The Affordability Gap In Veterinary Care - Insights, Market Trends & Practical Approaches To Supporting Pet Parents
0.5 CE Credit Hour / Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
The cost of veterinary care has skyrocketed in recent years, significantly outpacing inflation and wage growth. Meanwhile, pet parents overwhelmingly consider pets “family members” and regard veterinary care as a normal household expense as opposed to discretionary spending. The result is a widening affordability gap in veterinary care. This seminar, led by practice management experts Brian Carlson, MBA, and Jon Detweiler, will explore how these rising costs impact pet owners of all ages and income levels. Leveraging real-world data—, including $3 billion worth of loan applications processed on the Scratch Financial platform and payment data from over 1,000 US-based veterinary hospitals—we will explore how different generations are responding to the affordability challenge. Along the way, we will share experiences and strategies for practices looking to offer innovative and value-driven services aimed at attracting and retaining pet parents, who have more choices than ever before.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the factors that contribute to the rising cost of veterinary care in recent years.
- Examine the concept of the human-animal bond and its impact on pet owners’ financial decisions.
- Analyze how rising veterinary costs affect pet ownership across different demographics.
- Identify the challenges veterinary practices face in attracting and retaining younger pet owners, who appear to be more budget -conscious.
- Develop strategies veterinary practices can implement to offer competitive and relevant services to bridge the affordability gap.
Brian Carlson, MBA, hospital administrator/owner at Old Derby Animal Hospital and partner with Veterinary Business Builders
Brian is a veteran Hospital Administrator at Old Derby Animal Hospital and Partner with VBB. Brian has extensive experience leading large teams while shaping practice strategy for dynamic growth and success. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and having earned his MBA in 2021, Brian is driven to help Veterinarians and the industry realize the full potential of quality medicine, incomparable service and sound business practices. He has educated and shared his vision for practice potential in national, regional and local settings. Through collaboration and sharing of best practices, we can collectively lift up the profession- “A rising tide raises all the boats.”
Brian has navigated practice redefining efforts- practice expansion, multi-site management, launch of new revenue centers and reestablishing practice culture and identity. The success of any plan, large or small hinges on mindful design and precise communication.
Brian believes that we have been given a special opportunity to participate in the wonderful human-animal bond, we have a duty to honor the commitment our clients make to their pets and that the details of personalized service and open communication are what will set us apart from our peers. Brian is based and lives in Boston, MA
Jon Detweiler, hospital administrator/co-owner of Telford Veterinary Hospital and partner at Veterinary Business Builders
An experienced Hospital Administrator/Co-Owner of Telford Veterinary Hospital and Partner at VBB, Jon Detweiler is passionate about the journey of veterinary practice ownership and leadership. In 2006, Jon brought his extensive background in public safety management and leadership to Telford Veterinary Hospital where he successfully oversees daily operations in addition to strategic growth planning. Jon is a national speaker, author and educator on topics surrounding veterinary practice management and leadership as well as health and human safety.
Influenced by a BS in Management & Organizational Leadership; Jon believes that in pairing the talented individuals within a practice with critical processes and optimization, we are able to unlock the true potential of our practices.
Jon serves the public safety community by teaching first responders emergency veterinary care in the event working dogs become injured in the line of duty. With over 25 years’ experience in Emergency Medical and Fire Services; he continues to serve his community as a Commander for a regional SWAT team. Jon shares a home with his wife, Dr. Sharon Minninger in Souderton, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.
^Jon Detweiler and Brian Carlson are not employees of Scratch. They have been retained for this presentation..
This course is RACE-approved for 0.5 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
This activity is sponsored by Scratch.
