Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is expanding into Colorado with a new 3,500-square-foot veterinary surgical hospital at 1571 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver, marking the company’s first location outside Arizona after nearly a decade of operations in the state.
The Denver opening represents the company’s first step in an out-of-state expansion strategy aimed at bringing its high-volume veterinary surgery model to additional markets.
“Denver stood out to us right away because this is a community with a strong pet culture, a growing population and a real need for affordable surgical options,” said Doug Patriquin, co-founder and CEO of Dr. Kelly’s. “We identified several markets, but Denver was at the top of the list for our first expansion outside Arizona.”
The new hospital is slated to open in early October. The 3,500-square-foot facility is undergoing a complete, to-the-studs tenant improvement, transforming the space into a purpose-built veterinary surgical hospital.
The project includes a large surgical operatory, four prep/wet tables and kennel and run capacity for up to 40 dogs and cats. The specialized build-out was designed around Dr. Kelly’s high-volume surgical model rather than the broader range of services typically found in a full-service veterinary hospital.
Seven Points Construction, a Denver-based general contractor, is overseeing the construction, while TriArc Design, based in Phoenix, is providing architecture and interior design.
The Denver location will serve pet owners as well as rescue organizations, animal shelters and veterinary partners seeking surgical services at a lower cost than traditional full-service or specialty veterinary facilities.
Dr. Kelly’s expansion comes as veterinary costs continue to put pressure on pet owners. A PetSmart Charities-Gallup study found that more than half of U.S. pet owners have skipped or declined needed veterinary care, with 71% citing cost as the reason.
For Dr. Kelly’s, the Denver location builds on a model that has generated more than 250,000 surgical services over the past decade. The company now sees more than 30,000 pets annually, with rescue and shelter animals accounting for approximately 25% of its patient base.
Rather than operating as a traditional full-service veterinary hospital, Dr. Kelly’s centers its facilities around surgery and preventive care. The narrower service offering allows the company to design its facilities, equipment and operational systems specifically around those procedures.
“Our secret to being low-cost is focus,” Patriquin said. “Surgery is what we do, so we can invest in the right equipment and supplies without asking every client to help cover the cost of services their pet may never need.”
