From September 16 – 18, Encore Vet Group’s leaders hit the dance floor in Schenectady, NY for Ovation 2026, our annual event celebrating connection, learning, and inspiration for veterinary leaders across our practices. With over 140 attendees, including Practice Managers, Medical Directors, emerging veterinary leaders, as well as several of our Encore Veterinary Consulting client’s, this year’s theme was disco, and the energy was nonstop. Rhinestones, jumpsuits, and bright colors set the tone from day one!
Learning from Industry Leaders
Our attendees kicked things off with a lineup of speakers who brought fresh ideas, practical tools, and a few new dance moves:
- Dr. Adam Christman, MBA: “Same Mission, New Playbook: How Innovation Is Transforming What It Means to Be a Great Veterinary Hospital”
- Joan Marshall, SPHR, CPC, ACC: “Leading with Predictive Index Insights to Elevate Your Practice”
- Dr. Emily King: “The Wake You Create: Leadership Isn’t What You Say, It’s the Environment You Create
We were also grateful to our sponsor speakers, who brought their expertise and energy to the event. Thank you for supporting Ovation 2026!
Breakouts and Masterclasses
Thursday afternoon, leaders split into role-based breakouts, and our own experts led the way. We have so much expertise within Encore that many of our team members taught these sessions themselves.
Practice Managers dug into the COGS Masterclass, while Medical Directors joined Doctors Leading Doctors, sponsored by Zoetis. Then everyone came back together for Leading As One: Medical Director & Practice Manager Alignment, a session on how the two roles can lead in sync.
Friday morning, the creativity kept coming. The room turned into Bark Tank, our fun play on the show Shark Tank. Groups teamed up to dream up cool ideas on a variety of topics, then pitched them to the whole room so every attendee could leave with fresh inspiration to bring home!
Boogie Nights and Good Vibes
Ovation is never just about learning. It is also about fun and connection. The party started Wednesday evening with a Welcome Reception in full 70’s casual attire, featuring karaoke, tattoo artists, permanent jewelry, and more. Thursday began with optional Disco Yoga for early risers, and the day wrapped with a Live Band and Dance Floor!
Celebrating Excellence: Awards at Ovation
Thursday night, the glitter got an upgrade. Leaders dressed in their finest rhinestones, jumpsuits, and funky patterns for our Awards Banquet, where we honored practices that reflect Encore Vet Group’s core values and have improved, stayed resilient, and excelled in so many ways.
OWN IT Award
The OWN IT Award recognizes practices that take personal accountability for their results and show up authentically. Nominees were evaluated on financial stewardship, operational discipline, and how consistently they deliver on our care model, from profitability and efficient operations to preventive care follow-through and smart use of technology.
- Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital
- Providence River Animal Hospital
- Suburban Animal Clinic of Monroe
- The Pet Hospital of Granbury
- West Chelsea Veterinary
2026 Own It Award Winner:
SHARE IT Award
The SHARE IT Award recognizes practices that build genuine connection and communication with their clients, their communities, and the wider Encore team. Nominees were evaluated on client relationships, community involvement, and participation in Encore programs and support channels.
2026 Share It Award Finalists:
- Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital
- Island Hammock Pet Hospital
- Lake Pointe Veterinary Hospital
- Northfield Veterinary Hospital
2026 Share It Award Winner:
LIFT IT Award
The LIFT IT Award recognizes practices that invest in purposeful growth and learning. Nominees were evaluated on professional development, training completion, and how they help grow the veterinary profession, including skills training, internal promotions, hosting externs, and supporting fellow practices.
2026 Lift It Award Finalists:
- Grace Animal Hospital
- Williamsburg Veterinary Clinic
- Winterville Animal Care
- Veterinary Care Services of Milford
2026 Lift It Award Winners:
CELEBRATE IT Award
The CELEBRATE IT Award recognizes practices that cherish the calling of veterinary medicine. Nominees were evaluated on workplace satisfaction, such as employee retention and team tenure, and on professional pride, including local and national recognition and accreditations like Compassion Satisfaction Accreditation (CSAW).
2026 Celebrate It Award Finalists:
- Erlanger Veterinary Hospital
- Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical Center
- The Pet Hospital of Granbury
- West Suburban Animal Hospital
2026 Celebrate It Award Winner:
Most Improved Award
The Most Improved Award recognizes practices that made meaningful progress over the past year. It celebrates not just where a practice is today, but how far it has come. Nominees were evaluated on business performance, leadership impact, and team growth.
2026 Most Improved Award Finalists:
2026 Most Improved Award Winner:
Resiliency Award
The Resiliency Award celebrates practices that thrive in the face of challenges, demonstrating adaptability, perseverance, and a positive outlook.
2026 Resiliency Award Finalists:
2026 Resiliency Award Winner:
Practice of the Year Awards
Our Practice of the Year Awards honor the practices that consistently excel across all metrics, including our values awards, forward booking rates, emails on file, vaccine compliance, clients on autoship, client growth, bonding rate, EBITDA, revenue, staff labor, COGS, and vet labor.
2026 Practice of the Year Award Finalists:
- Ark Veterinary Hospital
- Big Creek Veterinary Hospital
- Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital
- Providence River Animal Hospital
- Suburban Animal Clinic of Monroe
- The Pet Hospital of Granbury
- West Suburban Animal Hospital
2026 Practice of the Year – Bronze:
2026 Practice of the Year – Silver:
2026 Practice of the Year – Gold:
CONGRATULATIONS to all of practices!!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
