Hiring Veterinarians in a Difficult Market

Guest: Dr. Sheila Fitzpatrick
August 2025

In our first episode of the MEV Equine Express podcast, Adam Marcus talks with Dr. Sheila Fitzpatrick, a nationally recognized veterinary consultant, broker and founder of VP Veterinary Advisors and VP Veterinary Recruiters. With more than 28 years in clinical practice, business ownership and consulting, she specializes in veterinary operations, finance and transitions.

Dr. Fitzpatrick provides some tips about hiring new veterinarians and tells why she stopped practicing medicine.

A graduate of Colorado State University (BS 1987, DVM 1991), she began her career with the American Animal Hospital Association, where she helped pioneer financial benchmarking and practice valuations. In 1993, she founded and grew a successful multi-doctor practice in Vail, Colo., which she sold in 2021. She also developed and managed a veterinary-focused commercial real estate property.

Dr. Fitzpatrick has advised corporate consolidators on externships, acquisitions and exit planning, and she regularly speaks on practice valuation, recruitment, and transitions. She holds a real estate license and earned both the CEPA and CVA designations in 2023.

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