Dr. Joel Parker
DVM, BSc, HCA Licensed Consultant, Vetrapreneur, Speaker, Author, Champion of Private Practice Ownership, and Creator of The Standing Ovation Practice™
Two years after graduating from veterinary school, Joel Parker took a leap of faith into private practice ownership. Initially, the demands of daily operations consumed his time, leaving little for family and creating the overwhelming stress of uncontrolled ownership. A pivotal moment—managing a surgery while fielding a call from the bank—sparked a quest for a solution. Joel discovered a proven management system that restored balance, delivering both time and financial freedom. By implementing these principles, he transformed his practice in a highly competitive market into a Standing Ovation Practice™—a model defined by exceptional care and an above-and-beyond client experience.
This success fueled two additional ventures: Veterinary Endoscopy Solutions (“Fiberoptics for Unusual Places™”), a mobile referral endoscopy service, and Canine Equipment (“Gear Fer Dogs™”), a globally distributed manufacturer of premium dog training products.
With Veterinary Endoscopy Solutions Joel was able to pursue a growing passion in field of Canine and Feline Nutrition. The experience of years of patient endoscopic procedures provided the necessary background to question existing views on nutrition, replacing them with practical, healthy alternatives. His experience brought him to onboard as an advisor for the Mars Corporation and the brands Walthams and Royal Canin. He completed two advisory trip to the production plants in Ontario and Waltham, England.
After 15 years of thriving practice ownership, Joel recognized his passion for empowering others. In 2004, he founded Veterinary Practice Solutions (VPS), a consulting firm that quickly became a leader in veterinary management training. An early internet adopter, he launched the popular YouTube series Whiteboard Wednesdays and leveraged webinars to connect with thousands of private practice veterinarians.
In 2024, marking “20 years of overnight success” with VPS, Joel transitioned to a new chapter. He founded Parker Business Systems (PBS), a hybrid-style consulting firm with online training modules and live consulting calls dedicated to helping practice owners diagnose, optimize, and transform their businesses into Standing Ovation Practices™. PBS focuses on maximizing time and financial profitability while preparing practices for successful ownership transitions.
A lifelong advocate for private practice ownership, Joel lives with his wife and son between their homes in Vancouver, BC, Canada and Clearwater, Florida. When he’s not consulting or driving his favorite sports car, you’ll find him enjoying playing guitar, cooking and time with his small, delightfully quirky dogs.
