Advanced Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Care

Entrepreneurs Investments

A veterinary practice can be defined as a business for the profitable delivery of veterinary medicine. Many veterinarians are under the mistaken belief that a successful practice will come from the delivery of effective veterinary medicine. The reality is that veterinary practices, particularly those providing small animal health care, are in an extremely competitive environment whereby the veterinarian must not only be a successful animal health care provider but also a practice manager and entrepreneur (Brown & Silverman 1999; Heinke2001; Shilcock2002). Although it is not essential for veterinarians to have formal qualifications in business it is considered important they have a foundational understanding of business practices relevant to the veterinary industry (Brown & Silverman 1999; Shilcock2002). This practice management and planning knowledge will assist the veterinarian to not only make a valuable contribution as a future employee but in many cases, understand the reality of self-employment opportunities.