A Proud History of Pet Health Care

We are proud of our history, our people and our contributions to pet health care. Scroll through our history to see how our past achievements improve the way we practice today.

1955 Practice Opens

Warren J. Wegert, DVM, starts a practice in Portland, OR, to provide high-quality veterinary medicine to pets.

1985

Scott Campbell, DVM, joins Dr. Wegert’s practice to support the growing client base.

1987

The robust practice outgrows its original location. The doctors build a state-of-the-art hospital with built-in VCRs and TVs to educate pet owners about the value of preventive care. Later this year, Dr. Campbell purchases Banfield Veterinary Hospital from Dr. Wegert.

1988

Optimum Wellness Plans® are developed to bring world-class preventive care to pet owners conveniently and affordably.

1994

Dr. Campbell opens a second hospital, inside a PetSmart® location in Washington state, to share the innovative Optimum Wellness Plan packages he has created.

1994

Understanding the value of full-service veterinary care at its stores, PetSmart invests in Banfield and the two groups sign a strategic partnership agreement. Founded in 1986, PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer in North America. PetSmart provides everything from pet food and products to grooming, training, PetSmart PetsHotel® and other services at more than 1,075 stores in the United States and Canada. More than 1,500 accredited training instructors also provide services. PetSmart PetsHotels are staffed with caregivers 24 hours a day.

1994

The first Central Team Support group is formed, with 25 trained professionals providing support and services to Banfield hospital locations.

1994

The Banfield Doctor Academy is launched, providing state-of-the-art training to Banfield veterinarians.

1994

To improve the quality of pet health care, Banfield develops medical protocols that are quickly adopted throughout the veterinary industry.

1994

Mars Incorporated invests in Banfield.

1996

The first Field Leadership meeting is launched to give Banfield field leaders leadership training and keep the entire Banfield team abreast of technology and practice improvements.

1998

The first Banfield charter hospitals open in Tennessee, Washington and Kansas.

1999

With the purchase of 114 other non-Banfield veterinary clinics at PetSmart locations, Banfield becomes the preferred veterinary provider for PetSmart.

2000

Banfield creates and staffs a new position — Medical Director — to support all its veterinarians and hospitals.

2000

Proprietary patents are issued for PetWare, the industry-leading pet patient software system developed by Banfield.

2001

Banfield launches the Banfield Learning Center, providing comprehensive ongoing training for all associates specific to each associate’s role.

2002

Banfield hosts the first Pet Health Care Industry Summit, a now-annual industry-wide event for veterinary industry leaders to solve problems, collaborate, build relationships and inspire excellence in veterinary medicine.

2002

Banfield establishes its first animal shelter support program — the Pet Adoption Rewards Program — providing information and resources to improve the care of shelter animals.

2003

Banfield produces the first edition of Anesthesia for the Pet Practitioner, outlining our anesthesia protocols, principles and care standards in an easy-to-use format.

2004

The Banfield Charitable Trust launches with the mission of keeping pets and their people together.

2004

The first Banfield teaching hospital opens at Western University in California.

2004

One million Banfield pets receive preventive care through Optimum Wellness Plans.

2005

Banfield collaborates with the National Autonomous University of Mexico to open a 12,500-square-foot teaching hospital in Mexico City, fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.

2006

The Banfield Charitable Trust Pet Food Drive initiative launches. The now year-round initiative collects food and donations to help feed hungry pets.

2006

Banfield Charitable Trust launches its Pet Advocacy Grant Program, funding nonprofits that help keep pets and owners together including temporary boarding and in-home veterinary care.

2007

Two million Optimum Wellness Plans sold.

2007

Partnering with Meals on Wheels, the Banfield Charitable Trust begins pet food distribution grants.

2007

Banfield implements its Pet Protect real-time wireless anesthetic monitoring system at every location. The system monitors vital signs and captures and stores clinical information.

2008

The Banfield.com patient portal is launched, giving pet owners online resources and information.

2009

Banfield Charitable Trust launches its Pet Peace of Mind program, providing resources to help keep pets and owners together during human hospice care.

2010

Banfield launches home delivery services for clients.

2010

The 750th Banfield Pet Hospital opens.

2011

Banfield launches its Client Experience Survey, giving pet owners the opportunity to provide valuable feedback to continually improve services and locations.

2011

Banfield releases its first State of Pet Health® Report, a first-of-its-kind analysis of medical data from dogs and cats seen at Banfield hospitals across the country.

2012

Banfield opens a stand-alone hospital outside of PetSmart in Portland. As part of the Grand Opening, Banfield launches a shelter services program, giving hospital teams the opportunity to provide free veterinary services to local shelter pets.

2013

Banfield opens its first hospital in Puerto Rico, located in Guaynabo.

2013

As part of its commitment to disaster relief, Banfield partners with the American Humane Association to sponsor a new 50-foot rescue rig for the Northeast region of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The rig provides emergency services to pets affected by large-scale natural or man-made disasters.

2015

More than 900 Banfield Pet Hospitals serve pets – and their people – across the United States and Puerto Rico.

2015

Banfield appoints Vincent Bradley president and chief executive officer.

2015

Banfield’s charitable arm, the Banfield Foundation, is launched as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to making a better world for pets.

2016

Banfield develops the Pet-Friendly Workplace PAWrometer™, the first-ever survey to measure employee and HR decision-maker opinions, to better understand the prevalence, impact and perceptions of pet-friendly workplaces and other pet-related policies.

2016

Banfield launches the Banfield Better Together Fund, a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that provides financial assistance to our associates impacted by disasters.

2017

Brian Garish named president.

2017

In partnership with the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), Banfield introduces the first annual Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report to help advance the profession.

2017

Banfield, including the work of the Banfield Foundation, is recognized among the “Civic 50” by Points of Light as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

2017

Banfield opens its 1,000th hospital in Franklin, TN. Shelter Services in honor of the opening spanned five days and provided services valued at nearly $25,000.

2017

Banfield welcomes Jesper Frederiksen as chief information officer and Jim Ashby as chief operating officer.

2017

Banfield announces Veterinary Student Debt Relief Pilot Program for veterinarians to help ease the financial strain for its more than 3,500 doctors.