February 2, 2018

Southern Veterinary Partners has acquired its fortieth animal hospital and welcomes Friendship Veterinary Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Florida to our growing network.

Based in Birmingham, Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP) is a veterinarian owned and operated a regional network of animal hospitals in the South with a goal of providing the highest quality veterinary care to companion animals with exceptional client experiences.   SVP is the largest veterinary management company based in the South.

With 40 animal hospitals across 10 states, Friendship Veterinary Hospital is Southern Veterinary Partners’ 7th location in Florida.  Friendship Veterinary Hospital is an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited hospital that provides care to companion animals and exotic pets.  In addition to Dr. Carter Zorn, the previous owner of Friendship Veterinary Hospital, SVP welcomes Dr. Kelly McKee, Dr. Karley Lopresti and Dr. Kelly Hurley to our team.

Dr. Carter Zorn says, “My decision to join Southern Veterinary Partners was rooted in my goal of always practicing quality veterinary medicine.  As the sole hospital owner, I was not able to dedicate the time I wanted to my clients, patients and staff.  As our industry changes, I saw significant benefits to the business model that SVP provides with their back office support. The collaborative approach between SVP and our team made me feel comfortable that the future of my hospital and my team members would be secure.”

Jay Price, DVM and CEO of Southern Veterinary Partners says, “It is only fitting that we partnered with Dr. Carter Zorn and Friendship Veterinary Hospital for our 40th acquisition. Dr. Zorn is a close friend of mine and the kind of veterinarian we all aspire to be. In addition to Dr. Zorn and his team, I am excited to welcome Dr. Karley Lopresti to the SVP family. Dr. Lopresti started working in my original clinic, Oak View Animal Hospital, as a high school student. I have had the distinct pleasure of mentoring and watching her grow through the years to become a great young veterinarian at Friendship. SVP is definitely a better organization today with both involved!”

Southern Veterinary Partners provides centralized support including marketing, HR, finance and inventory and purchasing management and enhanced benefits to the team members.

The hospitals retain their names, culture and local commitment to their communities as well as veterinarians and staff that provide their clients with high-quality veterinary care. Southern Veterinary Partners believes that leveraging its infrastructure allows the hospitals in its network to focus on medicine and their patients to facilitate best-in-class veterinary services and exceptional client experiences.