Amanda Bertholf

Develop a crystal-clear picture of how pet insurance works.

Members of this Detroit-area management group see area practices as support-not competition

Dr. Brent Cook, the co-owner of Kingsbrook Animal Hospital in Frederick, Md., learned firsthand that helping his associates become comfortable with a new equipment purchase is key.

It's a jungle out there. With so many different species of practice owners running around, how are you supposed to know how to interact with them?

You are perfectly positioned to benefit from change. Here's how to make the most of three key management decisions.

Dr. Brad Zubowsky had a plan to own two hospitals ...

A major portion of the value of your practice is based on profitability. So to increase your practice's value, it's important to manage your profits, revenue, and expenses.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

This flashy system helps the team communicate without saying a word. Photos by Jessica Castillon.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The neighbors help create an image. Photos by Jessica Castillon.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Include just-for-team-member features in your new hospital. Photos by Jessica Castillon and Stephen M. Pullen.

Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Web-only HVAC, plumbing, and general floor plans for this year's Hospital Design award winner: Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Skyrocketing energy prices and concerns about global warming prompted the owner of Middlebury Animal Hospital in Middlebury, Conn., to invest in solar energy.

Dr. Charles Pullen was ectstatic when he learned his Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., was the 2008 Hospital of the Year.

This hospital in Panama City Beach, Fla., finds one home for all its services.

Dr. Gary Gallerstein knows that when clients bring their pets to the veterinarian, they're stressed out-and so are the pets.

Moving From a 3,500-square-foot facility into an 8,500-square-foot facility allowed Dr. Scott Linick, FAVD, to merge with another practice, hire two doctors, and add 7,000 new patients to his team's workload.

Temporary space, recycled materials, and the passing away of a family member: How one family pulled through and triumphed with their Hospital Design Merit Award winner.

When team members go from rolling with the punches to rolling their eyes, don't ignore it.

This California practice turned warehouse-sized space into wow.

Some might consider it over the top. But an affluent client base made high-end, luxury design a must for the owners of Calusa Veterinary Center in Boca Raton, Fla.

"Would my training be enough to get me to the finish line? Would I collapse and die?"

It's all uphill now for Associate Editor Amanda Wolfe's march to her first 5K.

Week two of Dr. Ward's training plan did kick the intensity up a notch ...