Some veterinary practices are built to sell. The best ones are built to last, and the sale takes care of itself.
That’s the story of Dr. David Cohen and Glenview Animal Hospital. It is a story that offers valuable lessons for veterinarians across Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin who may one day be considering a veterinary practice transition. Whether you are searching for a veterinary practice for sale in Chicago, exploring vet practices for sale near me, or wondering how to sell my vet hospital, there is something to learn from Dr. Cohen’s journey.
Earlier this spring, DVMmatch Midwest closed the sale of Glenview Animal Hospital, a respected veterinary hospital serving the Glenview community for decades. The transaction marked an important milestone and serves as a powerful example of what creates lasting value in veterinary practice sales.
DVMmatch President and Founder Thad Miller recently sat down with Dr. Cohen on the MatchPlay podcast to discuss his career, practice ownership journey, and the process of transitioning a legacy veterinary hospital.
🎙️ Listen to the episode here.
Four Decades of Veterinary Leadership
Dr. Cohen graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981, joined Glenview Animal Hospital in 1984, and became owner in 1985. For nearly forty years, he dedicated himself to providing exceptional veterinary care while building a thriving business and a loyal client base.
His philosophy remained remarkably simple: focus on the patient, the client, and your team. The business success will follow.
That approach helped transform Glenview Animal Hospital into one of the area’s most trusted veterinary hospitals. While many practice owners focus exclusively on growth metrics, Dr. Cohen focused on relationships. Over time, those relationships became one of the hospital’s most valuable assets.
The Part of Veterinary Practice Sales Nobody Talks About Enough
Most discussions about veterinary practice sales focus on valuation, EBITDA, financing, and deal structure. While those factors matter, they are only part of the story.
A veterinary practice is often the culmination of decades of hard work. It represents relationships, community trust, and a life’s professional accomplishments. For many owners, the emotional aspects of selling a practice are every bit as significant as the financial considerations.
Dr. Cohen openly discussed the challenge of deciding when the time was right. Despite having a successful practice and a clear path forward, the decision took years of consideration before he felt comfortable moving ahead.
This experience is incredibly common among veterinarians who ask questions like:
- How do I sell my vet hospital?
- When is the right time to sell?
- Who is the best veterinary practice broker for my situation?
- How can I protect my staff and clients during a transition?
As Dr. Cohen explained:
“It is an anxiety-ridden process to consider the sale of your life’s work. Jessica made the process so smooth. She handled all the bumps in the road with efficiency and calm. I feel very confident that she found the best fit for my clients, patients, staff and myself.”
The key word is “fit.”
While maximizing value remains important, most veterinary practice owners care deeply about who will carry their legacy forward. The right buyer protects the culture, supports the team, and continues serving the community.
That is why working with an experienced veterinary hospital broker or veterinary practice broker can make such a significant difference in the outcome of a transaction.
Lessons for Veterinarians Thinking About Selling
Build Long-Term Value Every Day
The veterinary practices that command the strongest buyer interest are rarely built solely with an exit strategy in mind. Instead, they are built through years of consistent leadership, excellent medicine, staff development, and client relationships.
Whether you ultimately pursue a veterinary clinic for sale in Chicago, a veterinary hospital for sale in Michigan, or a veterinary practice transition in Wisconsin or Minnesota, long-term value creation starts with daily operational excellence.
Start Planning Earlier Than You Think
One of the most common mistakes veterinary owners make is waiting until they are completely certain they want to sell before beginning the planning process.
Starting conversations early gives owners more flexibility, stronger negotiating leverage, and additional time to prepare the practice for market. Even if a sale is years away, consulting with a veterinary practice broker can help identify opportunities to increase value and improve transition readiness.
The Right Veterinary Practice Broker Matters
Selling a veterinary hospital involves much more than finding a buyer. It requires confidential marketing, valuation guidance, buyer qualification, negotiation expertise, due diligence management, financing coordination, and emotional support throughout the process.
The best veterinary practice broker serves as both advisor and advocate, helping practice owners navigate one of the most important decisions of their careers.
Whether you are exploring a veterinary practice for sale in Chicago, evaluating a vet hospital for sale in Chicago, or considering opportunities in Michigan, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, having an experienced veterinary hospital broker on your side can significantly impact both financial results and long-term satisfaction.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
Dr. Cohen spent four decades building something truly special. His success was not based on a strategy designed to maximize resale value. It was built through exceptional patient care, meaningful client relationships, and a commitment to his team.
When the time came to transition ownership, those qualities helped create a successful outcome for everyone involved.
For veterinarians considering veterinary practice sales in Chicago, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, his story serves as a reminder that the strongest practices are built with purpose, consistency, and care.
The sale is simply the final chapter of a much larger success story.
🎙️ Hear the full story in Dr. Cohen’s conversation with Thad Miller, President and Founder of DVMmatch, on the MatchPlay podcast.
Thinking About Selling Your Veterinary Practice?
If you are wondering how to sell your vet hospital, exploring veterinary practice sales opportunities, or looking for guidance from a trusted veterinary practice broker in Chicago, Michigan, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, DVMmatch Midwest can help.
Jessica Pasta specializes in veterinary practice transitions throughout the Midwest and works closely with buyers and sellers to create successful outcomes that preserve practice legacy while maximizing value.
Learn more at midwest.dvmmatch.com or contact Jessica Pasta directly at jpasta@dvmmatch.com.