From the moment Nicholas Outterson was old enough to hold a bottle for a newborn calf, he knew his future lay in caring for animals.
Growing up on his family’s farm, he was delivering calves by age ten and tending to the daily needs of the livestock with the kind of passion and purpose most people spend a lifetime trying to find. Veterinary medicine wasn’t just a dream, it was his calling.
While attending Colorado State University, that dream grew even bigger. Not only was Nicholas studying to become a veterinarian, but he also met Jill, a fellow animal lover in her final clinical year. Jill grew up in San Diego, California, where she always had an interest in medicine and a love for animals. For her, becoming a veterinarian was the perfect blend of the two.
Together, they envisioned a future built around healing animals and helping people—a shared dream of owning a clinic where care came first.
They moved to upstate New York in 2013. The opportunity to own a shared clinic came knocking seven years ago. A veterinary practice in South Glens Falls, New York, became available, and the Outtersons were ready to leap. But just when everything seemed lined up, unexpected delays threatened to derail their plans. That’s when a friend recommended reaching out to Andrew Ramsdell, Healthcare Practice Finance Specialist at TD Bank. TD Bank made it happen, finalizing the loan and giving the Outtersons the green light to begin their journey as owners of Moreau Animal Clinic.
From that moment on, TD Bank has stood by the Outtersons as their humble practice blossomed into a thriving veterinary hospital with 22 dedicated staff members. Most recently, the Outtersons relocated their practice to a much larger facility, expanding urgent care and offering additional services with financing from TD.
And while the clinic grew, so did their family. With three children under 12, three dogs, five cats, chickens, and honeybees, the Outtersons are living their dream in full color.
"Working with TD made all the difference in the world to us," Nicholas said. "It's been a great experience."
For TD Bank, it has also proved to be rewarding on so many levels.
"At TD, serving our communities is at the very core," Andrew said. "The compassionate care and the deep respect for the human-animal bond that the Outtersons and their team bring every day to the community, is truly heartwarming. I am glad that TD was able to step in and help finalize the loan that started this amazing journey of ownership, growth and care."
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The joys and challenges keep coming
Even after seven years, Nicholas says the pride and joy of building their business still feels fresh.
“Owning the practice gives me the freedom to shape a hospital the way I’ve always envisioned,” he said. “I’ve been working in veterinary hospitals since I was 13, and I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. We’ve built a culture where everyone’s voice matters, and we operate as a true team.”
The partnership with Jill has really helped build their practice as her focus has been the more complex internal medicine and dentistry cases. Like many in the veterinary field, the Outtersons have faced their share of challenges — from rapid growth and rising costs to the constant quest for balance. Managing the debt-to-income ratio in a profession where schooling is costly, and salaries don’t always reflect the workload is a tightrope many veterinarians know all too well.
"Veterinary practices are essential to the health and fabric of our communities and at TD, we bring deep industry knowledge and specialized financial solutions to support their growth," said Daniel Croft, Head of Healthcare Practice Solutions Group at TD Bank. "Our longstanding experience in the healthcare sector, especially with veterinarian businesses enables us to understand their unique challenges and needs. We are honored to be part of Moreau Animal Clinic's journey of growth and quality caregiving."
The Outtersons continue to navigate the complexities of ownership with TD and also make a strong effort for life-work balance. To ease the pressure and ensure their team’s well-being, they’ve expanded their staff to include five full-time doctors and a part time associate veterinarian. Nicholas is passionate about creating a work environment that values life outside the clinic just as much as dedication within it.
“You could easily spend every hour at the hospital—there’s always more to do," he said. "But it’s so important to step away, to be with family, to recharge.”
Another daily challenge? Striking the right balance between high-quality care and affordability for clients. It's a fine line, Nicholas explains, but one they walk with intention and empathy.
“We focus on education," Nicholas said. "When clients understand why a treatment is necessary, it’s easier to develop care plans they’re confident in. It’s not about upselling—it’s about trust.”
Jill is equally devoted to teaching and empowering pet owners through education. At Moreau Animal Clinic, that trust is built through genuine relationships and a deep respect for the human-animal bond. There’s no pressure, just compassionate care and a commitment to doing what’s right—for the pet and the person who loves them.
Their services range from preventative and wellness care to advanced diagnostics, endoscopy, laser therapy, urgent care, and more. But at its heart, the practice is powered by something far rarer: purpose, partnership, and a love for the animals—and people—they serve every day.
Tips for International Dog Day
As it's International Dog Day on August 26, Nicholas took the opportunity to educate dog owners with five tips for keeping your dog healthy and helping to live a longer life.
- Regular veterinarian visits where your dog is an established client, to avoid emergency or urgent care visits.
- Keeping up to date with core vaccines and preventative care.
- Keeping your pup fit and not overweight. Dogs in good shape live longer.
- Be prepared for problems and emergencies and the related expenses, either by getting pet insurance or by setting up a savings account for pet emergencies.
- Getting routine lab work, as a baseline and following up for life. Being preventative, rather than reactive is important.
More information
We hope you found this helpful. This article is for informational purposes only and is based on information available as of August 2025 and is subject to change. This content is not intended to be used or acted upon with respect to any client's specific circumstances. Loans are based on individual financial circumstances, subject to credit approval, and loan times may vary. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with your qualified professionals.