Being the Boss: Why Practice Ownership is the New Power Move in Vet Med
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), only about 25% of veterinarians in the U.S. are practice owners and most of them are over the age of 40. But that statistic is starting to shift.
In the latest episode of Vet Candy Pop, co-hosts Dr. Elan Armstrong and Dr. Shannon Gregoire dig into the growing trend of young veterinarians becoming business owners—and why ownership is suddenly hot again in the veterinary world. This show is brought to you by PRN Pharmacal, maker of Reconcile for separation anxiety in dogs. Learn more at reconcile.com.
Dr. Gregoire, who opened her own clinic in Auburn Massachusetts at just 28 years old, shares her firsthand experience of building a practice from the ground up. From startup stress to surprising wins, she reveals what it’s really like to run a clinic as a millennial woman in a traditionally older, male-dominated space.
Dr. Armstrong brings his own insights to the table, including how ownership can empower veterinarians to create the work environments they wish they had earlier in their careers. Together, they tackle everything from funding and mentorship to burnout and legacy.
“Ownership gives you a seat at the table—not just in how medicine is practiced, but in how teams are treated, how culture is shaped, and how the future of veterinary medicine evolves,” says Dr. Gregoire during the episode.
The conversation is fresh, unfiltered, and filled with takeaways for anyone thinking about ownership—or just curious about how the next generation is rewriting the rules of vet med.
Whether you're still in school, working your first associate job, or just dreaming big, this episode offers inspiration, actionable advice, and a clear message: you don’t have to wait until your 40s to own the future.
Catch the full episode of Vet Candy Pop streaming now on Youtube, Facebook.
