While her husband was at war, the wife developed the business. The story of Vet House veterinary clinics.

"What is commonplace for veterinarians is super-wow for me," says Iryna Bilenka, co-owner of the Vet House veterinary clinics in Vinnytsia.

In 2023–2024, Bilenka managed the family business while her husband, Volodymyr, defended the country in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In two years under Irina's leadership, Vet House's turnover doubled, she says. One explanation is that Irina is not a veterinarian. "I look at everything from the client's perspective and try to offer what interests them," explains the entrepreneur.

How does the veteran-owned business of the Bilenkyi family function? What features have the entrepreneurs implemented to stand out in the market? Read the article. LIGA.net.

Partners let me down, but I opened the clinic.

Volodymyr is a veterinarian by training. Before starting his own business, he worked in the scientific communication department of Mars Corporation (the company owns brands such as Pedigree, Whiskas, Royal Canin, Sheba, etc.). He taught veterinarians in the western region.

Volodymyr opened the first Vet House clinic on Yunisty Avenue in one of the residential areas of Vinnytsia in 2015. Two partners were ready to invest in it, but then changed their minds, and as a result, he had to look for funds himself.

Volodymyr became the sole founder of the project, investing $45,000 of his own and borrowed funds. The entrepreneur paid off the debts in two years. The clinic quickly became profitable, reaching break-even in eight months.

The business was so successful that the clinic, which initially occupied 85 square meters, had to be expanded almost two and a half times in two years. Total investment in the project amounted to $150,000.

"In 2020, we realized that we had outgrown the premises and needed something bigger," says Volodymyr.

For the second clinic, in 2021, the entrepreneur purchased a new three-story building near Vinnytsia with an area of 370 sq. m on a mortgage for $167,000.

The clinic was built according to all the rules. Just for utilities, such as laying power wiring, oxygen distribution for animals, etc., another $228,000 was spent.

Volodymyr is in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the new premises are for volunteers.

However, the new clinic was only opened in 2024. The war got in the way. Volodymyr went to serve, Iryna left abroad with four children, and Vet House was left to the manager.

Initially, Volodymyr served in the 86th Separate Territorial Defense Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and then transferred to the Airborne Assault Forces.

The new premises were temporarily given to volunteers: they made anti-tank hedgehog barriers there, and then they set up an animal aid hub. Later, Iryna returned to Ukraine and took control of the business in August 2023.

When Volodymyr demobilized in July 2024, Iryna not only completely managed the family business, but the military wife also organized the opening of a new clinic herself.

"I just came for the opening on vacation," smiles Volodymyr.

The new clinic and its features

The new clinic differs from similar establishments of competitors.

The difference starts in the lobby. It is divided into two parts: one for receiving cats, the other for dogs. There are also separate examination rooms for these animals.

"This approach helps to avoid additional stress or confusion with medications," the founders explain. Volodymyr heard the idea several years ago at a conference in Germany.

In 2025, the new clinic received silver accreditation as a Cat Friendly Clinic from the International Society of Feline Medicine. Vet House is the only clinic in Vinnytsia with such a certificate, and one of only four in Ukraine.

This accreditation means that the clinic has implemented measures to reduce stress for cats, as well as to ensure high-quality care.

Vet House is also the only 24-hour veterinary clinic in Vinnytsia. It has a separate room for staff who work overnight shifts.

Investment in equipment

The entrepreneurs also invested in professional equipment, which allows them to make more accurate diagnoses and provide a wider range of services. Vet House purchased an animal tomograph for $70,000. Currently, it is the only one in Vinnytsia and one of only three in Ukraine.

The cost of a CT scan is 1100-1800 UAH depending on the area being scanned. Currently, there can be up to 25 scans per month, while at the beginning there were only three or four.

Among the services rare for Vinnytsia, the clinic offers spinal surgery for animals and veterinary dentistry. Vet House has its own laboratory, which reduces the time for research.

The entrepreneurs spent $170,000 on equipment for the new clinic. In total, the couple invested over $600,000 in it. $69,000 was grant money that the entrepreneurs received as part of the entrepreneur support program in Diia, from the Ukrainian Veteran Fund. Part of the money was provided by the German government.

Veterinary characteristics

The veterinary business has unique aspects that other industries don't. Not all animals can be saved. Because of this, Irina admits, many good specialists leave veterinary medicine.

There are difficulties with employees. Vet House often needs highly specialized specialists. From the very beginning, the entrepreneurs have focused on training their employees.

"We have an assistant school where we train people from scratch. We take students, give them a foundation, and senior specialists share their experience," says Iryna.

This approach yielded results. At the start of the war, the staff of the first clinic shrank by 42% to 20 people. Now the total staff of both clinics numbers over 50 employees.

The Bilenkyi couple plans to continue expanding their veterinary business. They want to build another building next to the new clinic.

The material has been created. LIGA.net with the support of the "Askol'd and Dir" Foundation, administered by ISAR Unity within the framework of the project "A Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver of Reforms and Democracy" funded by Norway and Sweden. The content of the publication is the responsibility of LIGA.net and does not reflect the views of the governments of Norway, Sweden, or ISAR Unity.