Building Red Rock Veterinary Health: A Journey of Risk, Resilience, and Community
Starting a veterinary hospital from scratch is an enormous undertaking—one that requires vision, persistence, financial risk, and a lot of faith. It’s not something one person can do alone. It takes a team.
For us, the journey to opening Red Rock Veterinary Health began unexpectedly when Bear Creek Veterinary Care underwent a corporate acquisition, leaving me without a job. That sudden change set off a domino effect, forcing me to make a decision: find another practice to associate at for an indeterminate time, accept a medical director position at a corporate practice, or take a leap of faith and build something new—something better.
We chose the latter.
What followed was a process filled with challenges, uncertainty, and an incredible amount of hard work—but also one of teamwork, support, and belief in a shared mission.
The Financial Gamble: Betting on Ourselves
Opening an independent veterinary hospital in today’s corporate-driven world is a major financial risk. Every decision we made had to balance long-term stability with immediate financial feasibility. We qualified for a loan, but it was only so much for what we had to do.
One of the biggest decisions was whether to buy or lease a building. Buying would have given us security and would have been a better investment, but it would have also required putting our family’s home up as collateral—a risk too great to take with two young children. Leasing was the conservative, safer choice, but it came with its own challenge: spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on tenant improvements in a building we don’t even own.
On top of that, we had to fund construction, equipment, inventory, and staffing—all before seeing a single patient. There was never a moment when we weren’t thinking about the financial risks and the amount of savings we were burning through, but we pushed forward, believing that what we were building was worth it.
The Challenges of Finding the Right Location
Choosing a building wasn’t just about location—it meant navigating a host of unexpected construction and permitting issues. Since we weren’t working with a brand-new space—in fact, it was a vacant strip mall unit—we inherited a laundry list of problems:
- Electrical abnormalities – We had to update and modify wiring to meet safety codes.
- An aging HVAC system – Veterinary hospitals require specialized ventilation, which meant expensive upgrades and adding a roof top unit
- No Plumbing – We needed bathrooms, sinks, wet tables, eye wash stations, hoses & trench drains & we had to have it all connected to an aged draining system.
- Asbestos concerns – A serious but safely mitigated issue that added another layer of complexity.
- Permitting headaches – Delays that slowed our timeline and added stress to an already time-sensitive project.
Each issue was a reminder of how unpredictable this process can be, but also how important it was to keep moving forward. Sometimes it felt that the forward momentum was all we had in our favor.
Balancing Business, Medicine, and Family
While we built Red Rock Veterinary Health, we weren’t just focused on construction and logistics—we were still practicing medicine and working full time jobs. Time management became one of our greatest challenges.
Balancing full-time veterinary work with setting up a hospital meant long days, late nights, and endless to-do lists. But through it all, we never lost sight of what mattered most—family.
From the very beginning, Sharon and I made an agreement: if we were going to take on this massive undertaking, we would build the hospital in a way that allowed us to be present for our kids.
That meant structuring hospital hours to be “family-friendly”—not just for us, but for our team. I also made a personal commitment that no matter how overwhelming this process became, I would never miss wake-up or bedtime with my two sons. Those moments—reading books, tucking them in, making them breakfast, checking for monsters—remained non-negotiable. Because while building this hospital was important and all-consuming, being present for our family always had to matter more. Admittedly, that commitment wavered at times, but we perservered.
The Logistics of Launching a Hospital
Beyond construction, there were a thousand details that had to come together before we could open our doors.
- Selecting the right equipment – From X-ray machines to exam tables, everything had to be carefully chosen and delivered on time.
- Managing inventory – Stocking the hospital with medications, supplies, and everyday essentials before our first patient walked in. Keeping that inventory short, but efficient, was imperative with a limited initial cash-flow budget.
- Setting up lab services – Choosing in-house diagnostic equipment and establishing partnerships with reference labs.
- Vendor agreements – Negotiating with pharmaceutical companies and medical suppliers to ensure we had the best products for our patients.
- Marketing and outreach – Letting the community know who we are and what we stand for, before we even opened our doors.
Every decision was a team effort, and every step brought us closer to our goal. We leaned on our friends, family, and each other to keep going.
The Emotional Toll and Uncertainty of It All
Even with careful planning, there are no guarantees. We still don’t know if this business will be successful. The financial burden is real, and the risk is significant. Will we have enough patients to sustain the business? Will the community embrace our approach? Will all the hard work pay off?
The emotional stress of building a hospital from scratch is something that can’t be fully understood unless you’ve lived it. The pressure is immense, and the weight of responsibility is always there. But through every doubt and every sleepless night, we keep moving forward—because we believe in what we are building and forward momentum is powerful.
All we can do now is give it everything we have.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who believed in this vision.
To our team—you are the heart of this hospital. Lauren and Angela, your unwavering faith in this project and in me means more than I can ever express. You both turned down promotions and higher-paying jobs to be part of this journey. There were times when you worked without guaranteed pay, simply because you believed in what we were building. Your dedication, loyalty, and willingness to take this leap with us will never be forgotten. Red Rock Veterinary Health would not exist without you.
To the doctors and staff at Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic—we truly could not have done this without your help. You welcomed us in when we had nowhere else to practice, giving us a place to care for our patients and continue our work while we built our own hospital. Your support, generosity, and kindness made an incredibly difficult time so much easier, and we are endlessly grateful.
To our clients—thank you for trusting us with your pets and for choosing a locally owned, independent veterinary hospital. Your support means everything to us, and we are so honored to be part of your pets’ lives.
To our community—your encouragement and enthusiasm have kept us going. Starting a hospital is never easy, but having the support of such an incredible community has made all the difference.
And lastly, but not least, to my family for being that constant in a whirlwind of anxiety, stress, and uncertainty. I always knew that if we failed we would be able to figure it out together, somehow.
This journey has been filled with incredible challenges, but it has also been filled with hope, resilience, and an incredible team of people who believe in something bigger than themselves.
We still don’t know what the future holds. We don’t know if this will work. But we do know that we will give it everything we have.
Red Rock Veterinary Health is not just a veterinary hospital—it is a testament to what can be accomplished when people come together with a shared vision.
Supporting Your Local Animal Rescue
Local animal rescues like Happy Cats Haven in Manitou Springs play a crucial role in giving homeless pets a second chance at life and enriching our community. Particularly in the case of Happy Cats, they invest a lot of their resources in behavioral rehabilitation and creating a bridge that allows many cats a way to find a home. Supporting these organizations doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive. Here are some easy ways anyone can help these vital community partners thrive:
1. Donate Resources
Animal rescues rely heavily on donations to operate. Even small contributions can make a difference. Consider donating:
Monetary Support: A recurring donation, no matter the size, helps with operating costs like food, medical care, and facility upkeep.
Supplies: Many rescues have wish lists for items like pet food, litter, toys, and cleaning supplies. Check their website or contact them directly to find out what’s needed most.
2. Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is a direct and impactful way to help. Most rescues need help with tasks like cleaning, socializing animals, and organizing events. Even an hour or two a week can make a big difference. If you have specialized skills (photography, handyman services, graphic design, grant writing), offer those too.
3. Adopt or Foster
If you’re ready for a new furry friend, adoption is a fantastic way to support a rescue and provide a pet with a forever home. If adoption isn’t possible, fostering an animal temporarily can free up space for rescues to take in more pets.
4. Spread the Word
Helping rescues reach more people is invaluable. Follow them on social media and share their posts about adoptable pets, fundraising events, or urgent needs. Community platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook are great places to increase visibility and educate folks on how easy it is to provide support.
5. Shop and Fundraise
Many rescues have partnerships with local businesses or online platforms that donate a percentage of sales to the rescue. Shop through these channels when you can. Additionally, hosting a small fundraiser—like a garage sale or bake sale—can raise awareness and funds.
6. Leave Reviews
Positive reviews on platforms like Google, Facebook, or Yelp help rescues attract more supporters and adopters. If you’ve had a great experience, share it online.
7. Advocate for the Cause
Educate others about the importance of adopting from rescues instead of buying from breeders or pet stores. You can also help by advocating for policies that support animal welfare in your community and paying attention to legislation at the ballot box.
8. Attend Events
Animal rescues often host adoption fairs, fundraisers, and community events. Attending and bringing friends not only supports the rescue financially but also shows them they’re valued by the community.
Every small action adds up when it comes to supporting local rescues. Together, we can ensure that organizations like Happy Cats Haven continue to provide care and hope to the animals that need it most.
Healing Power of Fear Free Care and Low-Stress Handling
As pet owners, we understand the significance of regular veterinary care for our beloved furry friends. But have you ever considered the impact that fear and stress can have on your pet's experience at the veterinary hospital and, consequently, on their overall healthcare? As a hospital, we prioritize Fear Free dog and cat handling, along with low-stress techniques, to ensure that every visit to the vet is as positive of an experience as possible. There are numerous benefits of these methods, not only for your pets but also for dedicated support staff, diagnostic testing accuracy, and the trust that develops between your pet and our hospital.
Maximizing the Veterinary Experience for Your Pet
A visit to the veterinarian can be a daunting experience for dogs and cats. The unfamiliar surroundings, strange sounds, and the presence of other pets can create a stressful environment making it challenging to feel at ease. Fear-free and low-stress handling techniques are designed to alleviate these anxieties and create a more positive veterinary experience because they are built on trust and cooperation.
Reduced Fear and Anxiety: By minimizing stress, fear-free handling allows your pet to feel more relaxed during their visit. When pets are less anxious, they are more likely to cooperate during examinations and treatments, making the process smoother for both them and the veterinary staff.
Enhanced Trust: When your pet associates the animal hospital with positive experiences, they are more likely to trust and cooperate during future visits. This trust is invaluable for their long-term health as it ensures they receive the necessary care without unnecessary stress, and veterinary staff are able to be more thorough with their examinations.
Better Health Outcomes: Stress and fear can negatively impact a pet and client experience, which can become a barrier to going to the vet. Fear-free handling helps encourage veterinary visits and improves early detection and treatment of medical issues.
Benefits for Animal Welfare
Low-stress handling techniques are not only beneficial for the pets themselves but also contribute to the overall welfare of animals in our care.
Reduced Aggression and Injuries: When pets are handled gently, respectfully, and are “heard,” they are less likely to become aggressive or injure themselves. This ensures the safety of both pets and veterinary staff.
Improved Handling for Aggressive Pets: Some pets may be more difficult to handle due to severe fear and stress or past experiences. Low-stress handling techniques allow even these pets to receive the care they need without causing distress or harm, which improves the thoroughness of our care.
Enhanced Recovery: Low-stress handling supports a quicker and more complication-free recovery process after surgical procedures or treatments. A relaxed and comfortable environment lowers cortisol and adrenaline, which can support the healing process and, again, helps to have a positive association with the veterinary hospital.
Benefits for Staff Welfare
Creating a less stressful environment for pets also has a positive impact on the well-being of our dedicated veterinary staff.
Reduced Physical Strain: Gentle and low-stress handling reduces the risk of physical strain and injuries among veterinary professionals. This results in a healthier and more productive work environment.
Enhanced Job Satisfaction: When staff can focus on providing compassionate care rather than managing stressed and fearful pets, job satisfaction increases. This, in turn, leads to better patient care.
Professional Development: Fear-free handling requires ongoing training for staff, leading to continued professional development and the ability to offer the best care possible.
Improved Diagnostic Testing
Another critical aspect of fear-free and low-stress handling is the significant impact it can have on diagnostic testing. High levels of stress or cortisol, often caused by fear or anxiety, can skew test results, leading to inaccurate assessments of your pet's health.
Accurate Blood Tests: Blood tests, which are crucial for diagnosing various medical conditions, can yield more reliable results when stress levels are minimized. This is especially important for pets with chronic conditions and who require repeat veterinary visits.
Precise Imaging: Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays and ultrasounds, can be affected by a pet's inability to remain still due to fear or anxiety. Low-stress handling ensures accurate imaging, leading to more accurate diagnoses and less false negative or false positive results.
Building Trust Between the Hospital and Pet Owners
One of the most significant benefits of Fear Free and low-stress handling is the trust it builds between our hospital, pet owners, and the pets themselves.
Improved Pet-Owner Relationship: When pet owners witness their pets receiving gentle and compassionate care, their trust in their hospital grows. This trust is essential for ongoing pet healthcare and preventive measures.
Enhanced Compliance: Pet owners are more likely to follow recommended treatment plans and schedules when they feel confident that their pets are receiving the best and compassionate care. This increased compliance leads to better long-term health outcomes.
Positive Feedback Loop: The trust developed between the pet, the pet owner, and their hospital creates a positive feedback loop. As pets experience less stress and more positive visits, they become more cooperative and relaxed during future visits, further enhancing their health and well-being.
Take Home Thoughts
Fear Free care and low-stress handling techniques are an integral part of providing the best care for our pets. This approach not only reduces fear and anxiety for your pets but also improves their overall health, enhances the well-being of animals and staff, and contributes to the accuracy of diagnostic testing. Furthermore, they foster trust and strengthen the relationship between our hospital, pet owners, and the pets themselves. I believe that these benefits are essential for the well-being of your pets and we are proud to support the Fear Free experience and low-stress handling as a fundamental part of the veterinary services our hospital provides. Moreover, we believe this experience should be a new standard of care within our industry.