In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson welcome Dr. Paul Fox, the owner and lead veterinarian at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital. Dr. Fox purchased the practice in 1994 , and it has since become a comprehensive care center in Northern Baltimore County, offering everything from diagnostics and dentistry to surgery and general treatment for small animals.

Dr. Fox shares his journey from an 11-year-old wanting to be a surgeon and cure cancer to becoming a passionate veterinarian. The conversation offers valuable lessons on business growth, continuous evolution, and the crucial role of relationships in the veterinary world.

Key Discussion Points:

• Origin Story: Dr. Fox recounts the early inspiration for his career when, as a child, he successfully bandaged his Weimaraner's ripped ear after a dog fight, leading a visiting veterinarian to tell him he would make a great vet.
• Acquiring the Practice: Dr. Fox explains the "right place, right time" opportunity that led him to acquire Mount Carmel Animal Hospital in 1994 at age 28. He discusses the early business moves, like centralizing inventory to save money, and the bank's willingness to grant loans since "veterinary hospitals don't go out of business".
• The Philosophy of Constant Evolution: Dr. Fox emphasizes that a business must constantly push the envelope and evolve. The hospital has continually invested in state-of-the-art equipment, such as acquiring an expensive ultrasound in the 90s when few practices had them, and more recently, a CT machine, to keep more specialized services in-house.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about animal health care, private practice longevity, and the challenging but rewarding business of being a veterinarian.