A Thoughtful Exit for Veterinarian Owners: How to Protect Your Team, Clients, and Culture

For many veterinary practice owners, the idea of selling their business — especially to private equity — brings up a mix of emotions.

On one hand, the financial upside will be life-changing. On the other, there’s a deep concern: “What happens to my team, my clients, and my reputation if I let go?”

We hear it all the time:
"I'm worried about what happens to what I've built."
“I don’t want to sell out.”
“I’ve spent 25 years building something that actually cares.”
“I’m not just in this for the money.”
"Won't I get more value if I wait until the economy is better?"

And here’s the truth:
You’re right to be cautious.
Private equity has a reputation for cutting costs, changing operations, and putting profit before people. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In fact, the smartest practice owners are using private equity as a tool — not a threat — to take care of their team, protect their legacy, and secure their future.

Here’s how.

Not All Private Equity Deals Are Created Equal

“Selling to PE” isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. There are dozens of different buyer types, structures, and outcomes — and you have more control than you may think.

Some deals are:

• All cash at close, with a clean exit

• Structured with rollover equity, letting you share in the upside of future growth

• Designed to let you stay involved as a leader, mentor, or part-time advisor

• Focused on retaining your brand, culture, and operating style

Others? Not so much.

The key is not whether you sell — it’s how you sell, who you sell to, and on what terms.

You Can Protect Your People

One of the most powerful reasons owners decide to sell is to give their staff more opportunity, security, and benefits than they can offer alone.

In a thoughtfully structured deal, your team can:

• Gain access to better benefits, retirement plans, and continuing education

• Join a larger network of veterinary professionals for growth and support

• Work under new ownership that keeps your culture intact

But none of that happens by default.

You need someone in your corner to:

• Assess buyer track records

• Negotiate employment protections

• Ensure that promises made in LOIs are actually written into final agreements

You care deeply about your team — your deal should reflect that.

You’ve Built Something Real — You Deserve to Monetize It

For many owners, there's a strange guilt around selling. Almost like it’s “wrong” to get a return for your company. 

But let’s be clear:
You’ve likely worked 60+ hour weeks for years. You've carried the emotional weight of every tough case, every staff challenge, every emergency.

You’ve taken financial risks, missed vacations, and shown up on weekends because someone’s pet needed help.

If anyone’s earned the right to realize the value of what they’ve built — it’s you.

A sale isn’t selling out.
It’s the payoff of years of hard work.

The key is making sure that value actually lands in your hands — not a buyer’s.

“I Just Want Options — Not Pressure.”

We get it. Many of the owners we work with aren’t 100% sure they want to sell right now. They just want to understand their options. See what’s possible. Start to plan — without triggering anything official.

That’s exactly what we help with at Evergreen and that's why we were created with founders in mind first. 

We work with veterinary practice owners to:

• Help them understand what a sale could look like — without rushing

• Identify the right time and structure for their goals

• Run a competitive process when ready — to drive the best outcome

• Protect their staff, brand, and hard-earned reputation

And we do it all as your advisor — not as a buyer.

We don’t make offers. We make sure you get the right one.

Let’s Talk — No Pressure, Just Clarity

You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’ve been curious, skeptical, or just have questions, now’s the time to get some answers — from someone who’s been there.

Reach out for a confidential conversation with our President, Gary Behler — no sales pitch, no pressure.

📧 gary@evergreenforfounders.com
📱 Call or text: (484) 274-9047

Whether you’re looking to transition in 3 months or 3 years, the earlier you start planning, the more options (and leverage) you’ll have.

Selling your practice doesn’t have to mean selling out.
It can be the next chapter — done on your terms, with the right support.