Our Founder

Dr. Sheila Fitzpatrick DVM, CVA, CEPA , Veterinary Practice Broker

Dr. Sheila Fitzpatrick, our founder, hails from Ellicottville, a charming ski town in upstate New York, just south of Buffalo. Her early years were marked by a deep love for skiing, which led her to become one of the top ten downhill skiers in the United States. She even reached the level of a certified ski racing coach. Presently, she resides in the scenic town of Vail, Colorado, along with her daughter, and finds delight in competing in cutting horse competitions.

In 1993, Dr. Fitzpatrick established her veterinary practice in the Vail Valley of Colorado, which she ran successfully until 2021 when she sold the thriving four-DVM practice to a renowned corporate aggregator.

In addition to her full-time veterinary practice, Dr. Fitzpatrick ventured into the world of commercial real estate. She acquired, designed, developed, and managed a multi-tenant commercial property.

Dr. Fitzpatrick’s membership in the Veterinary Management Group, an association of accomplished veterinary hospital owners across the United States, significantly contributed to her achievements as a practice owner. This group is dedicated to enhancing the long-term success of veterinary hospitals by offering exclusive insights, resources, and management training, focusing on areas such as marketing, design, development, growth, valuation, and sales of veterinary practices.

During her six-year involvement with the group, Dr. Fitzpatrick acquired invaluable real-world strategies for identifying and achieving meaningful Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in her veterinary practice. These strategies allowed her to maximize her EBITA, ultimately leading to an optimal sale price.

As of 2022, Dr. Fitzpatrick embarked on a transformative career journey, transitioning from veterinary practice into multiple specialized roles: a Veterinary Practice Broker, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, a Veterinary Business Valuation expert, and a Veterinary Talent Recruitment specialist. To earn her current distinctions as an Associate Real Estate Broker, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, and a Certified Business Valuation Analyst, Dr. Fitzpatrick dedicated herself to extensive studies in real estate, exit planning, and business valuation. In her various roles as a veterinary practice broker, consultant, appraiser, or recruiter, Dr. Fitzpatrick brings a wealth of experience to assist veterinary practice owners at all stages of their ownership journey.

Medical Director -Mountain Animal Hospital Center 2021-2022

As a veterinary medical director, Dr. Fitzpatrick was a crucial figure in the veterinary hospital, responsible for overseeing the medical operations and ensuring the highest standards of animal care. She played a multifaceted role, which included managing patient care and making critical decisions regarding medical protocols and treatments. Dr. Fitzpatrick served as a leader, mentor, and advocate for both the well-being of the animals and the professional growth of the veterinary team, ultimately upholding the clinic’s commitment to exceptional healthcare for pets.

Mountain Animal Hospital Center and Mobile Veterinarian, Owner and Developer, 1991 – 2021

Dr. Fitzpatrick’s professional journey commenced with an orthopedic internship and employment at two major referral hospitals before she found her place in the picturesque Vail Valley of Colorado.

In 1993, Dr. Fitzpatrick initiated her practice and forged enduring partnerships with local destination hotels and resorts. This collaboration allowed her to provide top-notch veterinary care to guests and their pets from around the world.

She carved a niche in equine dentistry and offered equine and small animal mobile care across three counties in Colorado. In 1996, she established her first hospital. Then, in 2001, she designed and constructed a new veterinary hospital. In 2015, she tripled its size while expanding the practice to encompass four DVMs, including three board-certified veterinary specialists.

In 2020, Dr. Fitzpatrick further expanded her veterinary hospital by creating space for an urgent care facility, a state-of-the-art surgical center, and a cutting-edge dental center.

American Animal Hospital Association, Veterinary Practice Consultant, 1991-1992

Before becoming a practice owner, Dr. Fitzpatrick served as a Veterinary Practice Consultant for the American Animal Hospital Association. During this period, she offered consultation to over 350 veterinary hospitals on methods to enhance the quality and standards of care. She introduced the first benchmarking program, enabling hospitals to measure profitability, develop tailored strategies, and identify Key Performance Indicators to attain long-term success.

Education

• NACVA – National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, 2023
• The Exit Planning Institute, 2023
• Kaplan School of Real Estate, 2022
• Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1991
• Cornell University, Bachelor of Animal Sciences, Ithaca, New York, 1986

Current Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Colorado Board of Realtors
• National Board of Realtors Vail Board of Realtors
• Colorado Veterinary Medical Association
• American Quarter Horse Association
• National Cutting Horse Association
• International Business Brokers Association
• Certified Exit Planner (CEPA)
• National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts