Brakke Founder Ron Brakke Dies
Ron Brakke, who founded Brakke Consulting in 1986 and most recently served as president emeritus, died July 30 from complications related to viral encephalitis. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rebecca, two daughters and two grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 22 at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas.
Mission Pet Health Arises From 2024 Merger
Two hospital networks — Southern Veterinary Partners and Mission Veterinary Partners — are now known as Mission Pet Health following their 2024 merger. According to Mission Pet Health, “With proven track records of clinical and operational excellence, SVP and MVP have each earned recognition on prestigious workplace ranking lists such as Inc. 5000, U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek.”
Packaged Facts Releases Pet Owner Survey
Packaged Facts’ January 2025 Survey of Pet Owners discovered that “Among those who have used veterinary services in the last 12 months, 70% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners have gone to a local/independent clinic or hospital, making these traditional-style providers by far the most widely used veterinary practice format.” The complete survey is available for purchase at bit.ly/4mqYFjg.
Terravet Completes $2.19 Million Project
Terravet Real Estate Solutions has partnered with Innovetive Petcare to open a newly renovated location for Hernando Animal Clinic & Surgery Center in Hernando, Mississippi. The $2.19 million project includes a $950,000 acquisition and $1.235 million in renovations.
UC Davis Sets Fundraising Record
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine raised a record $118 million in fiscal year 2024-25. Nearly 5,400 individuals, corporations and foundations made 8,632 philanthropic contributions. According to UC Davis, much of the funding will support scholarships, public service, and innovative research and treatments, “including those that have the potential to translate to human health, such as cancer.”
Investors Give $55 Million to Small Door Veterinary
Small Door Veterinary, a New York-based hospital network, has received $55 million from investors to support its continued growth. Small Door’s two newest membership-based clinics are in McLean, Virginia, and New York City.
Veterinary Emergency Team Is Back From Flood Zone
The Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team has returned home after a 23-day deployment along the flooded Guadalupe River. Texas A&M reported that team members provided veterinary care for nearly 100 search and rescue dogs.
AAHA Unveils New Standards of Accreditation
The American Animal Hospital Association has released four new points-based Standards of Accreditation involving the discouragement of nontherapeutic ear crops, devocalizations and feline declaws and one focusing on the importance of discussing microchipping with pet owners.
Siemens MR System Uses Minimal Helium
Siemens Healthineers has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for the Magnetom Flow.Ace, a 1.5 Tesla platform for magnetic resonance imaging. It requires only 0.7 liters of liquid helium and no quench pipe. According to the company, the system is “the first Siemens Healthineers MR scanner to be marketed to the veterinary radiology community as well as for general radiology.”
PRN’s ReGum Vet Serves as a Dental Scaffold
PRN Pharmacal has announced the U.S. launch of ReGum Vet, a scaffold for placement into a dog’s periodontal defect as part of a framework for tissue repair. The product contains enzymatically cross-linked and biodegradable gelatin.
Veterinary Educators Will Bond Online
The Association of Veterinary Technician Educators expects to launch an online platform in late 2025 for educators to connect, exchange resources, navigate shared challenges and engage in meaningful professional discussions. Chewy Health is a strategic partner and investor in the initiative.