Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert Hutchison are the founders of White Whiskers Aging Pet Care in Colorado Springs, CO. This organization is the culmination of their many years of experience in the veterinary world and countless family dinner table discussions regarding what was missing in our collective veterinary experience. Their goal is to address the challenges that our dogs and cats (and we as veterinarians) often face in the traditional model of care. The world of veterinary medicine has undergone so many changes in the past 30 years, and new methods of improving the lives of our patients are constantly being uncovered. However, progress isn’t free, and there is a huge lack of time and resources to keep up with in the current veterinary community.  

Aging pets require a unique set of needs and more time spent with vets during visits. Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert focus on time as well as educating their clients as best as possible. They decided to create their practice around these two values while keeping their overhead low and knowing their boundaries. They targeted veterinary practices in their local area and positioned themselves as a support system for aging pet clients who need someone there to answer their questions in the evening and even spend time with them at home.

Our discussion includes how White Whiskers supports brick-and-mortar veterinary practices and how the practice is more collaborative than competitive. We talk about the importance of honoring your own boundaries to prevent burnout while still providing amazing service to clients. Partnerships are so important as well, and Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert are such great examples of two complementary counterparts. It’s easy to feel drained by trying to wear all the hats in your practice, so having others around you with varied skill sets can have a huge impact. End-of-life animal care is gaining traction, and if you’re considering starting up your own, you’ll have more opportunities in more densely populated areas. Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert currently have a waitlist and are looking to hire and expand their practice.