Rising Stars: Meet Elyse Kent of Marina Del Rey, Ca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyse Kent.

Hi Elyse, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to LA from Michigan after veterinary school, for an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at a large specialty practice in West Los Angeles. After that, I opened my first cat practice in Santa Monica in 1985. In 2000, I opened a much larger, multi-doctor feline practice in West LA. By this time, I was board-certified in feline medicine and surgery. I saw many complicated feline medical and surgical cases from all over LA, because I owned and operated the only feline practice in LA for over 25 years. I also taught students the skills of feline practice during 4 week blocks from Western University of Health Sciences-College of Veterninary Medicine. I accepted student interns and mentored young students and veterinarians from the US and international locations, acting as a mentor and role model in Feline Practice.

After 28 years of feline practice ownership, I began to search for a new practice pathway. I began to study canine medicine and surgery again. In addition, I developed a model for home veterinary care. This service provides many great benefits for pets and their families. It eliminates of the stress of transport; it reduces time wasted in waiting for exams and check outs; it allows for pain-free visits for arthritic dogs who cannot get into a car, and it provides for source of vet care for the pets of senior and disabled clients who do not have the option of going to a clinic. As a result, I founded Elite Veterinary Care, a mobile practice servicing dogs and cats on the Westside of LA, in 2018. We provide general wellness and preventative care services. diagnostic testing for diseases by collection and interpretation of blood, urine and fecal tests. We treat skin and ear diseases, gastrointestinal and urinary diseases, mobility problems in aging cats and dogs, and consultation on behavioral and nutritional management, all in the comfort of my patient’s homes. We provide hospice care and quality of life assessments at home.
I have relationships with specific referral and specialty practices for patients requiring imaging, surgery, dental procedures and internal medicine and oncology services. I still remain the primary veterinarian overseeing treatment and decision-making along with the specialists, after the referral.
I pride myself in prompt ongoing communication for all my clients, and am readily available for email or virtual consultations for follow-up and management of ongoing treatments.

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?
The early 2000s presented significant business challenges due to increased competition from numerous new veterinary practices that emerged within a small geographical area of my hospital. The economic recession of 2008 further exacerbated the situation, as veterinary care and boarding services became less accessible to many, leading to the eventual closure of Westside Hospital for Cats, a practice I cherished.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I became involved in leadership of the American Board of Veterinary Practioners, and spent 10 years moving up from the position of feline regent to the president of the council of regents. I really enjoyed being involved in the larger population of veterinarians, which included exotic animals, horses, beef cattle, swine and dairy cattle practitioners. Each of them had attained a high level of expertise in treating only one species.
I feel that my ability to negotiate and reach a compromise among council members was my strength in leadership.

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue to own and operate my mobile practice for many years to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eliteveterinarycare.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elite_veterinary_care/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteVeterinaryCare
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elite-veterinary-care-marina-del-rey