Country Hills Pet Hospital

SVA’s Veterinary Industry Expertise Helps Country Hills Pet Hospital Gain Clarity, Confidence, and Strategic Direction

Country Hills Pet Hospital isn’t a traditional veterinary practice. Led by Dr. Mark Thompson, owner, veterinarian, and hospital director, the practice has grown significantly over the years while staying focused on a staff-oriented philosophy and a highly leveraged operating model.

When Dr. Thompson first joined the practice nearly thirty years ago, Country Hills Pet Hospital was a small business. As the practice grew, so did the complexity of managing its financial, tax, and operational needs. The practice needed more than a local accountant; they needed an advisor who understood the veterinary industry and could provide guidance tailored to their unique approach.

The Need for Veterinary-Specific Guidance

“We had a lot of bumps along the way as far as people that didn’t really understand our industry and were trying to put us in a box,” said Dr. Thompson. “We ended up finding SVA and haven’t looked back from there.”

SVA provides Country Hills Pet Hospital with an all-in-one approach that includes tax planning, bookkeeping, reporting, benchmarking, and consulting. While industry benchmarks are valuable, Dr. Thompson says what makes SVA different is the team’s ability to listen first, understand the practice’s philosophy, and apply veterinary-specific knowledge in a way that fits Country Hills’ goals.

Clarity Through Reporting, Benchmarking, and Bookkeeping

SVA supports Country Hills Pet Hospital with reporting, benchmarking, bookkeeping, tax planning, and consulting services that give the practice a clearer understanding of its overall financial picture.

That clarity has been especially valuable as the practice continues to make strategic decisions for the future. One example is the implementation of a cash balance plan, which SVA introduced to Dr. Thompson. A cash balance plan is a type of employer-sponsored retirement plan that allows the practice to make tax-deductible contributions for owners and employees while building long-term retirement savings.

For Country Hills Pet Hospital, the plan created an opportunity to give back to staff while also helping manage tax liability.

Strategic Tax Planning That Supports the Team

For Dr. Thompson, the relationship works because SVA understands both the business side of veterinary medicine and the importance of respecting the practice’s culture. Rather than pressuring the practice into a standard model, SVA provides guidance that aligns with Country Hills’ values, goals, and staff-focused philosophy.

A Relationship Build on Listening

“They listen to what our philosophy and our goals are for our practice,” said Dr. Thompson. “They’re not just trying to put us in a box and compare us to another clinic down the road. They’re trying to help us reach our financial goals, and the philosophy of our practice is taken into account.”

Dr. Thompson also values SVA’s ongoing commitment to the veterinary profession. As an American Animal Hospital Association past president, he appreciates that SVA is actively involved in organized veterinary medicine through podcasts, associations, and industry events at both the state and national levels.

Commitment to the Veterinary Profession

“The big thing with SVA is that they have expertise in the business of veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Thompson. “That’s huge. As veterinarians, we’re trained to do medicine and surgery. We’re not trained to do the business side of it. It’s really important to have someone that’s specific to our profession give us leadership for that part of our business.”

For Country Hills Pet Hospital, SVA is more than an accounting firm. They are a trusted advisor, a knowledgeable consultant, and the right partner for a practice that does things differently.

A Trusted Advisor for the Future

“If someone asked me if they should do business with SVA, I would say absolutely positively,” said Dr. Thompson. “Not just because they help with your business and get your taxes done, but because they’re also a true consultant.”