Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Oquist.
Hi Stacy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a small animal veterinarian in Wellington. I graduated from OSU School of Veterinary Medicine and moved to Florida in 2006. I purchased Courtyard Animal Hospital in 2021. Prior to that I worked for several other small animal hospitals in Palm Beach County as an associate. Being a veterinarian can be stressful and being a small business owner carries its own set of challenges, but I love what I do and enjoy coming to work every day. The road to veterinary medicine was more of a winding route than a direct pathway. I originally went to college to study engineering, but that didn’t really spark my interest. I took some time off from school and ended up working at a small animal hospital as a veterinary assistant. I loved working with animals and found the medical aspect so interesting. So I decided to go back to school. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree I was eventually accepted to OSU. After graduation I moved to Florida to be closer to my mom.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m not sure what you and your readers would find interesting, but one of the challenges that I have faced is that I have a significant hearing loss. I was born with normal hearing but as a young child my immune system attacked the nerves in my ears and I lost about 50% of my hearing before the doctors could discover the cause and start treatment. That has certainly created some difficulties for me throughout life, but I have never let that hold me back.
We’ve been impressed with Courtyard Animal Hospital, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is Courtyard Animal Hospital, a veterinary practice that treats dogs and cats in Wellington. We are known for our personal attention and top quality medical care for the pets that we see. We offer a wide range of services from wellness to surgery, dentistry, as well as both acute and chronic illnesses. We really like connecting with our clients and their pets. One thing that sets us apart is our commitment to low stress handling. We are known for using “pup cups” to help our patient be more comfortable during exams and to distract them for prodecures like vaccines or obtaining blood samples..
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The industry has changed so dramitically over the past 5 to 10 years that it is hard to imagine what the next 5 to 10 years will bring. Veterinary medicine has advaned at an exceedingly rapid pace. From advaned surgeries, to MRI’s to specialty care like oncology and dermatology, pets can recieve care to rival the best human medical standards. Many clients expect that level of care for their companions that they view more as family members than as pets. COVID saw a huge increase in demand for veterinary services and in some cases that translated to decreased availability of care. High demand, inflation and a strong labor market as well as supply chain issues all contributed to a significant jump in the cost of care. At the same time, many small, family owned practices have been purchaed by coorporations and private equity firms. Their only goal is to make money and they often don’t have the same personal connection with clients and thier pets. I think the biggest change the industry will face in the coming years the the fact that the cost of care may become out of reach for the average pet owner. Because of that pet insurance is a rapid area of growth. There is some concern that as the prevalence of insurance increases, so will their power over the practitioner. I think we are all aware of how human health insurace can dictate what type of care or treatment be received, often to the detriment of the patient.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.courtyardvet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtyardanimalhospital?igsh=MW1mMDU5NGUzc2dwYQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12LV8VHVU9b/?mibextid=wwXIfr
