Unless intentionally designed otherwise, many mixed animal hospitals rely on the small animal business to subsidize the large animal, large animal drugs to float the large animal, or are focused on large animal with small animal being a more seasonal afterthought. As a private mixed animal practice owner, I am incredibly passionate about mixed animal practice and the ability to serve and be part of our community. A mixed animal practice is not a small animal practice, and it’s not a large animal practice. We can find professional fulfillment if we recognize and intentionally design a mixed animal hospital to allocate the resources to treating each aspect of the business with the business plan and respect it deserves.
Stith Keiser
Partner, Alpine Animal Hospital
Pocatello, Idaho
Mixed animal practice is the most rewarding if you like a new puzzle with each appointment. My days range from small animal surgery or dentistry in the clinic to seeing farm dogs and barn cats for the only vet care they’ll get that year to seeing horses, goats, and sheep both in the clinic or on the farm for all manner of routine and emergency presentations. My favorite days are the ones where I see all of the species I treat. Clients are so grateful when you can help all of their pets; it’s why I love my job.
Sara Beth Speziok, DVM, MPH
Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic
Newberry, Florida
While cute baby goats are the Labrador puppies of the mixed animal world, there are species differences you should be aware of when considering the transition. Joining veterinary large animal social media sites and attending large animal conventions can help navigate the on-ramp to mixed animal practice. Having large animals brought into your existing clinic will require some modifications such as a treatment area, lighting, and stocks, but will allow access to your current pharmacy, labs, and techs. Ambulatory practice will require portable equipment, vehicle, and pharmacy but can allow a quicker start up. As the number of veterinarians providing these services decline, the need is immense. You can find that working with large animals is incredibly rewarding, both professionally and mentally, as you escape the fluorescent light confines of the clinic, step into the great outdoors, and enjoy the best of both worlds.
Alan Weldon, DVM, DACVIM
Jacksonville Equine Associates
Jacksonville, Florida
One of the best parts of mixed animal practice is the joy that my team members and I have with the variety of species that we are helping. A technician might be sitting at a computer writing a record for a dog appointment with a baby goat on her lap. A small animal doctor may come out and help with a cow C-section. After a difficult appointment, a large animal team member can snuggle a puppy. Helping so many different species of animals is unbelievably rewarding. There is never a boring day.
Christine Staten, DVM, MBA
Adobe Veterinary Center
Tucson, Arizona