Diarra Blue, DVM, co-founder of Cy-Fair Animal Hospital, featured in “The Vet Life” on Animal Planet, is opening a PetSmart Veterinary Services (PVS) hospital in Houston, Texas. He is teaming up with co-owner Bianca Kirkland, DVM, who will serve as lead practicing veterinarian.
Cy-Fair Veterinary Hospital Team (Photo courtesy of Willie Blue).
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According to a company press release,1 Kirkland has always had a passion for animals and her veterinary career began at Cy-Fair Animal Hospital where she honed her skills alongside Blue and the team. At PVS Hospital Houston, some of the veterinary services will include preventative and emergency care, internal medicine, vaccinations, spay and neuter services, and dental cleanings.
“It has long been part of my mission and passion to provide growth and development opportunities for veterinarians of color,” Blue expressed in the release. “Through PVS, I am able to provide veterinarians with the opportunity to develop their clinical and business skills. From day one, Dr. Kirkland impressed me with his passion and attitude to warmly and effectively care for animals of companionship and people who come into our hospital. I couldn’t be more excited to go on this ownership journey with her.”
On “The Vet Life,” Blue and fellow veterinarians Aubrey Ross, DVM, and Michael Lavigne, DVM, treat viewers to a day in the life of veterinarians and according to Discovery,2 the trio “support each other while juggling home life with their families and professional life with their loving clientele of dogs and cats, farm animals and more!” The show helps inspire current and future veterinarians by covering these topics and, by opening PVS, Blue aims to enable more professionals to own their own practices.1
In June 2022,3 PetSmart launched PVS providing an independent franchise opportunity to veterinarians looking for space to start their own practice. “Our relationship with Dr. Blue allows us to give more veterinarians the opportunity to live their dream and own a veterinary hospital,” said John Bork, senior vice president of veterinary health services at PVS. “Together, we are working to reduce barriers to practice ownership through a supportive business model and put hospital ownership back in the hands of veterinarians so they can focus on what they love: caring animals.1
The official grand opening of PVS Hospital will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time for the community to visit, meet the team and learn about veterinary services.
The hospital is currently accepting new pet patients at 8380 Westheimer Rd in Houston, Texas.
The references
- Dr. Diarra Blue from Animal Planet’s “The Vet Life” opens a PetSmart veterinary hospital in Houston. Press release. PetSmart, Inc. October 3, 2023. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-diarra-blue-of-animal-planets-the-vet-life-opens-a – petsmart-veterinary-hospital-in-houston-301945217.html
- Veterinary life. Discovery Press Web. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://press.discovery.com/us/apl/programs/vet-life
- PetSmart Veterinary Services allows veterinarians to open practices in PetSmart stores. dvm360. June 7, 2022. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.dvm360.com/view/petsmart-veterinary-services-empowers-veterinarians-to-open-practices-inside-petsmart-stores