AOSN buys specialty practice brands in dentistry, dermatology, eye care and oncology

Animal Outpatient Specialty Network (AOSN) bought a group of veterinary specialty practices spanning dentistry, dermatology, eye care and oncology, and now says it is the largest dedicated outpatient veterinary specialty business in the U.S. The Newport Beach, California company counts more than 300 veterinary specialists and residents across its network.

The acquired brands include certain Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists, Dentistry and Oral Surgery for Animals, Dermatology for Animals, Eye Care for Animals and Veterinary Cancer Group clinics. AOSN gave no price or clinic count.

AOSN adds five specialty practice brands to its outpatient network

AOSN describes its network as specialist-led, covering dentistry and oral surgery, dermatology, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology and surgery. The company says it runs the largest residency program in outpatient veterinary specialty medicine and pitches itself as the employer of choice for veterinary specialists.

"These are outstanding practices with talented teams, trusted brands, and deep roots in the communities they serve," said Steven Mrha, Chief Executive Officer of AOSN. "We have tremendous respect for what these practices have accomplished and are excited to welcome them to AOSN."

AOSN says its investment in training and technology has helped it post industry-leading organic growth.

Percheron Capital owns AOSN and has backed other specialty platforms

AOSN is owned by private equity firm Percheron Capital, which lists it among its portfolio companies. A Mergr profile gives the same ownership and puts the company's headquarters in Newport Beach.

Percheron has a history in veterinary specialty. It took a majority stake in Animal Dermatology Group in January 2022, then described as the largest veterinary dermatology specialty group in the U.S. with more than 40 locations. In March 2022 it was named as the backer of Veritas Veterinary Partners, which launched with more than 80 specialty and emergency providers.

Percheron said in 2022 that it manages more than $850M in committed capital. Those are separate companies from AOSN. They show that specialty networks have taken different shapes, some built around one discipline and others around hospitals with emergency service.

What the purchase changes for referring vets, rivals and specialists

AOSN describes itself as a dedicated outpatient business, which sets it apart from hospital-based systems. National Veterinary Associates runs Ethos Veterinary Health as a specialty and emergency network of more than 140 hospitals, a structure we covered when NVA put Ethos leaders in charge of the whole company.

General practice vets who refer dental, skin, eye and cancer cases to these brands now deal with one parent company across several disciplines. Rival consolidators and independent specialty groups now compete with a network that says it employs more than 300 specialists and residents.

For specialists, the pitch is training and career path, the same one AOSN made in its announcement. Mrha described it as a chance to "set a new standard for outpatient veterinary specialty care."

AOSN said its residency program, retention record and organic growth position it to expand access to outpatient specialty care nationwide.

The next detail to look for is which markets the acquired clinics add.

Source: Animal Outpatient Specialty Network via PR Newswire