VetEvolve Expands Mid-Atlantic Footprint with First Joint Venture Partnership, Adding 51st Practice

February 10, 2026

Essex, MD – February 10, 2026 — VetEvolve, a leading community of veterinary practices built on the belief that strong clinical care and sustainable growth reinforce one another, today announced the addition of Gentle Care Animal Hospital in Forest, Virginia. The transaction marks VetEvolve’s 51st practice and its first joint venture partnership, underscoring the company’s continued momentum across the Mid-Atlantic and its differentiated approach to partnership-led growth.

Founded and led by Dr. Barbara Stevens, Gentle Care Animal Hospital will continue to operate under its established name and identity. The full-service practice provides comprehensive medical care, boarding, and grooming services and is supported by a team of four veterinarians.

The partnership represents VetEvolve’s third practice in the Lynchburg area, adding meaningful density within a five-mile radius of its existing locations. This regional clustering enables greater collaboration, operational support, and scale efficiencies — helping practices improve access, consistency, and the clinical experience while preserving their local roots.

“We don’t view care and growth as competing priorities,” said Catherine Howell, Chief Executive Officer of VetEvolve. “When growth is done thoughtfully, it creates the stability and capacity teams need to focus on medicine and client experience. Our role is to remove friction from the practice so veterinarians can do their best work — and build lasting value over time.”

VetEvolve’s joint venture model is designed for owners seeking both liquidity and continued participation in the future growth of their practice. By aligning clinical leadership with enterprise performance, the model supports continued investment in people, facilities, and systems while preserving owner voice and accountability.

“For me, this partnership reinforced that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of care,” said Dr. Stevens. “VetEvolve gives us more capability and support, while allowing us to stay true to who we are both now and in the future.”

Since its founding in 2014, VetEvolve has grown from a single practice to a network of 51 practices across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Backed by long-term investment and a purpose-built enterprise platform, the company focuses on enabling practices to deliver consistently high-quality care while building durable, long-term value for owners.

VetEvolve continues to see strong interest from practice owners and advisors seeking flexible partnership options and is actively exploring additional partnerships across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Media contact: Cara Whitley, Chief Marketing Officer, whitley@vetevolve.com

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About VetEvolve

VetEvolve is a community of veterinary practices focused on supporting owners, teams, and communities through partnership-driven growth. Since its founding in 2014, the company has grown to 51 practices across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. By combining local practice autonomy with the support of a collaborative network and scalable platform, VetEvolve helps practices strengthen care, improve client experience, and build long-term value.