visits to their legislators. I also count as part of our brand, one of our own in the legislature, Dr. Kathy Haigh from the 35th district in Shelton. Her legislative colleagues rely on her for the veterinary perspective and she’s been instrumental in moving our issues forward.

WSU/CVM and the WA State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT) are both included in our brand as well, as we have worked together on issues important to veterinary medicine as it affects our profession, our technicians, faculty and students.

Advocacy also encompasses working with related stakeholders such as other organizations, industries and businesses. We may not agree with them on all issues, but we can come together to accomplish a particular goal.

Our work with King County Council on the pet licensing issue is a fine example of advocacy at work. So far, we’ve been effective in averting their plan to force mandatory reporting. The success we’re enjoying is because of our brand – a concerted political effort of our members, our local organization, PSVMA, clients and staff. It’s a fine example of working together towards a common – and important – political goal.

You’ve often heard me ask you for donations to the WSVMA-PAC so that we can continue our successful work with the state legislature. We have to have an active PAC if we want to be effective on bills that affect the profession or the animals we treat. A healthy WSVMA-PAC gives us political credibility, access to relationship building, and opportunities to help elect candidates who understand veterinary, animal and small business issues.

Interestingly, with more members renewing their membership online, it has caused a decrease in the amount of PAC donations we receive. The decrease in donations has unfortunately affected the amount of contributions that we can give to candidates in the general election this year. As you renew your membership, please take an extra moment to include a donation to the WSVMA-PAC. Donations can also be accepted anytime during the year and can be handled online or by staff over the phone. Your annual contributions will make all the difference when we work in Olympia this year and in future years.

Sincerely,

A Washington State Veterinary Medical Association Publication

Editorial & Publications Committee Dr. Richard DeBowes Dr. John Cannon Dr. Angela Lehman Dr. Jim McCutchan Dr. Donna Mensching Lexi Scott Dr. Debora Wallingford Dr. Saundra Willis

Editorial Comments & Contributions Please send all comments and/or contributions to:

Washington Veterinarian Magazine 8024 Bracken Place SE Snoqualmie, WA 98065 Tel (425) 396-3191 Toll Free (800) 399-7862 Fax (425) 396-3192 info@wsvma.org Editorial comments and contributions must be received no later than the first day of the month prior to publication.

Publication months are January, March, May, July, September, and November each year.

Advertising

Please refer to the Classifieds Section for classified advertising details, rates, and deadlines. For commercial advertising rates and deadlines, please contact the WSVMA office at (425) 396-3191 or info@wsvma.org

Magazine Template

By The Breightly Co. breightly.com

WSVMA Executive Board Executive Vice President Candace Joy

Officers: President

Jocelyn Woodd, DVM

President-Elect Erin Hicks, DVM

First Vice President Lisa Parshley, DVM

Past President

James McCutchan, DVM

Michael Anderson, DVM Paul DeMaris, DVM

Snohomish

Region I Region II Region III

Katherine Hickey, DVM

Region IV

Maurine Fritch, DVM

Region V

Stephen Ruark, DVM

RegionVI Region VIII

Diana Thomé, DVM

Region IX

Diane Pinkers, DVM

Companion Animal Practice

Robert Holt, DVM

Equine Practice Production Animal Practice

Tamara Walker, DVM

Specialty Practice

William Dernell, DVM

College of Veterinary Medicine

Nashua Compton

Student Representative

AVMA Thomas Meyer, DVM Kim Nicholas, DVM Saundra Willis, DVM

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Olympia

David Gill, DVM

Chantal Rothschild, DVM

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Lakewood

Executive Board:

Michael Burdette, DVM

Candace Joy is the Executive Vice President of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association. She can be reached at candacejoy@wsvma.org

Spokane

Exec. Board, Dist. XI Rep. Delegate Alternate Delegate

ALL MEDICINE IS NOT THE SAME.

Keep Veterinary Medicine Uncompromised.

Sometimes laws are passed that negatively affect veterinarians, animals or animal health. The WSVMA-PAC is the only organization that advocates for veterinarians in Washington state. We make sure veterinary medicine remains uncompromised.

To find out how you can help go to wsvma.org.

Navigating ChangeAVMA Leadership Conference

President’s Message

By Jocelyn Woodd, DVM, WSVMA President

September represents both the beginning and ending of a story.

It is the end of a wonderful summer, and the beginning of a new school year for so many of our children. It holds memories from the past, and the prospect of creating new memories in the days to come. It can bring fear and dread, but it can also bring excitement and new experiences. In this issue of Washington Veterinarian, we are featuring articles that highlight practice ownership and management. Because of this, I have decided to share some of the insights I have gained from spending the last year and a half of my life as a practice owner in northern Spokane.

I vividly remember the feelings and emotions that September brought when I was a young adult attending vet school. Nervousness first, then the excitement began to set in. The school year held vast amounts of untouched potential and new experiences. My experience as a college student has been somewhat similar to my experience as a veterinary practice owner and manager. There has, however, been one major difference. No amount of studying, research, continuing education, or self-motivational books will begin to prepare you for ownership. Practice ownership and management is an aspect of the veterinary career that you simply must jump into with no hesitations.

There is, of course, one thing that you can indeed prepare for when diving into veterinary practice ownership. This is the certainty that you will be working almost continuously. Your practice becomes your baby. You nurture it, help it grow, and simply cannot help but think about it nearly every moment of every day. In my experience, the first few months were both the hardest and easiest of times.

When I first began, the practice was actually quite slow. I had time to be an owner, manager, and full-time doctor. In my year and a half at this practice, we have gone from a schedule containing a modest amount of appointments each day to a fully booked and even overflowing schedule.

Any major boom in business is accompanied by several new issues that need to be addressed. One major problem that I faced was a

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sudden staff shortage. The typical amount of people designated to work each day no longer sufficed for the new increase in our workload. Luckily, I have a big family that has always supported me and has been more than willing to help when needed. My husband has truly come to the rescue; he has remodeled, repainted, and repaired so many important aspects of the clinic. Not only is he our go-to handyman, but he also has handled a great deal of the clinic accounting and bookkeeping. When our schedule is overflowing with appointments and we are understaffed, he has even attempted to work as an assistant (this makes me appreciate our trained professionals). My youngest daughter, Jessica, has also played a major part in helping take care of the wildlife. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, the clinic is often home to an array of baby birds, squirrels, fawns, geese, and much more. Jessica has helped feed and nurture these baby animals so they can be released back into their natural environments. Lastly, my oldest daughter, Emilie, has been working as a part-time receptionist for us while in college, and filling in for us where needed. When you have a willing family, practice ownership and management doesn’t seem quite as hard.

When the clinic started to become busier, I realized that being an owner, manager, and doctor was just too much. I instead found that creating a team of trustworthy and loyal staff members is a crucial component of successful practice ownership. Because I felt I was constantly needed at the clinic, I wasn’t able to enjoy my free time.

However, when you have a team that you feel comfortable with, it is much easier to enjoy time away from work. I am fortunate that several employees truly stepped up when it comes to practice management. They have helped with the interview process, scheduling, and even staff management. This has allowed me to focus more on what is important to me and every other veterinarian - helping people and their beloved pets.

While practice ownership is definitely a difficult journey at times, I cannot begin to articulate the happiness and contentment that it brings. Ownership, of course, brings financial benefits, but it really boils down to one simple fact: nothing beats being your own boss!

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Dr. Thomas Meyer running for AVMA president Dr. Thomas Meyer, Vancouver, WA, launched his campaign for AVMA President at AVMA’s Candidate’s Introductory Breakfast, which preceded AVMA’s July House of Delegates meeting in Denver. Dr. Meyer is a mixed animal practitioner, WSVMA past president and the recipient of the 2004 WSVMA Veterinarian of the Year award.

Veterinary Newswire The Latest Veterinary News in Washington State

Take Action – Oppose Mandatory Prescription Writing Tell Congress to oppose mandatory prescription writing! The so-called “Fairness to Pet Owners Act” (H.R 4023/ S. 2756) has been reintroduced in both the House and Senate.

Like its predecessor H.R. 1406 in the previous Congress, the legislation would require a veterinarian to provide a client with a written prescription for domesticated household animals, whether or not requested by the client. The veterinarian would be prohibited from charging for the prescription or asking a client to sign a liability waiver related to writing the prescription.

It is burdensome and unnecessary to require a written prescription be provided, regardless of whether or not the client is having the prescription filled by the veterinarian.

Clients already have the flexibility to fill a prescription at their veterinary clinic or offsite at a pharmacy of their choice.

At the same time, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is working on a report with its findings and recommendations following a public workshop it held in October 2012, which examined the competition and consumer protection issues in the pet medications industry. Veterinarians and the AVMA participated as panelists throughout the workshop. It seems premature to consider a “solution,” such as this sweeping federal mandate, prior to publication of the report and clear identification of whether a problem actually exists.

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Please contact your Member of Congress in opposition to the Fairness to Pet Owners Act today! For more information, visit http:// tinyurl.com/fairnesstopets.

Veterinary mobility act signed into law President Barack Obama has signed the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act (H.R. 1528) into law, which makes it legal for veterinarians to provide complete medical care beyond their clinics. The law amends a provision that prohibited veterinarians from transporting, administering, and/or dispensing controlled substances beyond their registered locations.

The new law states that a veterinarian is not required to have a separate registration from their registered principal place of business in order to transport or dispense controlled substances so long as it takes place within the state where they are licensed to practice.

Veterinarians who are unclear how the revised law applies to them should contact the WSVMA or the local DEA office in Seattle at (206) 553-5990.

National Veterinary Technician Week October 12 – 18, 2014 The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Inc. (NAVTA), has proclaimed October 12-18, 2014, as National Veterinary Technician Week. Veterinary technicians are critical to the success of veterinary practices and work to preserve animal health and welfare. Although veterinarians value their technicians each and every day, this week is a time to truly honor all that they do.

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In Dr. Meyer’s campaign speech, he described the AVMA as the linchpin that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together. “Our profession is complex,” he stated, “as we are intimately involved in many aspects of our societal structure. With that diversity and complexity comes the necessity to have an organizational structure and direction in which to keep our association, the AVMA, on a course that maintains value and relevancy for our members and the profession.”

Dr. Meyer has served in numerous WSVMA and AVMA leadership positions, including most recently as AVMA’s District XI Executive Board representative and Executive Board chair. He also served on the WashingtonOregon-Idaho Steering Committee and received the WSU/CVM Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award for Excellence in Practice in 2010. Endorsed by the WSVMA, Dr. Meyer is currently running unopposed.

2014 Auction to benefit the WSVMA Past Presidents’ Student Scholarship Fund You’re invited to attend and donate to the WSVMA Silent Auction on Friday, September 26 in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference in Yakima. The goal of the evening is to raise money for the WSVMA Past Presidents’ Student Scholarship Fund.

Each year, the Fund awards one or more scholarships to deserving veterinary students.

This year, the auction will have a “Gourmet Gift Basket” theme. Use your imagination to create a truly unique basket filled with items such as fine wine, locally made brews, decadent edibles, cookbooks, high tea offerings, certificates for restaurants, cooking classes, brew pub tours, or other related items.

Use your imagination! Download the donation form and benefit our future colleagues.

In memoriam Dr. Kerstin Brosemer (WSU, ‘95) passed away suddenly of a brain hemorrhage on August 3.

She was 45. Dr. Brosemer practiced at MidColumbia Pet Emergency and volunteered at the non-profit organization Prevent Homeless Pets in Benton City. Previously, Dr. Brosemer practiced at Vineyard Animal Clinic in Kennewick before moving to the emergency clinic 10 years ago. Born in Pullman, she’d lived in the Tri-City area for 20 years.

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SO YOU WANT TO BE

YOUR OWN BOSS?

by Debora Wallingford, DVM

F

By Debora Wallingford, DVM

or many veterinarians, practice ownership is an attractive addition to the everyday applications of being an associate.

According to one source here in the Pacific Northwest, practice transactions— buying, selling, and startups—are on the rise so far this year. Interested in starting a new practice?

There are a few (thousand) issues to consider prior to commencing your dream ride, and all you really need is a bit of courage and patience. A whole lot of patience…The following article will guide you through the first few steps down the road to a successful practice startup.

First, develop a timeline for your project. Be realistic regarding the feasibility of the project. What is your anticipated cost and where will your financing come from? Whether you are expanding your present hospital, purchasing/leasing a building or building ground-up, beginning with the end in mind—also known as understanding your exit strategy—will assist in expectations of your fiscal gain from the project.

Determine market viability. In other words, get to know the population base—your potential clients.

What is the number of households you will be serving? A basic rule of thumb is to have access to a population base of 8,000-10,000 households in the market area you are considering. Are they families with children, young professionals, empty nesters?

What is their amount of disposable income?

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Learn the geographical boundaries to your area such as natural barriers and neighborhoods. Where is the competition?

Map out the nearest veterinarians, pet stores, and feed stores. You may gain further information from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s “Veterinary Service Market for Companion Animals,” which is published every five years. Retaining a market consultant or demographic clearing house could also be beneficial in studying market viability.

Develop a business plan. A business plan is a statement containing a set of business goals, how they will be attainable, and the plan for reaching your goals. It may include your views on management and organization, marketing strategies, products and services, and operational arrangements. Business plans help to categorize the overall preparation for your project and is necessary in order to secure financing for the project.

“Two of the most important considerations in choosing a site are visibility and access.”

Get your finances in order. Types of financing available include conventional and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.

Conventional loans are usually through a bank and require a 20% down payment. Conventional loans typically do not finance soft costs such as legal and accounting fees for the project, any architectural or design fees and engineering or service fees. Rates may be fixed or variable and are based on one of the common indices such as the prime rate. They generally amortize on a 15 to 20 year schedule.

Small Business Administration loans were created in order to encourage the interests of small businesses. Veterinary hospitals are considered special use buildings, and the soft costs described above are covered by SBA loans. Loans of SBA origin usually do not require more than 15% down payment, and rates are based on the New York prime plus approximately 2.5%. There is a 3% SBA fee paid by the borrower.

Now you must choose a realtor. This will be a commercial project, so even if you are purchasing residential land you will want to enlist the services of a commercial realtor. Why? Residential and commercial real estate are entirely different beasts, and a residential realtor may not understand the multitude of hoops that must be jumped through prior to purchase. The subsequent paragraphs here will outline a few of those hoops, however having a commercial realtor from the beginning will save you time and heartache in the process.

Know your restrictions for veterinary hospital placement prior to ever visiting a parcel. There exist in our state municipalities restrictions of veterinary hospitals being built within 100 feet of medical facilities, dentists, chiropractors, restaurants, residential living…and the list goes on. Being familiar with your local zoning laws will save you time— and map the parcel before you even view it to confirm you are allowed to have a veterinary practice on that land.

Next on the list is to select a site. Choose a property that is the best location you can afford in your desired market. Two of the most important considerations in choosing a site are visibility and access.

Can your clients easily locate you—and get to you? Will they need to fight traffic or cross possible perceived obstacles such as rivers or freeways? Remember that land cost will be more reasonable at the edge of your existing community near possible future growth, or at a site not on the best intersection but close by. Consider site coverage. A good rule of thumb is that a veterinary building will

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cover approximately 25% of the site. What happens with the rest of the land? It is used for parking—one space per 250 square feet of building, landscaping, possible future expansion, and setbacks.

Setbacks alone may encompass 55 feet in the front and 15 feet on each side and in the back.

If there is a reusable structure in good condition on the property, it may be converted into a functional building for a veterinary hospital. Conversion, otherwise known as adaptive reuse in the construction business, is the process of renovating a pre-existing structure for a new use while keeping some of the original attributes.

These structures typically already have established infrastructure and connections to the community. Good buildings for reuse include those with wide open space and high ceilings—warehouses, garages and restaurants are examples. Renovating a building in good condition may decrease the overall cost and timeline of the project.

And, it is considered an inherently green and energy efficient alternative to building in an untouched open space. Even older historic buildings can be considered energy efficient, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as the average building built before 1920 is more efficient than those built between 1920 and 2000.

Assuming you have survived the process thus far, now comes the painstaking chores. Plan on a sturdy feasibility period prior to signing a purchase and sale agreement. This time is designed for research on the site itself. Whether or not there is a preexisting building on the property, many facets of the land will be assessed. Soil geology can significantly affect development of a site—or renovations/additions to a pre-existing building.

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment will be performed on any commercial site. This test is to ascertain previous contamination of soil, air, groundwater, or building materials if a pre-existing structure is present. You’ve heard of asbestos. This analysis will also investigate pollution with heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and industrial wastes that would prove to be hazardous waste.

The planning and zoning may be the biggest headache of all. Local ordinances control aspects of construction such as what a site may be used for, how many parking spaces are required, building height, and setbacks from roads and other structures. Stringent federal regulations also exist for protected lands, wildlife, wetlands, shorelines, just to name a few. Do your homework and know what the zoning laws and governmental regulations are on the site BEFORE you purchase it. Receiving permission from municipalities for specific zoning requirements is time-consuming and costly with no guarantee of success.

Consequentially, this brings us up to the construction point. Your project will require a whole host of consultants, as one busy veterinarian attempting to practice daily medicine and surgery is not equipped to excel in all categories. Your team may consist of marketers/demographic experts, bankers, realtors, accountants, lawyers, architects, construction authorities with expertise in plumbing/electrical/heating, cooling and ventilation/flooring/ concrete/roofing/paving/painting—you get the idea. The point is, it takes a panel of experts to assist you in your startup practice and many veterinary-specific consultants and companies do exist to perform just those duties.

So, still feeling up to the challenge? Great! Your hospital is more than just a building to house your practice. It is also a physical reflection of your own practice philosophy. Therefore, take your time, engage your heart and soul—but learn to let things go, utilize the most precise advisors on your team, make the most of the best of your luck, and remember that old proverb: Patience is a virtue!

— Dr. Debora Wallingford is the chair of the Editorial and Publications Committee. She can be reached at debiwal@comcast.net.

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PRICING:

Hamburgers

by Darren Osborne, MA

M

y brother-in-law, “Chef”, used to operate a restaurant that sold burgers for lunch. The restaurant was located near a university campus that had a steady flow of clientele that were hungry and ... frugal. Burger sales were great but a lot of the students complained that the burger was too expensive. Some business students, being self proclaimed experts in supply and demand recommended to my brother-in-law that he lower the price of the burger so he could sell more.

During a meeting between Chef and his manager, the idea of lowering the burger price came up for discussion. “I really think we need to lower the price,” Chef said. “A lot of people are complaining about the price.”

His manager picked up his pencil and offered the following questions:

How many burgers are we selling now?

15 per day

The problem of pricing burgers is a management problem. It has little to do with taste, presentation or the location of the business; the issue and the solution are both rooted in management. A lot of the problems facing the veterinary profession are similar to the burger pricing problem facing my brother-in-law. People are complaining about the price and the knee-jerk reaction from most is to lower fees to appease the complaints. They go on to rationalize that increased volume will offset the lower fees and they will be better off as a result. In reality, this rarely happens. Practices that lower their fees end up working harder for the same or less income.

Many of the problems facing the veterinary profession can be solved by managers. The “manager” can be the veterinarian or a bona fide practice manager. The burger problem did not involve complicated financial calculations and a computer. The problem was solved with a pencil, paper and good management.

Clearly, veterinary medicine is a world away from flipping burgers but management is management. Lowering fees rarely increases demand for veterinary medicine. Several practices have solved the problem with decreasing demand by maintaining fee levels and changing the way they manage their client communication.

How much does a student pay for a burger? $11 How much does a burger cost us?

— Darren Osborne is a veterinary economist at the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. He can be reached at dosborne@ovma.org.

$7 How much would we have to lower the price? $2 After some simple calculations, the manager looked up with a grimace. “Could you sell twice as many burgers at $9?” he asked.

“No,” Chef said, “we might sell five more at the most.”

“Then we should stay with the current price,” the manager offered. “If we lower the price by $2 we lose $30 from existing sale of 15 per day.

Because our new profit per burger has fallen from $4 to $2, we would need to sell 15 more burgers to make up for the $30 loss.”

“Wait,” Chef said, “you are telling me that if I lower the price by $2 and sold twice as many burgers, we would only break even?”

“Exactly,” the manager said.

“So what do we do about the complaints?” chef asked.

“Ignore them,” was the reply.

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ECONOMIC SURVEY OF VETERINARIANS

H

ow’s your practice doing? Are things picking up? Will you be able to sell your practice someday? Or, maybe buy one, if you’re a younger veterinarian surveying the market opportunity? How will student loan debt factor in? Most veterinarians know how they feel about their own financial status – and their practice’s, if they own one – but how does that status compare with what our colleagues are experiencing?

Veterinary Pet Insurance® and Veterinary Economics paired with Brakke Consulting to find the answers, and to share them with the veterinary profession. The result: The VPI®-Veterinary Economics Financial Health Study.

“In recent years we’ve seen studies and articles suggesting that the Great Recession paired with the rise of ‘Dr Google’ as a source for veterinary medical advice, has made the practice of veterinary medicine more difficult,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, Chief Veterinary Officer for VPI. “We wanted to find out what the financial situation really is for veterinary practices, and veterinarians individually.”

While 88% of respondents said that they “like having the freedom to do what they want for a living,” the results as revealed in the study were mixed. Many practitioners and practices reported doing better in 2012 as compared to previous years – and as a profession, our salary compares favorably to most Americans. Nevertheless, there are clearly challenges on the horizon that the profession itself may need to change to meet to stay relevant.

A high-level executive summary of the VPI®-Veterinary Economics Financial Health Study was presented at the North America Veterinary Conference in January. Then, at the Western Veterinary Conference less than a month later, VPI presented an expanded version of the summary, along with a panel discussion of experts who offered advice on ways to move the profession forward financially. The most viable potential solution: practice ownership - as a way for our younger veterinary colleagues to pay off their student loans faster, and develop a strong position for future financial health.

McConnell said, “There is a misperception out there among veterinarians that student debt will prohibit practice ownership, and that’s not true. As long as a veterinarian has a strong credit history, continues to follow their student debt re-payment schedule, and buys a practice with sufficient excess earnings to service a practice loan, there are a number of lenders and practice brokers in line to help assist our next generation of prospective veterinary practice owners.”

Veterinary Economics has concurrently launched their yearlong “Leadership Challenge: An Ailing Profession” series designed to better define our financial problems and present solutions, along with highlighting the VPI®-Veterinary Economics Financial Health Study at their three CVC conferences this year.

sept ember/oct ober 2 0 14

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The VPI®-Veterinary Economics Financial Health Study Veterinary Economics was key in attracting veterinarians to participate in a national survey of nearly 1,200 primarily companion animal practitioners, balanced to reflect the profession’s ratio of practice owners to associates. Veterinary Pet Insurance used proprietary information and ongoing industry research to develop a survey that best reveals the actual financial state of the profession.

Key findings: Veterinary salaries remain comfortable relative to most Americans.

A third of veterinary incomes increased last year, while a fourth decreased. Mean household incomes did better. Mean personal income of veterinarians who owned practices was $110,000, while mean personal income of associate veterinarians was $84,000. By comparison, mean personal income for an American worker is $42,693 (U.S. Department of Commerce).

Significant numbers of veterinarians provide a secondary income in their households.

Veterinarians are not all primary breadwinners in their families.

While 91% of male veterinarians and 71% of female veterinarians said they were the primary breadwinners or shared breadwinner responsibility, 29% of female vets and 7% of male vets said their incomes were secondary.

Practice owners feel uncertainty about the health and future of their businesses.

A third of owners said their practice was doing well. Another third said their practice was doing poorly, with the other third in the middle. While practices owned by older veterinarians tended to generate more mean revenue, those owned by younger veterinarians experienced the most improvement in 2012 vs. 2011. Practices not doing well were much more likely to have significant credit card debt, but not necessarily more debt overall.

High debt burdens.

Almost one-quarter (22%) of practice owners carried student loan debt, with an average balance of $66,110. Almost half (49%) of associate veterinarians are carrying student loan debt, with an average balance of $112,082. For some associates, debt servicing requires nearly 40% of their monthly income. Additionally, associate veterinarians were more than twice as likely to have additional student loan debt in the family (11% vs. 23%). Associate veterinarians were also more likely to have other forms of debt (auto loans, credit card).

Veterinary visits and practice revenues are improving, with large practices faring better.

Some 57% of respondents reported an increase in veterinary visits, with 48% reporting an increase in profitability vs. 35% reporting flat or a decrease. More practices owned by younger veterinarians report revenues bouncing back, while those owned by older veterinarians report higher revenues overall. Veterinarians who worked in larger practices on average earn more and experience fewer income declines.

Retirement dreams delayed. Working harder, longer.

More than a quarter (27%) of practice owners said they were planning to delay retirement because of the poor financial condition of their practice. The lack of confidence in their practice’s financials was noted by 58% of practice owners who said they work more hours than they would like because the practice needed the revenue.

Among practice owners, 69% said they would like to work less but they needed the income. Only a third of owners reported that they believe the sale of their practice will provide them with a comfortable retirement income.

Veterinarians feel uncertainty about their financial health and future.

Less than half of veterinarians who are owners (41%), and less than a third of associates (31%), rated their personal financial condition “well” (8-10 on a 10-point scale). A fourth of owners and 30% of associates said they were doing “poorly” (0-5 on a 10-point scale).

Male and older veterinarians were more likely to be doing well than female and younger veterinarians. Those not doing well had much less confidence in their ability to manage finances.

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“While none of us enjoy being the bearer of this news, the results didn’t come as a surprise to many industry-watchers, or indeed to many veterinarians,” said Dr. McConnell. “But veterinarians are smart, ambitious and resourceful. When you show them the data, they’ll find a way to move forward. We felt it was time to help start the conversation, and we aim to be part of the solutions we find together.”

The expanded summary (PDF) is available for download at Dr. McConnell’s website for the veterinary community, VPIvetchannel. com.

Give your practice a shot in the arm.

Learn how offering preventive care plans can help improve your bottom line.

You’re invited to meet with Cori Gross, DVM about preventive care plans and their revenue potential for your practice.

Come visit Dr. Gross at the Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference.

Can’t wait?

Contact Dr. Gross to find out where she’ll be speaking next.

(714) 512-0910 cgross@petinsurance.com

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Insurance plans are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2012); National Casualty Company (all other states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2012). ©2014 Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. Veterinary Pet Insurance, VPI, VPI P&WS logo, and the VPI logo are service marks of Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. Nationwide Insurance is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 14B2B2808

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that you or a colleague might be in need of assistance. WPHP staff members are available to answer questions when there are concerns about a veterinarian’s health, safety, or judgment and can provide guidance in what can be an uncomfortable situation. All healthcare providers licensed in the state of Washington may be required to identify any other licensed provider who has a condition, physical or mental, that may affect his or her ability to practice with reasonable safety.

When should I call the Department of Health?

Incidents of patient harm and sexual misconduct must be reported directly to the Department of Health. If you’re unsure, call WPHP and a staff member will assist you.

What happens when I call WPHP?

T

he practice of veterinary medicine is a highly stressful profession.

When distressed, you may not know where to turn for help, fearing perhaps, that seeking assistance might jeopardize your professional status.

Additionally, when concerns arise about a veterinarian’s health or ability to provide safe care, colleagues and family members may not be aware of the resources available for their loved one or colleague. Fortunately, the Washington Physicians Health Program has been established to help you find solutions in these difficult situations.

Below is a short FAQ guide to accessing Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) services.

What is WPHP? WPHP is a support and monitoring program for healthcare providers who have a condition or illness that is impacting their personal and/or professional life. The program seeks to create a safe harbor where

18

you and your veterinary colleagues can confidentially obtain the help you need.

WPHP serves MDs, DOs, DVMs, DDSs, DPMs, and PAs, as well as students and residents of these disciplines. WPHP services include outreach, crisis intervention, informal assessment, treatment monitoring, advocacy, and guidance when you or a veterinary colleague needs help. WPHP also provides resources for families and employers.

When is WPHP able to help?

WPHP is a confidential resource for any health-related concern including: substance abuse, depression, stress-related illnesses and burnout, bipolar disorder, major anxiety issues, cognitive concerns, and other medical or emotional concerns. Veterinarians, their colleagues, and their family members can access WPHP services at any time.

When should I call WPHP? You can contact WPHP at any time, but we encourage you to call at the first sign

w a s h i ngton ve te ri nari an

When someone calls WPHP, staff members are immediately available to confidentially discuss the presenting concerns and answer questions. If an appointment is appropriate, WPHP will ask the individual to meet with two to three WPHP staff members at its Seattle office, or WPHP staff members may go to the veterinarian or veterinary student to explore the reported concerns.

There are no fees associated with an initial referral or meeting. After meeting with the veterinarian, WPHP is able to provide referrals for appropriate evaluation and treatment, or, if neither evaluation nor treatment is necessary, WPHP can endorse a doctor’s immediate return to work. If treatment is indicated, WPHP monitors the individual’s treatment and his or her progress in recovery, providing support, resources, and advocacy for the veterinarian and his or her family and employer (if applicable). Throughout this process the veterinarian will not be reported to any disciplinary authority or outside agency unless he or she is clearly impaired and refuses to complete recommended medical treatment before returning to work. Doctors don’t get reported to the Board for being sick – they do get reported to the Board for being too sick to work but refusing to take leave, continuing to place their patients at unacceptable risk. Fortunately, these difficult situations are incredibly rare.

What is the goal of WPHP? The goal of WPHP is to maintain a healthy population of veterinarians and to help them recover from their illnesses. The program supports the well-being of the veterinarian while protecting his or her professional status and the safety of his or her patients. If you have concerns that a veterinarian or veterinary student may be in need of assistance, please call WPHP tollfree at 1 (800) 552-7236.

Article contributed by Amanda Shaw, MPH, Research and Outreach Program Manager, Washington Physicians Health program.

Relief Bank

Do You Want to Be in the WSVMA Relief Bank?

All you have to do is email or fax your information to the WSVMA offices. If you are a current WSVMA member, your ad is free! Contact classifieds@wsvma.org or fax to (425) 396-3192 to get your ad started!

Dr. Jessica Allmendinger UC Davis, ‘08 SA Medicine and Surgery,ER (day only) Greater Seattle Area (530) 220-3868 jlallmendinger@gmail.com

Dr. Stacy Chartrand WCVM ‘01 Small Animal Medicine, Surgery and Emergency and Critical Care Greater Seattle and Eastside (206) 445-9994 stacychartrand@gmail.com

Dr. Brian Hur WSU ‘11 SA, Medicine/Surgery/Dentistry, ER/CC Greater Seattle Area (206) 856-0928 brian.hur@gmail.com

Dr. Cheryl Meyers MSU ‘96 Small Animal Medicine, Surgery & Dentistry Greater Puget Sound area (206) 683-0685 cherylmeyers101@gmail.com

Dr. Sonia Amador Ross and Cornell ‘03 SA General Medicine Surgery, and ER (day/night) Greater Seattle area, 7 days (206) 369-5308 Healerfox2@gmail.com

Dr. Leah Cloud WSU ‘05 SA Medicine King County (425) 223-7618 leahclouddvm@gmail.com

Dr. Julie Janiak Colorado State University ‘07 Small Animal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency and Acupuncture Internship trained Greater Spokane Area and nearby counties (970) 420-9556 jagej@hotmail.com

Dr. Gary Miller WSU ’84 SA & MA WA, OR, Northern ID, Western MT (509) 248-7398 millerg@bossig.com

Dr. Douglas Anderson WSU ‘94 (360) 249-3550 doug270@gmail.com Dr. Veeda Angell WSU ‘04 SA/MA King, Snohomish, Pierce and Thurston Cos. (509) 432-3225 vangell_dvm@hotmail.com Dr. Janice Anthony WSU, ‘03 Small Animal Medicine King and neighboring counties Short notice OK jaadvm@cs.com Dr. Bela Belle Tufts ‘97 ER, SA Medicine/Surgery, PT (425) 770-3193 Dr. Evelyn Bittner MSU ’91 SA Medicine/Surgery Greater Seattle & Eastside area (206) 301-0580 evelynbittner@comcast.net Dr. Frank Bousaid TAMU ‘95 SA, Acupuncture/Chinese Herbal Therapy Eastern Washington including Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Spokane (206) 683-3770 snohobear@gmail.com Dr. Kimber C. Brawley KSU ‘89 SA & Exotics, Medicine/Surgery, some Orthopedics King & Snohomish (425) 367-1288 docb333@aol.com Dr. Jon Bruhn Purdue, ‘81 SA Medicine and Surgery Snohomish and King Counties (425) 478-4073 purduevet81@gmail.com Dr. Emily Buddenhagen Oklahoma St., ‘13 SA Medicine Within 30 miles of Puyallup (918) 706-0528 emhowland87@gmail.com

Dr. Patricia Dorsey IL ‘84 Cats and Dogs (253) 851-8234 (Gig Harbor) reliefvet@dorsey.cotse.net Dr. Leah Ferguson Kansas State, ‘02 SAl medicine and surgery Snohomish and King counties (503) 380-4810 leah.jia@gmail.com Dr. Robyn Fry WSU ‘06 SA Medicine King & nearby Counties (425) 244-5776 robyndvm@gmail.com Dr. Tracy Fuelleman MIN ‘89 SA Medicine Greater Puget Sound area (206) 361-8009 tracydvm@hotmail.com Dr. Catherine Gamber Texas A&M 2011 Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, ER, Exotics Greater Seattle Area (281) 352-3987 catherine.gamber@gmail.com Dr. Emma Harvey Edinburgh, Scotland ‘12 SA medicine & surgery, Food animal, equine, exotics Anywhere in WA, Short Notice OK (206) 601-0620 emmarosefiala@gmail.com Dr. Lee Harris WSU, 1974 Pierce, Snohomish and King Counties Small Animal Medicine with Surgery (253) 569-5360 dr.harris@pacificcrestvets.com Dr. David Hildreth MO ‘70 Small Animal (360) 914-1234 dhildr9770@aol.com Dr. William D. Hougham UCD ‘75 SA Surgery and Medicine South King County and Pierce County (360) 825-1981 drbilldvm@gmail.com Dr. Elizabeth Hughs STG ‘09 SA (206) 992-1730 elizabeth.hughs@gmail.com

Dr. Emily Jewell Liverpool ‘98 SA General Medicine & Surgery Seattle and surrounding, Walla Walla and surrounding (206) 579-1012 eajewell@hotmail.com Dr. Kathy Johnson Ohio State `83 SA Snohomish & South Skagit (360) 659-7252 katherine@earthlink.net Dr. Rebecca Johnson OSU / WSU ‘94 SA Medicine Greater Puget Sound area (206) 230-8002 reliefdoc@comcast.net Dr. Darlene King WSU ‘98 Snohomish and King County area (425) 344-7996 dnmking@yahoo.com Dr. Cynthia Knapp Ohio State ‘98 SA North King and South Snohomish Counties cyn.knapp@comcast.net Dr. Kathleen Koppa WSU ‘07 SA Medicine and Surgery King and Snohomish Counties (425) 495-2626 kkoppa@yahoo.com Dr. Lori Maness Tufts, ‘92 Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties (307) 277-8819 Maness.lori@gmail.com Dr. Regina Mansfield WSU ‘85 SA Medicine SE King/ NE Pierce (360) 825-6753 regina.scott.m@gmail.com Dr. Alina McClain Ross ‘06 SA, Ultrasound, Soft Tissue Surgery Northern Western Washington to Seattle Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and some Sat/Sun (360) 682-6216, (614) 563-9914 ndcrud42@yahoo.com

Dr. Sue Moriyasu WSU ‘02 SA, high volume spay/neuter King & nearby counties (425) 830-2784 sue.moriyasu@gmail.com Dr. Kathryn Okawa WSU ‘81 SA, Small mammals (425) 870-7088 okawak@aol.com Dr. Sarah Jane Owens Tufts ‘02 Small Animal, Equine, and Exotics Within 2.5 hours of greater Seattle (206) 661-6005 sarahowens@hotmail.com Dr. Pamela Powell WSU ‘82 SA, ER, HQHV spay-neuter WA, ID, OR. Short notice OK. (253) 229-7816 pamvetdr@aol.com Dr. Chanelle Remien Ross and Purdue, ‘11 SA with surgical, emergency and some mixed animal experience North King County and all of Snohomish County.

(509) 607-0850 Drchanelledvm@gmail.com Dr. L. Louise Rutter Cambridge, England ‘95 SA Medicine and Surgery relief work King County, Lake Washington area (425) 999 6765 louiserutter1000@gmail.com Dr. Michael Ryan WSU ‘84 SA Medicine and Surgery Kitsap and West Sound region (360) 830-4911 ryanserv@msn.com Dr. Aja Senestraro WSU, ‘14 SA, LA, some exotics, Integrative medicine Tumwater to Bellingham (425) 492-0323 SeatoSkyVet@gmail.com Dr. Timarie Simmons OK State ‘98 Small Animal Medicine/Surgery and Some Exotics Greater Seattle and Statewide Options (703) 606-3300 timariedvm@yahoo.com

Dr. Heather Smith WSU ‘03 SA Medicine/Surgery, Exotics (small mammals) North King/South Snohomish counties (425) 501-8008 heatherlosmith@yahoo.com Dr. Hank Snelgrove, CVA UCD ‘81 Integrative Small Animal Practice: medicine, dentistry, surgery, acupuncture, and TCVM herbal therapy Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas and Central and Western Washington (360) 301-0096 tsetsibus@olympus.net Dr. Mary Sprague WSU ‘89 SA Medicine King, S. Snohomish Counties (425) 880-4073 dr.sprague@cablespeed.com Dr. Priscilla Stockner Min ’70 King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

(360) 926-8371 or (360) 420-3717 priscillastockner@mac.com Dr. Michael Stone OSU ‘99 SA,ER, Medicine/Surgery (253) 988-1200 nwdvmrelief@gmail.com Dr. Melissa Walker Cornell ‘04 SA Medicine and Surgery, Integrative Medicine Greater Seattle Area (206) 595-2382 mwalkerdvm@gmail.com Dr. Karen Wichert WSU ‘89 SA Medicine and Surgery Snohomish, King Counties (425) 312-3376 karen.wichert.dvm@gmail.com Dr. Evelyn Wilson, WSU ‘90, ABVP canine & feline med.

Small animal medicine, surgery, dentistry, E.R. and exotics Snohomish, King, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

(360) 631-2400 evwilsonvet@wavecable.com Dr. Heather Woodke WSU 2002 small animal medicine, surgery, ER, mobile small ruminant Western Washington (509) 990-8854 woodkemagpie@comcast.net Dr. Michelle Zachry Purdue ‘02 SA, Medicine/Surgery/Dentistry, ER/ CC, Public Health/Food, Shelter King County and surrounding areas (425) 654-3521 reliablevetrelief@gmail.com Dr. Sharon Zito UC Davis, 1984 SA Medicine Seattle/King County Area 3 or more days in a row (619) 733-6875 s.zito@yahoo.com

Classifieds WSVMA 2014 Classified Advertising Rates WSVMA Members

First 30 words Each additional word WSVMA Blind Box (one-time fee) Include ad in next print issue

DVM Wanted, Western Washington

$65.00 $1.00 $5.00 $10.00

No charge for contact information. Rates are for two months on the website. Ad will be included in the next available print issue for an additional $10.00.

Non-Members

First 30 words Each additional word WSVMA Blind Box (one-time fee) Include ad in next print issue

$115.00 $ 1.50 $ 5.00 $20.00

No charge for contact information. Rates are for two months on the website. Ad will be included in the next available print issue for an additional $20.00.

Classified ad forms are available upon request.

Call (800) 399-7862 or (425) 396-3191 or email classifieds@wsvma.org.

Deadlines for Classifieds

Ads for the Nov/Dec 2014 issue of the WSVMA Classifieds will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2014.

No refunds or changes will be allowed after the deadline has passed.

The WSVMA WA Veterinarian Magazine and WSVMA Classifieds are sent to all WSVMA members.

Flyers

Flyers are accepted to advertise continuing education events only. These are included on a fee for service basis. Please contact the WSVMA office for additional information regarding rates and schedules.

For further information on classified advertising, please contact: WSVMA Office (800) 399-7862 or (425) 396-3191 classifieds@wsvma.org

Ad Categories

DVM Wanted DVM Available Practice For Sale/Lease Miscellaneous

New Ad Deadlines

Technician Wanted Relief Technician Available Hospital Staff Wanted

Nov/Dec 2014 • Sept. 30, 2014

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Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic in Western Washington (Burlington) seeking Small Animal Veterinarian for expanding mixed animal practice.

New graduates considered. Full or part time considered.

Feline interest beneficial. Some evening and weekend hours. Very progressive paper-less practice that practices high quality medicine. www.chuckanutvet.com. Please contact Practice Manager Tami at 360-757-3722 or tami@ chuckanutvet.com.

Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic in Western Washington (Burlington) seeking Mixed Animal Veterinarian (50% dairy) for expanding mixed animal practice, Will consider 100% large animal applicants.

Palpation skills are critical. Full or part time considered.

Some weekend and emergency duties required. www. chuckanutvet.com. Please contact Practice Manager Tami at 360-757-3722 tami@chuckanutvet.com.

We are a progressive small animal hospital, looking for one FT veterinarian to join our team. If you are hard-working, compassionate, with a good sense of humor, you might be the vet for our team! Minimum requirements include general dental and surgical skills.

Please submit your resume attention Tristin to (360) 4599284.

Experienced emergency veterinarian wanted to join our team at a cooperatively-owned practice in beautiful Bellingham, WA. PT or permanent relief available now, with possible transition to FT in future. We are open nights, weekends & holidays. Flexible schedule, wellequipped hospital with digital radiology, in-house labs including coag, CBC, Chemistry. ECG, BP, Pulse-ox, fluid pumps, syringe pumps, computerized records. Wellqualified, knowledgeable and friendly support staff.

Please send resume and references to Dr. Jessica Williams, Animal Emergency Care, 317 Telegraph Rd, Bellingham, WA, or email to:jesvetmed@wildblue.net FT/PT Associate DVM wanted for feline hospital in Bellevue and Sammamish. Come practice in wellequipped facilities with an excellent staff. Family owned and operated. Experience preferred but new graduates welcome. Contact: greenbluffkid1@msn.com or (360) 862-9032. Visit our site at catcareclinicbellevue.com.

Chief of Staff (COS) Veterinarian needed for a progressive, small animal clinic in Puyallup. This 2 doctor Banfield Pet Hospital is excited to welcome a leader (and 3rd veterinarian) to the team! The COS works to ensure the highest quality of veterinary care, exceptional client service and maximum productivity of the veterinary team and partners with the Practice Manager to create a safe and effective hospital environment, improving both medical quality and business performance of the hospital. This position requires 2 years clinical and 6 months leadership experience offers a generous benefits package + competitive pay. Please email Danielle.andrews@banfield.net.

Full-time veterinarian wanted for a small animal, AAHA-accredited, hospital in Seattle. We are located minutes from downtown in a very affluent neighborhood. Our team practices high quality, client-oriented medicine. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits. Please email Dr. Kelly Bergstrom at kelly.bergstrom@vcahospitals.com or fax resume to 206-283-8598.

w a s h i ngton ve te ri nari an

Feline-only practice: FT/PT DVM. Busy, wellestablished clinic looking for a cat person with strong communication skills, a sense of humor, and the ability to work well under pressure. Leave the barking, drooling, and wrestling behind. p.gawley@comcast.net AAHA ER practice in North Puget Sound looking for confident and skilled veterinarian. We offer competitive salary base on production, generous benefits, and a great staff to work with. Contact Carrie Farmer at cfarmer@diamondvet.com or (425) 252-1106.

DVM Wanted, Eastern Washington FT SA Associate Veterinarian needed for a busy, long-established, 2nd generation Spokane practice.

Non-corporate, family atmosphere. Strong surgical & orthopedic case-load. Stable, loyal staff with little turnover. Needing an associate with 3+ years’ experience, confident with good diagnostic, procedural & surgical skills. Rotating schedule with full medical, professional & CE benefits. Vstreet80@hotmail.com at Five Mile Pet Clinic.

FT mixed animal associate needed in beautiful northern Spokane area. 70% SA, 30% equine, ruminants, wildlife. Well-equipped practice w/digital radiology, full in-house lab, endoscopy, ultrasound. Warm, friendly non-corporate practice with family atmosphere. Possible ownership opportunity. Send resume to dvmwoodd@ gmail.com at Mt. Spokane VH.

DVM Wanted, Out-of-State Multi-doctor practice in the Central Valley of CA; progressive, small animal hospital that offers digital radiography, in-house ultrasounds, digital dental equipment, daily surgeries, canine rehabilitation unit including laser therapy and hydrotherapy, in-house laboratory; support staff to veterinarian ratio high; we have a well-established and loyal client base. Pro-Sal with generous base. Learn more www.montevistavet. com. Email resumes to sara@montevistavet.com.

Associate position in mixed animal practice. Large and varied medical and surgical caseload. Shared doctor emergency duties. Great equipment, staff, and clientele.

Vehicle provided, CE provided, paid vacation, buy-in option. New graduates welcome. Please call, fax, or email resume to Linn Veterinary Hospital, 6011 Pacific Blvd.

SW, Albany, OR, 97322; Phone: (541) 926-0291; Fax: (541) 928-2957; Email: linnveterinary@gmail.com.

Practice for Sale or Lease Want to buy an established practice for FREE? Ideal opportunity for start-up. Take over 20-year practice for lease payment only. Excellent north Seattle location.

Great freeway access. (206) 999-2909 or ahealingvet@ comcast.net MULTIPLE LISTINGS: Nevada, Clark County –2,400sf SA practice on +/-1/3 acre. NV2. Oregon, Linn County – 2-story SA hospital. Gross income of >$330K. OR2. California, Fresno County – Profitable 2,500sf SA. San Joaquin Valley. CA7. 800.636.4740 psbroker.com info@psbroker.com

Find More Classified Ads Online at wsvma.org WA – TWO LISTINGS! North of Seattle, high gross, high net ($200k to $300k net), 1 DVM practice. Also, S. Puget Sound, 1 DVM, great location w/RE on busy 4 lane. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@ TPSGsales.com WA – NEW, East of Seattle – Cat clinic in busy shopping center, high demographics. Rev. 300k. Currently PT DVM, needs FT DVM to grow more. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@TPSGsales.com N. of Seattle, WA – Awesome 3,581 SF building, 1 DVM Practice w/ great potential to grow. Needs jump start, financing available. Practice only, $50k sale price. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@TPSGsales.com SE AK – 1 DVM SA practice, leasehold. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@TPSGsales.com NV – SA practice & RE. Outside Reno, Rev. 300k to 400k (2014). Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@ TPSGsales.com OR – East of Portland. SA, some mixed, high rec. area.

Rev. over 500k. Beautiful facility included w/ Practice.

Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@ TPSGsales.com Two Practices - near Portland, OR – One Practice only High net, SA high tech 1 vet $500k rev. Seller has another Practice for sale too! It is nearby and includes RE. For details, contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@ TPSGsales.com OR – NEW LISTING! Central OR. SA 1 DVM over 400k gross rev. Leasehold. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 6361228 or Karl@TPSGsales.com ID – NEW LISTING! Eastern ID. Practice and RE w/ Residence in the practice. Room to grow, in beautiful ID. $375,000 total package. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@TPSGsales.com WA – NEW LISTING! Good practice S. of Seattle. Long term practice, on 4 day work week. Owner retiring.

Nearly 400k rev. Contact Karl Salzsieder (360) 636-1228 or Karl@TPSGsales.com

VCA North Division AMC is seeking an experienced Veterinary Technician to join our well-established, AAHA-accredited, 5-doctor practice in Spokane, Washington. We’re looking for a believer in high quality veterinary medicine and patient care.

Excellent benefits package including a sign-on bonus.

Please enquire with resume via email to tamil.stokes@ vcahospitals.com for consideration.

Relief Technician Available Vet Tech Services – Let our experienced LVT’s keep your hospital running at full capacity. Please call Virginia Jones, LVT at (425) 330-5234

WSAVT Career Center (360) 273-7838 or ludeluh@yahoo.com

Display Ad Index ACCES..................................................................................... 5 Architectural Werks....................................................... 21 Campbell Pet Company............................................... 11 Diamondback Drugs..................................................... 12 Homestreet Bank............................................Back Cover Kitsap Bank........................................................................... 5

Visit wsvma.org

Nutramax............................................................................ 14 Simmons & Associates Northwest.............................. 7 Summit Veterinary Referral......................................... 17 Seattle Veterinary Specialists..................................... 11

to view additional job opportunities.

Veterinary Pet Insurance.............................................. 17 WSU......................................................................................... 7

POTENTIAL: Oroville, WA, 1 DVM, MA practice.

Grossed just over $370k in 2013. Facility is 2,500 sf with apartment just above practice. Practice and RE. Asking $370,000. Simmons Northwest 208.664.3100 (LWA56) PRICED REDUCED: Alaskan beauty, outdoor recreation. Highly profitable, 1 DVM, SA practice.

Leasehold. Grossed $390k+ in 2013. Potential for $165k+ to buyer after debt pymts. Asking price $275,000.

Simmons Northwest 208.664.3100 (LAK06)

Technician Wanted Animal Clinic of Walla Walla seeks a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Position description and clinic information is available at animaclinicww.com. Please mail or email resume and letter of interest to Animal Clinic of Walla Walla, 2089 Taumarson Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362; acww@pocketinet.com.

Veterinary Architects & Planners “Working with veterinarians to create facilities of distinction since 1969”

425.823.2244 / www.awerks.com sept ember/oct ober 2 0 14

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