INNOVETIVE PETCARE ACQUIRES THE VETERINARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL OF HICKORY

Innovetive Petcare, a Texas-based company that owns and operates veterinary practices throughout the U.S., today announced it acquired the veterinary management assets of Veterinary Referral Hospital of Hickory (VRHOH). Founded in 1991, VRHOH has long provided veterinary specialty care for North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee area pets.  Under the terms of the deal, Innovetive Petcare brings its financial, marketing, and administrative prowess to VRHOH to support the practice’s veterinarians as they continue to focus on practicing veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Referral Hospital of Hickory operates 24 hours a day with an always-open emergency and critical care department. Specialty services offered to referred patients include Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Dermatology, and Rehabilitation. VRHOH is also home to an iodine therapy center for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats, one of the signature programs that make this hospital an important resource for the region.

Owner Scott R. Helms, DVM DABVP said, “Mark and Paul at Innovetive Pet Care were able to greatly simplify my succession planning. I look forward to continuing to provide excellent care to our referral base through our partnership with Innovetive Petcare.” Dr. Helms illustrates Innovetive Petcare’s premise that veterinarians should be able to pursue their passion for veterinary medicine without sacrificing a healthy work-life balance, burdened by management responsibilities.

The Veterinary Referral Hospital of Hickory’s Hospital Administrator Mike Bridges reports, “I have experienced several sales throughout my 30-year career, some to relieve administrative burden and some for succession planning. Going through this with Innovetive Petcare has been a really positive experience and a good choice for our hospital.” Now, VRHOH has the advantage of Innovetive Petcare’s best-in-class team, tools, and financial resources.

This acquisition solidifies Innovetive’s strong regional position in the southeast, an area where it now operates three leading emergency and specialty hospitals. Mark Ziller, Innovetive Petcare’s President & CEO, says, “We are  very excited to have the Veterinary Referral Hospital of Hickory team join the Innovetive Petcare family, and look forward to supporting their vision and legacy.” Innovetive Petcare seeks to acquire other general and referral veterinary practices as it continues to build the nation’s premier family of veterinary hospitals.