Firehouse Animal Health Centers, Denver, CO

Denver-based Firehouse Animal Health Centers is headed by Chief Executive Officer, Greg Waldbaum, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jed Rogers. Firehouse was founded in October, 2004.

Firehouse has built its regional group of animal hospitals predominantly through acquisition, primarily from long-established veterinarians who are nearing retirement or wanting to sell.

All Firehouse Animal Health Centers have been, and will continue to be modeled after the original facility in Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill facility is located in a historic building which originally housed the Firehouse Carwash, a well known landmark in central Denver.

All facilities combine the latest technology in pet care, the personal touch of a neighborhood veterinarian and such creature comforts for humans as loft-style brick buildings, flat-screen TVs and hassle-free customer service from the moment clients enter the buildings.

Denver businessman Waldbaum, a Dartmouth undergraduate and Washington University MBA, brings a background in start-ups, marketing, and mergers & acquisitions to the Firehouse model while Rogers, a Harvard undergraduate and Texas A&M-educated doctor of veterinary medicine, brings a strong medical background and experience in private practice.

Below is a brief reverse timeline of the history of Firehouse:

In January of 2008, Firehouse purchased Arapahoe Veterinary Hospital.. Over the coming months, we will enhance the facility, update technology, introduce new equipment, and increase our hours of operation. Arapahoe will become Firehouse Littleton, and ultimately will move to a new facility, tentatively planned for mid 2009.

In October of 2007, Firehouse merged the facilities of All Creatures and Colfax East Animal Hospitals into a new, state-of-the-art hospital, located at Colfax and Glencoe in Park Hill. With that move, Firehouse Park Hill was born.

In July of 2007, Firehouse purchased Dakota Ridge Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Kathy Wilks and her team were merged into Firehouse Ken Caryl, not far from the original Dakota Ridge location.

In June of 2007, Firehouse moved Firehouse Ken Caryl into a state-of-the-art, 6,600 square foot facility on the site of our original Willowbrook Animal Hospital.

In March of 2007, Firehouse purchased Gentle Pet Care, creating Firehouse Thornton. Since then, we have updated systems, purchased new equipment, painted and renovated the building, and upgraded both the interior and exterior boarding facility.

In August of 2006, Firehouse acquired two central Denver facilities -- All Creatures and Colfax East Animal Hospitals from Dr. Paul Oberbroeckling, who operated his veterinary practices for 18 years. Dr. Oberbroeckling continues on to this day as an active part of Firehouse Park Hill.

In July of 2006, Firehouse launched Mobile Animal Health. Mobile provides routine wellness house calls and transports pets.

In July of 2005, Firehouse acquired Willowbrook Animal Hospital in Littleton, which has now become Firehouse Ken Caryl. A new 6,600 square foot facility has since been built at the site of the old Willowbrook facility.

In October of 2004, Firehouse opened up its first start-up hospital in Capitol Hill. This facility has become the Firehouse flagship and currently serves over 5000 clients with 5 full time doctors.