For veterinary professionals thinking about buying a practice or navigating the balance between ownership and personal life, hearing from someone who has done it offers a different kind of perspective. Conversations that get into the real challenges, not just the highlights, tend to resonate more than any handbook.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC partner and veterinary law attorney Peter Tanella hosts the Just Vetting podcast, which brings together veterinarians, practice owners, and industry professionals for candid conversations about the business and personal side of veterinary practice. In Episode 4, Peter speaks with Dr. Jennifer Bauer about her path to practice ownership, how she manages the demands of the profession alongside motherhood, and the value she places on mentorship.
Dr. Jennifer Bauer on Practice Ownership
Owning a veterinary practice is a fundamentally different role than being an associate. The clinical work is only part of the picture. Practice owners take on responsibility for staff, finances, compliance, and the long-term direction of the business, all while continuing to care for patients.
Dr. Bauer discusses what motivated her to pursue ownership, the realities she encountered in the process, and how her perspective on the business side of veterinary medicine evolved over time. For veterinary professionals weighing whether ownership is right for them, her account offers a grounded view of what the transition involves.
Balancing Motherhood and Veterinary Practice Ownership
Veterinary medicine continues to be a profession where women make up a large and growing share of practitioners, yet the structures around work-life balance have not always kept pace. Dr. Bauer speaks openly about managing the dual demands of running a practice and raising a family.
Her conversation with Peter touches on the practical and emotional dimensions of this balance, including the decisions she has made about time, support systems, and priorities. For veterinarians in similar situations, this part of the episode offers both recognition and perspective.
The Role of Mentorship in Veterinary Career Development
Mentorship can significantly shape a veterinarian’s career. Dr. Bauer reflects on the mentors who influenced her development and the importance of paying that forward to veterinarians who are earlier in their careers.
Meaningful mentorship in veterinary medicine goes beyond clinical guidance. It extends to business knowledge, professional networking, and the kind of candid conversations about the harder realities of practice ownership that are not always covered in formal education.
Legal Considerations for Veterinary Practice Owners
Beyond the clinical and personal dimensions discussed in the episode, veterinary practice owners navigate a range of legal and business considerations that affect the sustainability of their practices. These include:
- Structuring associate agreements that protect both parties and support long-term retention
- Understanding the implications of bringing on a partner or selling equity in the practice
- Navigating regulatory compliance across employment, professional licensing, and facility requirements
- Planning for succession or eventual sale to ensure the practice value is preserved
Having legal counsel familiar with the veterinary industry can help practice owners anticipate these issues before they become problems.
About the Just Vetting Podcast
Just Vetting is produced by Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s veterinary law practice group, led by attorney Peter Tanella. The series features veterinarians, business owners, and professionals in the veterinary industry discussing the legal, financial, and personal dimensions of practice ownership.
Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s veterinary law practice represents practice owners, associates, and practice management companies on matters including acquisitions, employment agreements, partnership structures, and compliance. Peter Tanella has worked in this area for decades, making the firm one of the most experienced veterinary law practices in the region.
Connect with Mandelbaum Barrett PC
If you are a veterinary professional with questions about practice ownership, employment agreements, or any other legal matter related to your practice, Mandelbaum Barrett PC is available to help. Our attorneys work with veterinary professionals throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Visit our contact page to get in touch with our team. We look forward to hearing from you.