New veterinary clinics and hospitals coming nationwide allows for a significant boost in pet care and service accessibility. These modern facilities, equipped with advanced technology and skilled veterinarians, prioritize exceptional medical treatment. Through the dedication of staff, these treatment centers not only enhance pet well-being but also strengthen the bond between owners and their companions.

Here are 3 recent clinic openings and announcements across the country:

Dylan Frederickson, DVM, owner, founder, and CEO of Boulevard Veterinary (BLVD Vet), and his wife, Kelly Frederickson, co-owner and director of design, opened their first BLVD Vet location in 2015. They have expanded their Chicago-based clinics to 4 locations in Illinois, with Lakeview East debuting in February 2023. This latest addition to their portfolio is the grand prize winner of the dvm360 2023 

 in the “under-8000-square-feet” category.

BLVD Cat coming summer 2024. (Photo courtesy of Dylan Frederickson, DVM)

Dylan Frederickson recently announced BLVD Cat is coming summer of 2024 in a LinkedIn post. This clinic is dedicated solely for feline patients and is a little more than 600 sq feet. "We've always been keen on cats at BLVD and dreamt of creating a wellness space that caters exclusively to them,” Dr Frederickson told 

According to Dylan Frederickson, the facility will be pursuing AAFP Cat Friendly Certification, Fear Free Certification, and will employ veterinarians and staff highly trained in feline medicine and handling techniques. When needed, clinicians will utilize the state of the art surgical, dental and digital radiology facilities housed at BLVD Vet Ravenswood next door.

Kelly Frederickson led the designs for BLVD Cat and opted for a space that appeals to cats and their owners, using a friendly yet soothing teal and coral pink color combination. There are custom cat perches in exam rooms and a fully equipped feline treatment area and lab.

Sage Veterinary Imaging clinic in Spring, Texas

Sage Veterinary Imaging (SVI) has now opened a new clinic located at 8101 Cypresswood, Spring, Texas which will serve pets in the greater Houston area. SVI is accredited by the American College of Veterinary Radiology as a teaching hospital, and the new Spring clinic will feature a 3T MRI, 128-slice CT scanner, high-resolution console ultrasound, echocardiography with full workups, and image-guided biopsies.

"When our pets are in pain, they can't tell us where it hurts. Our mission is to help find answers fast using our human-quality imaging, and work with local veterinarians to deliver the treatment your pet needs,” explained Jaime Sage, DVM, MS, DACVR, chief radiologist and founder of SVI, in a news release.

 "The technology we offer pets is comparable to services at the best healthcare facilities for humans. Due to the cost and complexity of operating a 3T MRI, this type of high-level diagnostic equipment is still very rare in veterinary medicine—but it's desperately needed. For area veterinarians, it means having a clearer picture of the problem that will yield a better outcome for the pet."

The Spring imaging center is now the third location for SVI with other imaging centers located in Sandy, Utah, and Round Rock, Texas.

UC Davis Center for Advanced Veterinary Surgery

The UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has expanded its Orthopedic Surgery Service to open the Center for Advanced Veterinary Surgery. This is a standalone center located near the veterinary hospital and encompasses 25 rooms and 7,300 square feet of space, including 3 state-of-the-art operating rooms. This expansion comes after UC Davis saw an increase in caseload which resulted in a 4 to 6 week wait for any non-life-threatening orthopedic surgeries.

“As the nation’s top-ranked veterinary school, we had a bold vision to create a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to providing life-changing surgical treatment for dogs, cats and other beloved companion animals,” said Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, in a release.

 “Our surgical specialists set the bar for innovative treatments, including total hip replacements with the ability to create custom, 3D-printed titanium implants if necessary. We are motivated to grow our capacity to lead a rapidly evolving field to even greater heights.”

UC Davis plans to have specialists through resident and fellowship training at this new surgery center. Ming Lu, DVM, MVM, MS, DACVS (Small Animal), joined the UC Davis team in 2023 and will focus on orthopedic surgeries in the new center.

“The Center for Advanced Veterinary Surgery is positioned to be a premier destination for orthopedic surgeons and pets in need of their specialized care,” said Stetter. “Through the center, our world-renowned specialists will continue to expand the reach of exceptional surgical care and forge new paths to helping companion animals enjoy optimal health.”

Sage Veterinary Imaging opens new treatment center in Spring. News release. Sage Veterinary Imaging. April 11, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sage-veterinary-imaging-opens-new-treatment-center-in-spring-302113421.html

Warren R. UC Davis opens Center for Advanced Veterinary Surgery. News release. April 16, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/uc-davis-opens-center-advanced-veterinary-surgery

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Take a look at these 3 veterinary clinics newly opened or coming soon

Clinic center: New hospitals opening across the nation

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) shared that it has received a letter of intent to form a clinical wildlife practice (CWP) specialty within the American Board of Veterinary practitioners (ABVP). According to the AVMA, the board is seeking comments from the public and profession regarding the new proposed specialty organization, following ABVS procedures.

In June 2023, the organization committee of the proposed specialty submitted it letter of intent, which was accepting by the ABVS during its meeting last month.

 The goal of accepting public comment is to gauge both the distinctness of the profess specialty from the specialties currently recognized and if it is needed by the public. The comments also gage the potential acceptance of the proposed veterinary specialty in the intended section of veterinary medicine.

Justification for intent to form an American Board of Veterinary Practitioners clinical wildlife practice recognized veterinary specialty

 submitted by the group, CWP wants to improve services to the public and stakeholders by helping people identify veterinarians who are competent and knowledge in the field. The intent of the new specialty is also to continue to support the publication of scholarly wildlife medicine and surgery as well as continue to create and support annual continuing veterinary medical education for professionals interested in the field.

The form also stated the CWP hopes with the recognition, the group will continue to work with academic, government, and non-government organizations to ensure the welfare of wildlife and humane care.

Currently, AVMA recognizes 22 specialty organizations and 46 specialties, all of which comply with the guidelines within the ABVS Policies and Procedures manual. 

For those interested in submitting a comment, the AVMA is asking for the public to refer to those guidelines when they are developing comments. Comments will be accepted through July 31, 2024, and the AVMA will have a one-page submission from the CWP organizing committee on its website that will detail the justifications and goals for the specialty.

 It will also include instructions on how to comment on the proposals, but all comments should be emailed to ABVS@avma.org

Comments invited on proposed clinical wildlife practice specialty. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. April 22, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/news/comments-invited-proposed-clinical-wildlife-practice-specialty

Comments open: Proposed specialty in clinical wildlife practice. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://www.avma.org/education/veterinary-specialties/comments-open-proposed-specialty-clinical-wildlife-practice

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s ABVS is seeking public comment on a proposal to create a new veterinary specialty in clinical wildlife practice

ABVS seeking comments on new proposed specialty 

An online parvovirus tracking tool was launched Tuesday, April 23, 2024—on the first National Parvo Awareness Day. The debut of both the ParvoTrack-

 and the new awareness day, which was created by Elanco Animal Health, is part of the company’s ‘Parvo is Poop’ educational campaign.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is highly contagious and can be fatal.

 In a January 2024 survey, investigators with Elanco found that there are an estimated 900 dogs diagnosed daily with canine parvovirus (CPV), and those that do not receive aggressive care in a timely manner face a mortality rate as high as 91%.

CPV infection can also damage the small intestine, and cause myocarditis in puppies, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. Although it affects older dogs, the virus is most-often associated with puppies ages 6 to 20 weeks.

The virus is easily spread through direct contact with infected dogs, their feces, or surfaces contaminated by the virus. These surfaces may include kennels, water and food bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands or clothing of humans who have handled an infected dog.

 The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, according to Elanco. It can also survive in the environment, sometimes for years, and even when infected canine feces are removed, in some cases.

Raising awareness about parvovirus—and encouraging veterinarians to be prepared with treatments in stock—is important for defeating infection, according to Bobby Modi, executive vice president, US Pet Health, Elanco. “It requires us to be innovative and bold,” Modi said in a news release.

 “The first-of-its-kind tracing tool is something that we’ve heard loud and clear from the veterinary industry is critical. If we can track and test for parvo, we can treat and defeat parvo.”

ParvoTrack-powered by Elanco is a resource available at 

 for veterinarians and dog owners. The tool allows individuals to self-report cases of CPV, and it identifies areas with outbreaks in real time. The digital platform covers the US with the ability to provide insights at the state and county levels too.

Jennifer Miller, DVM, veterinary technical marketer, Elanco US Pet Health Marketing. (Photo courtesy of Elanco Animal Health)

Until the launch of ParvoTrack-powered by Elanco, “there really wasn’t a national mechanism” to find where active pockets of CPV existed, according to Jennifer Miller, DVM, veterinary technical marketer, Elanco US Pet Health Marketing. “As cases are getting reported, alerts will also be sent out to folks that want to receive alerts,” she said in an interview with 

The alerts are not only useful for pet owners but also veterinarians, according to Miller. She said veterinary practices can deploy an educational campaign for their clients and provide a refresher to staff to remind them of virus signs they may see in patients, especially during its peak season.

“We see that this time of year, around April, is when we start seeing the kickoff to ‘parvo’ season. So, Parvo cases are coming in, and we're already hearing about outbreaks across the US. This is a great time to just make sure everybody's refreshed on signs of ‘parvo,’ where there is risk factors and treatments available,” said Miller.

The Elanco survey found that many dog owners do not know what this virus is and about 20% are unaware of its existence at all.

 The goal of National Parvo Awareness Day and Elanco’s ‘Parvo is Poop’ campaign is to spotlight the virus and, specifically, the topic of canine feces. According to the company, it hopes to spark conversation about parvovirus that leads to increased public vigilance.

Awareness of this common disease also helps owners learn of preventative measures like parvo vaccinations. This vaccine can be given as a puppy, and owners are encouraged to contact their trusted veterinary clinic for more information.

Miller said the awareness day was created with the intention of occurring annually on the fourth Tuesday in April. The month was chosen because web data has shown that online searches for information on parvovirus peaks in April. “This is really leading into ‘parvo’ season, when puppies are at the most risk for the virus, Miller said.

National Parvo Awareness Day has also been registered with National Today, a well-known online tracker of holidays and cultural calendars.

The overall awareness campaign is expected to feature “provocative” language and that’s intentional, according to Miller. “Part of this campaign is a mission to save a million puppies. We want to stop people in their tracks. We want them to take notice,” she said

As part of the Parvo is Poop initiative, Elanco is also offering a 50% off promotional discount for clinics’ first carton of the company’s Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) treatment, which received a USDA conditional license in May 2023.

 “By giving a clinic a 50% off promo, that enables the clinic to use CPMA in at least 1 dog at no cost to them, delivering this life-saving medication to their next patient [with parvovirus],” Miller said.

More information about the Parvo is Poop campaign and ParvoTrack-powered by Elanco can be found at DefeatParvo.com

Elanco’s ‘Parvo is Poop’ campaign unleashes awareness day and action on National Parvo Awareness Day. News release. Elanco. April 23, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. 

https://www.elanco.com/en-us/insights/elanco-s-parvo-is-poop-campaign-unleashes-awareness-and-action-on-national-parvo-awareness-day

Coppock K. Preventing canine parvovirus infections. 

. January 18, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/preventing-canine-parvovirus-infection

Canine parvovirus. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed April 23, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-parvovirus

Baker Institute for Animal Health. Canine parvovirus. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed January 18, 2024. 

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/our-research/canine-parvovirus

McCafferty C. USDA provides conditional license for the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/usda-provides-conditional-license-for-the-canine-parvovirus-monoclonal-antibody

Elanco Animal Health aims to generate education for the highly contagious virus that can be deadly to canines

Tracking tool is launched on the first parvovirus awareness day

Of all of the twists and turns my veterinary career has taken, I can’t think of a more rewarding or exciting accomplishment than starting my own practice. I think back on that period when it first opened and how proud I was to have my name on the doors. I had worked to secure financing to cover the purchase and renovations. It was truly an amazing time and I appreciate the person I was entering into that process.

However, I quickly grasped the magnitude of what I had done. I realized that there was a direct line between the amount and quality of work I did and whether I could pay the bills, plus an entire staff that depended on me financially. I had very little training or expertise on how to make payroll, let alone run a business. The gravity of these responsibilities weighed me down like a 3-ton elephant. I felt anxious, isolated, and unsure of my next moves. Fortunately for me, I received great mentorship and financial training that would help turn my outwardly thriving, but financially failing business profitable, and reflected the amount of work, blood, and sweat it took to build. Over the years, I talked to countless veterinary hospital owners who experienced these exact feelings. It’s not easy running a successful veterinary hospital while trying to practice quality medicine.

With all that I’ve learned in the last decade, starting my own practice is a decision that I would make repeatedly regardless of the challenges. However, I am now keenly aware that practice ownership is not for everybody. If you are considering starting your own veterinary practice, but don’t know what you don’t know, here are a few tough questions to ask yourself. I promise the answers to these questions will either set you on a journey to entrepreneurship or help you dodge an otherwise difficult and lonely journey.

This question, although simple and obvious, takes some deep internal thought. Sit quietly with this for a bit. Consider all of the reasons that you want to own your own practice and try to answer from a long-term perspective. For instance, if your answer is for money, you must first understand that there will most likely be no profit in the short term because you must build your business, pay off expenses, and work to gain and retain clients’ trust.

Dig deeper than the surface to answer this. What would that money allow you to do? How would it benefit you in years to come? Take the time to not only answer the question but understand how that answer will affect the trajectory of your life. Even though money is a strong motivator, maybe your reason is not financially based. Maybe you want to own your own practice because it’s what is expected of you or because you want to be the boss. Whatever your answer is, dig deeper. By getting to the root of your answer, you will have a more solid foundation that will anchor you to the business when problems occur.

Another important question to ask yourself is if you are a risk taker that is calculated not careless. Being a risk taker is a huge part of being an entrepreneur. Being able to properly assess risk versus possible rewards help you navigate hazards that could affect your bottom lines and outcomes. If the honest answer is no, you may want to strongly consider how that could affect your decision-making process when it comes to owning and running your hospital. Indecision often causes a lack of growth, creativity, and profitability in the business space.

Does practice ownership align with your overall goals in life?

Though most people have thought of the first 2 questions, this question is often not considered. Life is all about achieving balance in all areas, so is owning a practice going to help you achieve this goal in the long term or is it going to take away from you in other areas of your life? Do you have the physical, mental, and emotional capacity to endure all that practice ownership will throw at you? Doing a deep internal dig on whether practice ownership aligns with your overall goals and purpose in life can be sobering, but it’s necessary work if you plan on being a successful practice owner.

Practice ownership requires a certain level of mental strength, tenacity, and grit. It is critically important to do a full self-assessment when considering embarking on this journey. In answering the above questions, be honest with yourself and dig deep. Learn to ask yourself questions that may be difficult; but may stretch you beyond your current experience. Once you have clarity on whether practice ownership is for you, the process to get there becomes a bit easier to navigate. Continue to make it a habit to ask yourself difficult questions as you go along on your entrepreneurial journey. Those tough questions hold the answers you need to succeed!

If you are considering opening your own practice, be sure to answer these 3 questions first

Do you want to start your own practice? Here’s what you need to ask yourself

VolitionRx Limited announced that its Nu. Q Vet Cancer Test is now available to veterinarians across the United States and Europe through Antech, a veterinary diagnostics company. The Antech version of the product operates on the Element i+ Analyzer, providing veterinary teams with a quick, accurate, and cost-effective cancer screening tool for older patients or breeds that are high-risk.

"Through this collaboration, our groundbreaking Nu. Q technology is now available to veterinarians across the US and Europe, enabling vital canine cancer screening and providing in-clinic results within minutes. By incorporating the Nu. Q Canine Cancer Test into annual checkups or regular senior wellness exams, veterinarians can detect cancer earlier and help pet owners make timely, informed decisions about cancer care," said Tom Butera, DVM, CEO of Volition Veterinary Diagnostics Development LLC, in an organizational release.

Nu. Q Vet Cancer Test can be used during annual wellness visits for older dogs and breads that have a higher risk of cancer such as boxers, golden retrievers, beagles, and others. The test uses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based test that is noninvasive.

  If receiving a positive result, the veterinarian will need to confirm with a follow-up test such as a biopsy. According to the release, patients can have results within about 6 minutes.

"Antech's rollout of the Nu. Q Canine Cancer Test marks a huge step forward for Volition as we seek to fulfill our mission of ensuring our epigenetic technology is accessible and affordable worldwide, to detect and monitor disease earlier and improve outcomes," Butera continued.

Volition had an original license and supply agreement with Belgian Volition SRL and Heska, an Antech company also part of Mars Science & Diagnostics.

Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test launched in-clinic in US and Europe through Antech. News release. VolitionRx Limited. April 23, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nuq-vet-cancer-test-launched-in-clinic-in-us-and-europe-through-antech-302124578.html

Wilson-Robles HM, Bygott T, Kelly TK, et al. Evaluation of plasma nucleosome concentrations in dogs with a variety of common cancers and in healthy dogs. 

. 2022;18(1):329. Published 2022 Aug 31. doi:10.1186/s12917-022-03429-8

New cancer screening test for dogs now available. Published online December 1, 2020. Accessed April 23, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-cancer-screening-test-for-dogs-now-available 

Nu. Q Vet Cancer Test is now available through Antech 

Cancer test launches within US and European veterinary clinics 

The human–animal bond is an important part of owning a pet. From a poll of 600 people, Purina found that 80% of owners who have rescued a pet from a shelter say it is the most rewarding thing they have ever done.

 It is safe to say almost all pet owners love their pets immensely and would do almost anything for them to keep them happy and healthy. A new survey conducted by Cancer

's Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program

 analyzed 244 people diagnosed with cancer who have a dog or cat in their home. Sadly 44% of those surveyed feared they may not be able to afford their pets’ veterinary visits because of having to undergo cancer treatment for themselves. However, despite this fear, 92% of respondents said their pet was extremely important throughout their cancer diagnosis.

 So, it’s clear that the human–animal bond does not take a backseat after owners are diagnosed.

"Pets help their owners cope with the emotional aspects of cancer, especially individuals living alone," said Brian Morvant, program manager for Cancer

 "However, the physical, emotional and financial difficulties that may accompany a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming to even the most devoted pet owners, putting that cherished relationship at risk."

Before their cancer diagnosis, the majority of pet owners could manage to purchase pet food (93%) and cover veterinary expenses (91%). However, following their diagnosis, they struggled or were unable to afford pet food (77%) and veterinary appointments (78%).

"The expense of pet food, veterinary care, dog walkers, and boarding can add up. Cost is the main pet-related difficulty that owners face when undergoing cancer treatment," Morvant added. "Cancer drugs and treatment are expensive and physically taxing, to say the least. Our survey found that people diagnosed with cancer find it extremely difficult to take their pet to the vet, walk their dog or even afford pet food during this vulnerable time in their lives.”

Other findings from the survey include 86% of owners reported they needed part-time or occasional help caring for their pet. Additionally, 15% said they considered abandoning or pausing their cancer treatment in order to keep their pet because of budget restraints.

Some anonymous quotes from the survey stated, “I would stop my care first” and “I would die before I would ever give my dogs up” in response to not being able to afford pet care.

One respondent from the survey explained the bond she has with her dog, Manny. “He knows when I was hospitalized and when I came home and couldn't do anything, he was there to give me hugs. He is there when I'm having an emotionally bad day to keep me company and to cheer me up. He will come give me hugs and snuggle when the hard days get to be too much,” Ursula told Cancer

Another respondent reported paying for veterinary care becomes difficult when also having to purchase his own health products like extra vitamins, over-the-counter creams, protein supplements, and more.

’s PAW Program is to help people diagnosed with cancer stay together with their beloved pets.

Eight in 10 people who have rescued a pet from a shelter say it is the most rewarding thing they have ever done. News release. Purina. February 13, 2024. Accessed February 13, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eight-in-10-people-who-have-rescued-a-pet-from-a-shelter-say-it-is-the-most-rewarding-thing-they-have-ever-done-302059457.html

Cancer patients can't afford pet food and vet care, CancerCare survey finds. News release. CanerCare. April 18, 2024. Accessed April 22, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cancer-patients-cant-afford-pet-food-and-vet-care-cancercare-survey-finds-302119741.html

Morvant B. Cancer patients risk losing their pets, CancerCare survey finds. CancerCare. April 18, 2024. Accessed April 22, 2024. 

https://www.cancercare.org/blog/cancer_patients_risk_losing_their_pets_cancercare_survey

Affording veterinary care for their pets becomes another major stressor in their lives