Guidance for Veterinarians Looking to Open Their Own Practice
This article is part of Vetcelerator’s interview series for veterinarians and pet care professionals that want to start their own practice. If you are interested in veterinary practice ownership, read our other interviews in this series.
A Conversation with Blaine Zaffos, Bank of America
Vetcelerator supports growth, and growth has to start somewhere. For certain veterinarians or pet care professionals, growth starts with opening their own practice. In this conversation, Blaine Zaffos from Bank of America Practice Solutions talks about how to finance independent veterinary ownership through what today’s financial landscape looks like for aspiring practice owners and what it really takes to get started.
About Blaine Zaffos
“I’m Blaine Zaffos with Bank of America Practice Solutions. I work in our veterinary lending group, dealing with the day in and day out specifically for managing our veterinary lending efforts across a six- or seven-state territory here in the Midwest. I have about ten counterparts spread across the country that are here to help veterinarians get into private practice ownership.”
Veterinary Clinic Ownership Is Still in High Demand
Despite shifts in the industry, interest in private practice ownership remains strong in 2026. Blaine notes that while acquisitions have historically dominated, more veterinarians are now choosing to build from the ground up.
“One difference that we’re seeing from historical trends over the past 5–7 years is that we’re seeing a lot of veterinarians start up a practice rather than going the acquisition route.”
What’s driving veterinarians toward ownership is something deeper. This signals a broader shift toward independence and long-term control.
Ownership Is About Control and Direction
The motivation to own a practice often goes beyond financial gain. Many veterinarians realize they are already contributing at a high level within their current roles. Ownership provides the opportunity to shape culture and build something aligned with their vision.
This desire for control and autonomy continues to drive the shift toward independent ownership, especially as corporate consolidation increases across the industry. Once the decision is made to start a new veterinary clinic or pet care facility, the next question becomes how to approach ownership in a way that aligns with that vision.
There Is No Single Path to Veterinary Clinic Ownership
Veterinarians typically approach ownership in one of three ways: buying an existing practice, building from scratch, or leasing a space and developing a new clinic. According to Blaine, veterinary professionals looking to open their own practice should be flexible.
Opportunities don’t always follow a predictable path. The right acquisition may appear unexpectedly, while in other cases, a lease opportunity becomes the ideal starting point. Today, the majority of new builds begin in leased spaces, offering a more accessible entry point into ownership. The most successful owners remain open and ready to act when the right opportunity presents itself.
Of course, going down a path is only part of the equation. Finding the right opportunity is where the process becomes real.
The Right Network Creates Opportunities
Finding the right practice (or the right starting point) rarely happens in isolation.
Practice brokers are often the first stop, as they represent sellers and manage listings. But some of the most valuable opportunities come from relationships.
Bankers, CPAs, and attorneys frequently have visibility into deals before they reach the broader market. Building these connections early can open doors to veterinary clinic ownership that wouldn’t otherwise be visible.
Ownership is a network-driven process, and as access to opportunities expands, so does the readiness of the veterinarians pursuing them.
Today’s Buyers Are More Prepared Than Ever
One of the most notable shifts in recent years is the level of preparedness among aspiring owners.
Veterinarians are entering the process with experience across both private and corporate settings. They have a clearer understanding of what they want their practice to look like operationally, culturally, and financially. Clarity leads to stronger decision-making.
At the same time, preparation is never complete. The process of ownership requires continuous learning, especially as financial and operational complexity increases. That preparation becomes even more valuable when it’s paired with early financial clarity.
Start the Financial Conversation Early
A common mistake is waiting too long to engage with a lender about financing veterinary clinic ownership. Blaine emphasizes that the best time to start the conversation is well before you’re ready to buy or build.
“It’s never too early. As soon as a veterinarian starts to have a thought about getting into practice ownership, talk to a bank.”
Talking to a bank helps you understand financing, debt expectations, and how to prepare your personal finances. This early clarity removes uncertainty later in the process. One of the biggest areas where that clarity matters most is around debt.
Veterinarian Student Debt Is Not a Barrier
A big concern among veterinarians looking to open their own practice is student loan debt, often exceeding $400,000. However, from a lending perspective, this is not unusual.
Lenders like Bank of America view student debt as a standard part of the profession. Rather than disqualifying borrowers, it is simply factored into the overall financial picture.
The takeaway is straightforward: debt alone should not prevent veterinarians from pursuing ownership. And while debt is often the first concern, it’s far from the only factor lenders evaluate.
Veterinary Practices Are a Proven Investment
Risk is often overestimated. According to Blaine, the failure rate of veterinary practices is extremely low; it’s less than 0.5%.
“Generally speaking, if you’re buying a practice or starting one up and you’ve been working with us, there’s over a 99.5% chance that you’ll be successful.”
This level of stability is one of the reasons veterinary-specific lending programs like Bank of America Practice Solutions exist in the first place. They can offer more competitive rates and flexible structures for financing veterinary clinic ownership compared to general commercial lending. That level of stability is exactly why specialized lenders have developed a deeper focus on the veterinary space.
Industry Expertise Matters in Lending
Not all lenders approach veterinary practices the same way. Specialized lenders understand the nuances of the veterinary medicine industry, such as how practices generate revenue, how costs scale, and what healthy financials look like. This expertise leads to better guidance and solutions for aspiring veterinary clinic owners.
Working with the right financial partner can significantly impact both the approval process and long-term success. With the right financial partner in place, the remaining hesitation often comes down to perception.
Financing Veterinary Practice Ownership is Not as Risky as It Feels
For many, the biggest barrier to ownership is psychological.
“It’s not as scary as you would think.”
Blain’s perspective comes from seeing many veterinarians successfully make the transition. While the decision is significant, the path is well-established and highly supported.
In fact, many owners share the same reflection after taking the leap: they wish they had done it sooner.
Setting Up a Financial Foundation for Growth
This conversation highlights a critical truth: ownership starts long before a deal is signed. It begins with understanding your options and preparing financially for the opportunity ahead.
Vetcelerator sees starting a new veterinary clinic or pet brand as part of a larger system. Marketing drives demand, and sustainable growth depends on strong financial and operational foundations.
When those elements align, veterinarians are positioned to build a veterinary practice that lasts.
