Key Takeaways
- • COVE Animal Health, a Connecticut veterinary company backed by a private equity firm, announced a partnership with Windcrest Animal Hospital Group, one of Delaware's largest veterinary hospital groups.
- • The Windcrest group operates five northern Delaware locations: Windcrest Animal Hospital, Centreville Veterinary Hospital, Graylyn Crest Animal Hospital, Hockessin Animal Hospital, and Talleyville Veterinary Hospital.
- • Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal marks COVE's first expansion into Delaware.
- • The hospitals will retain their names and community identities while gaining access to COVE's clinical expertise, resources, leadership, and integrated patient services.
- • Windcrest cited the rising cost of recruiting physicians, investing in technology, and adapting to a changing profession as drivers for the partnership.
Summary
COVE Animal Health, a Connecticut-based company funded by a private equity firm, has announced a partnership with Windcrest Animal Hospital Group, a veterinary organization with five locations in northern Delaware, according to a company release reported by Delaware Business Now. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal marks COVE's first expansion into Delaware. COVE describes itself as operating veterinarian-led networks of primary care, emergency, and specialty hospitals across the Northeast and Midwest.
Under the partnership, Windcrest Animal Hospital, Centreville Veterinary Hospital, Graylyn Crest Animal Hospital, Hockessin Animal Hospital, and Talleyville Veterinary Hospital will retain their names and community identities while gaining access to broader clinical expertise, resources, leadership, and integrated patient services. COVE characterized the model as reflecting its mission to build integrated veterinary services for patients.
Tessa Olson, CEO of COVE Animal Health, said Windcrest's multi-location network already brings together primary, urgent, and emergency care across Delaware, which aligns with COVE's strategy of creating integrated hospital systems. She said COVE plans to support Windcrest's growth by expanding services, capabilities, and locations throughout the region.
Dr. F. Morgan Dawkins of Windcrest said the group's growth into a five-hospital operation providing 24/7 emergency care had increased the demands of recruiting and retaining physicians, investing in advanced technology and equipment, and adapting to a changing profession. Dawkins said the group chose COVE because its values align and that the partnership is intended to preserve Windcrest's culture and commitment to care.
Windcrest was founded in 1954 by Dr. William V. Gallery. Dr. Bruce Damme acquired the practice in the early 1980s, and together with Dr. Dawkins and Dr. Donna Namey, who joined in 2003, grew it from a single-doctor practice into a five-location group. Dr. Anthony Dallatore joined in 2020 following Damme's retirement. The hospitals currently serve dogs and cats, with select locations also treating birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other exotic animals.
Under the partnership, Windcrest Animal Hospital, Centreville Veterinary Hospital, Graylyn Crest Animal Hospital, Hockessin Animal Hospital, and Talleyville Veterinary Hospital will retain their names and community identities while gaining access to broader clinical expertise, resources, leadership, and integrated patient services. COVE characterized the model as reflecting its mission to build integrated veterinary services for patients.
Tessa Olson, CEO of COVE Animal Health, said Windcrest's multi-location network already brings together primary, urgent, and emergency care across Delaware, which aligns with COVE's strategy of creating integrated hospital systems. She said COVE plans to support Windcrest's growth by expanding services, capabilities, and locations throughout the region.
Dr. F. Morgan Dawkins of Windcrest said the group's growth into a five-hospital operation providing 24/7 emergency care had increased the demands of recruiting and retaining physicians, investing in advanced technology and equipment, and adapting to a changing profession. Dawkins said the group chose COVE because its values align and that the partnership is intended to preserve Windcrest's culture and commitment to care.
Windcrest was founded in 1954 by Dr. William V. Gallery. Dr. Bruce Damme acquired the practice in the early 1980s, and together with Dr. Dawkins and Dr. Donna Namey, who joined in 2003, grew it from a single-doctor practice into a five-location group. Dr. Anthony Dallatore joined in 2020 following Damme's retirement. The hospitals currently serve dogs and cats, with select locations also treating birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other exotic animals.
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