Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Hand.
Hi Christy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I graduated from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (Go Dawgs) in 1994. I co-owned a practice for many years but sold my portion of the practice in 2015. My dream was always to design and build a practice from the ground up so in 2019, I applied for an SBA loan and took a leap of faith. We opened our doors in June 2020 in the middle of the pandemic and watched my dream could flourish into a reality. The world was quite different during that first year, and veterinary medicine was very different. People were home more and spending more time with their pets and even adopting new “family members”. We provided curbside service which meant pets were taken into the hospital for exams and treatment while clients remained in their cars. This was super hard on clients to be away from their pets but even more stressful in that this was a new business and many clients had not formed a relationship with us yet and now having to allow their pets to go in without them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Veterinary Medicine since the pandemic is busting at the seams. ALL veterinarians are busy- more pets per family therefore more patients to be seen. Pet are family members and owners want and expect exceptional care and specialist referral to correctly diagnose and treat their pets. Trying to keep up with the demand has been a struggle but at the same time a pure blessing.
Curbside was a hurdle for sure- veterinarians had never done services that way before, and we were all on a learning curve.
Cost of veterinary medicine has increased dramatically over the past several years- insurance is becoming more common for pets, which helps owners provide exceptional care for their pets.
There is a shortage of veterinarians and veterinary medical staff. The industry has not always paid support staff what they are worth, and many people have left the field for better pay and less stress to work in different industries. With the increase in demand with more pets to see and less support staff to handle the need, it creates causes challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sharpsburg Animal Hospital is a privately owned small animal hospital just outside Newnan, GA. We are a full-service hospital providing wellness exams, dental and surgical procedures, diagnostic testing, as well as boarding and grooming.
I am most proud of the service we provide- we strive to care for both the client as well and the pet. Throughout my career, I have loved being the veterinarian that sees that new family puppy or kitten for its very first visit and is able to maintain a relationship with the family for that pet’s entire life and when the time comes to be able to be the last person to help that pet complete his/her life. It’s a circle of life thing for me- I want to be there at the beginning and be there at the end, but never ever miss the amazing middle. The bond with the pet and family is what sets us apart.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m not much of a risk taker in life. I am cautious and prefer rules and guidelines. However, starting a business at the age of 50 was a pretty uncharacteristic risk for me. It felt pretty good!
I faced some serious health challenges in 2016-2017 and realized quickly that life was short and you are in charge of your happiness. I made a list of things I wanted to change or accomplish and close to the top of my list was to achieve my dream of building and owning a practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: sharpsburganimalhospital.com
