Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Heit.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story begins when I was a little girl, tagging along with my dad to work. He was a veterinarian and owned a small animal practice in Los Alamitos, California. I didn’t fully understand the medical side of what he did back then, but I knew how it made me feel—watching him help animals and the people who loved them filled me with a sense of purpose and admiration. I didn’t just want to be like him. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a veterinarian, too.
That dream stayed with me. In high school, I started working at my dad’s hospital as a kennel assistant. It was hard work—scrubbing cages, walking dogs, feeding patients—but I loved every part of it. Being around animals felt natural, and the connection I saw between veterinary medicine and compassion for others became even clearer.
During college, I took on a role as a veterinary assistant at a corporate animal hospital. I ended up staying there for nine years, gaining hands-on experience and learning how to manage the fast pace of clinical practice. I worked alongside seasoned veterinarians, built strong technical skills, and began to develop my own style of client communication and patient care. That time helped shape the clinician I was becoming.
Then, during my first year of veterinary school, my life changed forever.
My dad was on his way home from a veterinary continuing education course—still learning, still passionate about his craft—when he was involved in a fatal car accident. Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. He wasn’t just my father; he was my mentor, my biggest supporter, and the reason I chose this path.
But in my grief, I found clarity. I was more certain than ever that this was the work I was meant to do. I carried his spirit with me through every class, every exam, and every clinical rotation. When I graduated, it felt like a tribute to everything he taught me.
After veterinary school, I returned to the same hospital where I had once been a veterinary assistant—this time, as a doctor. It was surreal to step into that role, but it also felt like coming home.
Not long after, I was offered a position at a busy 24/7 emergency and general practice hospital. I dove into emergency medicine and ended up staying for seven years. The experience was intense and deeply rewarding. Emergency medicine is unpredictable, and it taught me how to think quickly, stay calm under pressure, and make critical decisions. I worked alongside some of the most knowledgeable and generous doctors I’ve ever met, and their mentorship helped me grow in ways I never expected.
Still, through it all, I held onto a bigger dream—owning my own animal hospital, just like my dad had.
In January 2024, that dream became reality when I purchased Brookhurst Animal Medical Center in Anaheim. Taking ownership of a hospital has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my life. My focus has been on building strong client relationships, fostering a team culture rooted in kindness and professionalism, and delivering high-quality, individualized medicine to every patient that walks through our doors.
Every day, I think of my dad—how he treated his clients, how he cared for his team, how he loved this profession. I strive to carry that legacy forward while building one of my own.
This journey hasn’t always been easy. But it has always been worth it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning my own animal hospital had always been the dream—but making it a reality came with more challenges than I ever imagined.
One of the biggest hurdles was financial. Like many veterinarians, I carried significant student loan debt by the time I graduated. That debt made it incredibly difficult to save enough to purchase a practice—especially one that included both the business and the real estate. Despite working steadily through college and vet school, it still felt like an uphill battle just to be in a financial position to take ownership.
To save enough, I worked as a relief veterinarian on my days off from my full-time job. There were stretches where I worked six to seven days a week—weekends, evenings, holidays—doing everything I could to make the dream happen. It was exhausting, but I kept going, fueled by a vision of owning a practice where I could shape the culture, elevate the medicine, and build long-term relationships with my clients.
In January 2024, that vision became a reality when I purchased Brookhurst Animal Medical Center in Anaheim.
But walking into ownership was only the beginning of the hard work.
Brookhurst had heart, but the clinic was outdated. We were still using paper charts for medical records. There was no scheduling system, no reliable phone system, and very little digital infrastructure to support efficient patient care. I had to implement a Practice Information Management System (PIMS) from the ground up, train my team on how to use it, and build workflows that supported both high-quality medicine and smooth day-to-day operations.
The team I inherited was kind and eager—but undertrained. Many lacked experience with basic technical skills and hadn’t been exposed to current standards of care. I quickly realized that one of my most important roles as a new owner would be not just veterinarian, but mentor and leader. I spent countless hours developing protocols, designing training systems, and working closely with each team member to build confidence, consistency, and cohesion. Culture doesn’t shift overnight—but progress is made one day, one conversation, one patient at a time.
Then there was the building itself. The facility needed serious work—from leaky plumbing and outdated lighting to worn flooring, aging equipment, and a long list of deferred maintenance. Managing renovations while also treating patients, supporting staff, and maintaining a growing client base was a daily juggling act. I was learning on the fly—about business management, human resources, IT systems, marketing, and everything in between.
There were many days I felt overwhelmed. Ownership is a crash course in leadership and resilience. Vet school prepared me to diagnose, treat, and perform surgery—but not to hire staff, negotiate vendor contracts, fix broken equipment, or navigate payroll.
And all of this unfolded while also being a mom.
Balancing business ownership with motherhood has been one of the hardest parts of the journey. There’s a constant internal tug-of-war—wanting to be fully present for my clients and patients, while also making sure my kids and family are taken care of. Some days, it feels like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
There are missed dinners, late-night charting sessions after bedtime, and the guilt that creeps in no matter how hard I try to be everywhere at once.
But I do it all with purpose—because I want my kids to see what hard work and dedication can bring. I want them to know that dreams aren’t handed to you; they’re built, hour by hour, brick by brick, through perseverance and love. I want them to see a strong woman who didn’t give up, who took risks, who faced every challenge head-on and created something meaningful.
Brookhurst Animal Medical Center is becoming the practice I always envisioned: one that delivers excellent medicine, fosters a kind and capable team, and puts genuine client relationships at the heart of every interaction.
We’re still a work in progress—but every day, I see the impact of the changes we’ve made.
The road to ownership wasn’t easy. Being a mother, a doctor, and a business owner all at once is no small feat. But then again, nothing truly worthwhile ever is.
We’ve been impressed with Brookhurst Animal Medical Center , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Located in the heart of Anaheim, Brookhurst Animal Medical Center is a full-service, privately owned veterinary hospital dedicated to providing high-quality care for dogs and cats. As both a general practice and an urgent care facility, we proudly serve our community with a wide range of veterinary services—from routine wellness exams and vaccinations to diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, and emergency care.
What sets Brookhurst apart is more than just our services—it’s our philosophy.
Owned and led by Dr. Heit, a passionate and experienced veterinarian, Brookhurst Animal Medical Center operates with a strong foundation built on trust, transparency, and teamwork. After years of working in both general and emergency medicine, Dr. Heit saw the need for a clinic that not only delivered top-tier medical care but also placed client communication and education at the forefront of the veterinary experience.
Recognizing that pet owners are integral to their animals’ well-being, Dr. Heit takes a collaborative approach to care. She spends time with each client, walking them through diagnoses, treatment options, and preventive strategies in clear, accessible language. Her goal is to ensure that every pet parent feels empowered and supported in making informed decisions about their companion’s health.
Brookhurst operates Friday through Tuesday, offering weekend availability to meet the needs of families when many other general practices are closed. This extended schedule helps us provide urgent care services when pets need them most—without the need to visit an emergency hospital for non-critical concerns.
As a full-service hospital, our capabilities include:
• Preventive care & vaccinations
• Diagnostic blood work & in-house lab testing
• Radiographs (X-rays)
• Dental cleanings & oral surgery
• Soft tissue surgery
• Urgent and emergency care
• Chronic disease management
• Senior pet care
• Nutritional consultations
But beyond the medicine, Brookhurst Animal Medical Center is a place where relationships are built. Our team is committed to creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment where both pets and their people feel comfortable and cared for.
Dr. Heit’s vision is clear: to build a practice rooted in integrity, compassion, and clinical excellence. Every decision made—whether it’s investing in medical technology, upgrading the hospital’s infrastructure, or training staff—is done with one goal in mind: to elevate the standard of care for every patient who walks through our doors.
At Brookhurst Animal Medical Center, we treat your pets like family—because that’s exactly what they are.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories takes me back to a time when my world was filled with stuffed animals—soft, well-loved companions who joined me on every adventure. Like many kids, I played with them constantly, and over time, they would get a little worn: a loose seam here, a torn ear there. But in our house, a ripped stuffed animal wasn’t something to be thrown away.
Instead, I’d take them to my dad.
My dad was a veterinarian and owned his own animal hospital. To me, he was a real-life superhero. Whenever one of my stuffed animals needed “surgery,” he would bring them into his clinic—just like a real patient—and carefully stitch them back together. He’d use his surgical tools and sterile techniques, treating my torn-up toys with the same care and precision he gave to his animal patients.
I remember watching him, completely mesmerized. He didn’t just fix them—he made it magical. He treated every tiny repair like it mattered, because he knew it mattered to me.
Looking back, those moments were more than just sweet father-daughter memories. They were my earliest lessons in empathy, precision, and the healing power of care. It’s no wonder I grew up wanting to follow in his footsteps.
In those quiet moments, with a stuffed animal on the surgical table and my dad by my side, the seed was planted—not just to become a veterinarian, but to lead with heart, the way he always did.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brookhurstanimal.com
- Instagram: brookhurstamc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookhurstamc
