TWENTY-ONE VETERINARIANS IN COLLIN COUNTY, Texas, agreed they needed a lifesaver. Exhausted and wary from handling emergency
cases on their own, they decided to start an emergency/referral clinic in a small, leasehold storefront where they could send
their emergency cases. They found their lifesaver, but quickly had another headache to deal with: making monthly payments
on the lease. And as the years passed, it became evident that the Emergency Animal Clinic of Collin County in Plano, Texas,
was successful enough to warrant a free-standing facility.
So the group started saving and 19 years later began developing plans to build a new facility—a facility that was named a
2006 Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition Merit Award Winner. "We weren't doing this to create a huge profit center," says Dr. Jim Sharp,
one of the owners. "We wanted to continue to provide this area with outstanding emergency care and provide specialty care
in the same building."
Decision by committee
A committee of four owners was responsible for selecting and purchasing the site, interviewing and choosing an architect and
builder, obtaining financing, developing financial projections, and overseeing the construction process. And if they needed
to, they consulted with the other 17 owners. "I don't think anybody objected to what we did," says Dr. Sharp, who was on the
committee. "We didn't have anyone who was difficult to deal with in our group. We all wanted the same end results." 
Floor plan: Emergency Animal Clinic of Collin County
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One key goal was an effective layout for the treatment area. Multiple tables, good lighting, and space for equipment topped
the priority list. "We also knew we wanted the treatment area to be surrounded by the cages, runs, and IV setups so veterinarians
and technicians could easily evaluate critical patients," says Dr. Sharp. "And the layout has been just as effective as we
hoped."
To keep their plans on track for the rest of the 9,000-plus-square-foot facility, meetings were key. For two years, the committee
met weekly. "It was time consuming," says Dr. Sharp. "Fortunately, we had another veterinarian or two that could help us out
at each of our clinics." Once the process smoothed out, the group met less often—every two weeks—and now they continue to
meet every three weeks. "We still find we need to meet and discuss issues that pop up since completion relating to the building,
maintenance, and operation."
Where four corners meet
A look at the numbers
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One of the committee's first decisions was site selection. The Emergency Animal Clinic is in what Dr. Sharp says is a prime
location situated near major East-West and North-South freeways in the county. "The hospital is literally at the point of
contact of Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney," he says.
Also, to help create a financial buffer, the group decided to purchase more land than they needed. They hope to sell off the
land surrounding the facility in about five years to help pay down the mortgage.
During regular hours Dr. Sharp and the other owners lease space to an internal medicine practice and a surgery group. "That
lease money really helps us with our expenses. And in the future, we hope to add other specialities like dermatology, radiology,
and ophthalmology," he says.
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