For more than a decade, Dr. Tim McMullan dedicated himself to building Pinnacle Animal Hospital into a practice centered on personalized medicine, strong client relationships, and a supportive culture for his team. So, when the time came to explore a partnership, he knew one thing for certain: he wasn’t looking for someone to change what he had built.

Instead, he was looking for a partner who could help his practice grow while preserving the values that made it successful in the first place.

“I spoke with five different groups when deciding who to partner with,” he said. “Heartland was the clear winner.”

For Dr. McMullan, ensuring both his clients and his team would be taken care of was non-negotiable. Partnership with Heartland offered him the expanded HR resources, stronger insurance benefits, and additional development opportunities he wanted for his staff, without sacrificing the care their patients had become accustomed to receiving.

Like many practice owners considering partnership, however, he had concerns.

After spending more than 12 years offering highly personalized care for his patients, he worried that joining a larger organization would mean sacrificing the autonomy that had allowed his practice to thrive.

“I didn’t want to end up as a cookie-cutter practice,” he said.

Instead, he found the opposite.

Dr. McMullan shared how he still makes his own clinical decisions, chooses his preferred vendors, medications, equipment, and supplies, and serves his community in the same way that’s always defined Pinnacle Animal Hospital.

“My partnership with Heartland has left me free to practice the way I want to practice,” he shared.

With the administrative and financial responsibilities of ownership lifted from his shoulders, Dr. McMullan has been able to refocus his time where he believes it has the greatest impact: mentoring his team, supporting his doctors and staff, and caring for patients.

That support has also created new opportunities throughout the practice.

Veterinary assistants are pursuing technician education, the practice manager has received leadership and financial development support, and investments in continuing education have allowed the team to expand dental services and introduce new therapy laser treatments. Following a hands-on training, nearly 80% of the team is now proficient in newly implemented dental procedures.

“I’ve always felt comfortable reaching out,” he said. “Everybody from bottom to top is super accessible and super helpful. That means a lot.”

For veterinarians wondering what partnership with Heartland really looks like, Dr. McMullan’s answer is simple: it’s not about changing your practice. It’s about giving you the support, resources, and trusted relationships to help it continue thriving – for your team, your clients, and the community you serve.