Veterinarian and Animal Planet star to open veterinary hospital in Houston

Diarra Blue, DVM, a co-founder of Cy-Fair Animal Hospital, featured on "The Vet Life" on Animal Planet, is opening a PetSmart Veterinary Services (PVS) hospital in Houston, Texas. He’s teaming up with part owner Bianca Kirkland, DVM, who will assume the role of primary practicing veterinarian.

Cy-Fair Animal Hospital Team (Photo courtesy of Willie Blue).

According to a company release,¹ Kirkland has had a life-long passion for animals and her veterinary career kicked off with Cy-Fair Animal Hospital where she fine-tuned her skills along Blue and the team. At the PVS hospital in Houston, some of the veterinary services will include preventative and emergency care, internal medicine, vaccinations, spay/neuter services, and dental cleanings.

"It's long been a part of my mission and my passion to provide opportunities to grow and develop veterinarians of color," expressed Blue, in the release. "Through PVS, I am able to provide veterinarians with the ability to grow clinical and business skills. From day one, DrKirkland impressed me with her passion and attitude to warmly and effectively care for the pets and the people who walk into our hospital. I couldn't be more excited to be on this ownership journey with her."

In the show, "The Vet Life,” Blue and fellow veterinarians Aubrey Ross, DVM, and Michael Lavigne, DVM, provide viewers with a day in the life as veterinarians and according to Discovery,² the trio “lend[s] support to one another amidst juggling home life with their families and work life with their loving clientele of dogs and cats, farm animals, and more!” The show helps inspire current and aspiring veterinarians by covering these topics and through opening PVS, Blue aims to empower more professionals to own their own practice.¹

In June of 2022,³ PetSmart launched PVS to offer an independent franchise ownership opportunity for veterinarians looking for a space to set up their own practice. "Our relationship with Dr Blue enables us to give more veterinarians the opportunity to live their dream and own a veterinary hospital," said John Bork, senior vice president of vet health services at PVS. "Together, we're working to reduce the 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 for animals."¹

The grand opening of the PVS hospital will be on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 12 pm to 2 pm central for the community to visit, meet the team, and learn about the veterinary services.

The hospital is currently accepting new pet patients at 8380 Westheimer Rd in Houston, Texas.

References

1. Dr Diarra Blue of Animal Planet's "The Vet Life" opens a PetSmart Veterinary Hospital in Houston. News 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
2. The Vet Life. Discovery Press Web. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://press.discovery.com/us/apl/programs/vet-life
3. PetSmart Veterinary Services empowers veterinarians to open practices inside 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