Heart + Paw® Announces Veterinary Leadership Transition and Strategic Appointments to Support Continued Growth

Heart + Paw, a leader in high-quality veterinary care, grooming, and dog daycare, today announced significant leadership changes as the organization prepares for the next phase of its growth. Dr. George Melillo, Co-founder and Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), will step down from his current role in medical leadership, and remain as Founder, where he will focus on supporting team members and fostering the future pipeline of veterinarians and joint venture (JV) partner doctors. A visionary behind Heart + Paw's mission to reimagine pet care, Dr. Melillo has earned numerous accolades this year, including the Pennsylvania VMA’s Veterinarian of the Year award and a Corporate Leadership Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping Heart + Paw’s culture of veterinary-led operations and solidifying its reputation as one of the best veterinary groups to work for.

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“I am very proud of the practice we have built and excited that we are at a point where I can step back a bit and pursue other interests knowing that Heart + Paw is in good hands,” shares Dr. Melillo. "We have a strong executive team and senior leaders in place, a wave of upcoming talent, and are adding new locations. As I have reminded our team members, I will remain active in guiding Heart + Paw where needed and am eager to see the Heart + Paw story continue with petcare reimagined^®.”

Dr. Melillo’s legacy will continue to guide Heart + Paw’s evolution as he remains deeply involved in the company’s future success.

Effective January 2025, Dr. Mary Peacock will assume the role of Chief Veterinary Officer, overseeing medical leadership and practice operations. Dr. Peacock has been with Heart + Paw since its inception, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations, where she oversaw medical quality and daily operations. Before that, she held positions as Senior Director of Operations and Director of Implementation and Integration. A graduate of Wesleyan University and the Royal Veterinary College in London, Dr. Peacock is also a dedicated member of the Philadelphia community, actively engaged in educational initiatives to support the next generation of veterinary professionals. In her new role, Dr. Peacock will continue to ensure the delivery of exceptional care for pets while steering Heart + Paw’s operations toward its ambitious growth goals.

Reflecting on her journey with Heart + Paw, Dr. Peacock shared, “It has been a great privilege to be part of the Heart + Paw story from the very beginning—experiencing our early vision evolving now into 28 teams providing exceptional care every day, and a support center dedicated to helping them thrive. At Heart + Paw we have uniquely built a veterinarian-led operations team who applies the critical thinking and problem-solving skills we developed and honed as veterinarians to the challenges we face as a business. It is a great honor to be able to continue to collaborate with Dave Lasus and be a part of Heart + Paw’s story, carrying on the legacy of George, whom I have cherished working with for the past 16yrs. In my new role as Chief Veterinary Officer, I am committed to continuing Heart + Paw’s story of helping veterinary and pet care professionals be happy, healthy, and successful.”

Strengthening Leadership to Fuel Growth

In addition to Dr. Peacock’s promotion, Heart + Paw is further strengthening its leadership team to support its rapid expansion. With backing from Whistler Capital Partners, the company is accelerating its de novo growth strategy through joint venture partnerships with veterinarians.

• Charlene Wandzilak has been promoted to Vice President of People and Culture after a successful tenure as Director of Talent Acquisition since 2018. With her deep expertise in the veterinary community and passion for people strategy, Charlene is well-positioned to lead Heart + Paw’s people-focused initiatives.
• Lisa Rogers, an experienced leader in veterinary marketing, joined the company as Vice President of Marketing. With over 15 years of experience, including leadership roles at Banfield Pet Hospital and Wisdom Panel, Lisa brings extensive expertise in digital marketing, growth strategies, and brand development to Heart + Paw. Her insights will drive the company's client acquisition and engagement efforts.

Dave Lasus, CEO and Chairman of the Board, expressed his gratitude for Dr. Melillo’s contributions and excitement for the future:

“It has been a privilege to work alongside George in building Heart + Paw into a truly unique and high-quality brand that has transformed the veterinary experience. His vision and unwavering dedication to our team have been essential to our success, and we deeply appreciate his continued support as we drive the future of pet healthcare. I’m thrilled to collaborate with Mary and our expanded leadership team as we advance our mission to deliver outstanding care for pets and cultivate rewarding careers for veterinarians and our teams.”

About Heart + Paw

Founded in 2018, Heart + Paw is reimagining petcare with a full range of services designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s pet parents. From routine wellness and dental care to advanced diagnostics, surgery, grooming, and daycare, Heart + Paw prioritizes a minimal-stress, compassionate approach for every pet. With 28 locations across 10 states, the company integrates cutting-edge technologies, high-quality amenities, and equipment carefully selected based on years of research and practice. Guided by the vision of Co-founder Dr. George Melillo, CEO Dave Lasus, and Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Mary Peacock, Heart + Paw has built a culture that treats pets and their families like our own. Recognized as a top employer for three consecutive years, Heart + Paw is Certified™ by Great Place to Work^® in 2024. To learn more, visit heartandpaw.com or follow Heart + Paw on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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