Veterinary Flywheel Balances Pets, Providers, and Profits
A veterinary leader argues the profession must redesign its model to simultaneously support pet health, provider well-being, and business sustainability
Veterinary medicine operates as a three-part flywheel powered by pets, providers, and profits, according to Dr. Bob Lester, chief medical officer at WellHaven Pet Health. He states that when these forces are aligned, the system gains momentum, but the current model risks limiting care access for millions of pets.
Dr. Lester, writing for Today's Veterinary Business, analyzes the profession's historical shifts. He warns that an overemphasis on any single component causes the entire system to wobble.
The Past: Pet-Centric Sacrifice
In past decades, the veterinary flywheel spun primarily around the pet. Practices offered remarkable access and flexible fees, with deep client relationships. Veterinarians often accepted non-cash payments, like jewelry or firewood, to ensure care. The pet side of the wheel functioned well.
This model demanded significant personal sacrifice. Burnout was common. Compensation was often modest, and investments in technology and teams were delayed. While providing a strong sense of purpose, Lester argues this approach was unsustainable. The provider and profit segments were underpowered, limiting long-term growth.
The Present: Provider and Profit Focus
The modern profession has shifted focus toward provider well-being and business health. Veterinarians now often work three- or four-day weeks with better compensation, boundaries, and mental health support. Concurrently, business sophistication and consolidation have strengthened operational margins.
This shift has clear benefits. Providers are healthier. Businesses are more stable and capable of reinvesting. Advanced medical care is more available than ever.
Every system has tradeoffs. Lester identifies a major downside: narrowed access to care. The crisis involves affordability, capacity, convenience, and workforce shortages. "Today, providers are healthier, and businesses are stronger, but tens of millions of pets receive little or no veterinary care," he writes. Access is now the defining challenge.
Redesigning for the Future
Lester contends neither the past nor present model is fully optimized. The solution is to redesign the flywheel to strengthen all three parts simultaneously. He proposes a multi-pronged approach without a single fix.
Expanding access will require workforce multiplication through team-based care and AI-assisted workflows. It also needs expanded access via telemedicine, mobile services, and spectrum-of-care approaches. Economic innovation is key, including improved pet insurance, wellness plans, and charitable partnerships.
The profession must balance multiple truths. Fair compensation for providers, financially healthy businesses, team well-being, and caring for more pets are all necessary goals. Achieving them demands creativity and a willingness to rethink how care is delivered. The future rests on designing systems where the success of one priority strengthens the others.
