About FEPC - Frisco Emergency Pet Care

Frisco Emergency Pet Care was started in 2016 by Heather and Michael LoSasso, emergency veterinarians frustrated by the politics and disappointing medical standards of their last employer, a local, (now) corporate practice.

What started as a “nights & weekends” alternative to the area corporate practices has become the 24/7 ER of choice for the independent (and some of the corporate) practices in the Frisco area.

Owning a business gives you the freedom to make your own choices; it also allows you to choose ethics over finances. – Michael LoSasso, DVM

Why does FEPC have a social worker on staff?

Because it is the right thing to do. We are one of 30 hospitals in North America to have a social worker, and one of only about 5 private, independent hospitals to have one (the rest are corporate practices, universities or large non-profits).

Our counselor works with clients making difficult decisions, follows up after the loss of a pet, and runs our pet loss support group meetings. She makes a great sounding board for our team, too!

We have never charged for her time or services, and we never will. This is an expense we are willing to bear as owners, because it is the right thing for our team and our community.

Why do we pay our veterinarians by the hour?

Because it's the right thing to do! Yes, our veterinarians might make more money working "on production," but at some point they will have to ask themselves if they are recommending treatments or procedures for their patients' benefit or for their own. We've found that production/salary (the industry calls this "pro-sal") fosters competition instead of collegiality - our doctors prefer working as a team instead of trying to create practices within a practice. This is a good thing for pet owners, too - our doctors don't have any skin in the game - they offer what they believe is best for your pet and help you make decisions for them and your family as a whole.

Why do we counsel euthanasia instead of treatment in certain circumstances?

Because it is the right thing to do! We took oaths to use our scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society and the prevention of animal suffering.

When we are faced with an older Golden Retriever or Pit Bull with a mass on the spleen that is bleeding, we could always recommend surgery. There are many ERs across the country that have made large amounts of money on these procedures. And we will take them to surgery, as long as the owners understand how grim the prognosis is and really want to move forward with this knowledge. Sure, we'd make more money taking them all to surgery, but making money is not the sole purpose of this hospital, and it certainly is not the soul purpose.

Why do we offer payment plans?

Because it is the right thing to do! If we can't make care accessible and affordable, how are we going to help you or your pet? We live in this community, and we want to help our neighbors! Using VetBilling, which is a fantastic system, allows owners to pay over several months - the downside for our hospital is that we are paid as VetBilling is paid, so we definitely have an exposure, and we understand why none of the corporate practices offer this kind of plan - it potentially affects the bottom line. But the freedom to make our own choices means we can choose ethics over profitability - that may not sound that smart, but helping people and their pets is why we became veterinarians in the first place.

Why do we pay 100% of employee health insurance, offer differentials for overnight and weekend shifts, and offer paid parental leave?

You guessed it, because it is the right thing to do! We've been in practices where we had to fight the "Board of Directors" to get health insurance for the employees, and we think that's just wrong. Our team is our backbone, and offering them a competitive wage and good benefits, including parental leave, is important to us (we have kids, too!).