Dr. Carrie Sutor: Building a Legacy of Compassion and Leadership
As owner of Gladwyne Animal Hospital and founder of Holly Helps, Dr. Carrie Sutor transforms veterinary care through mentorship, community service, and unwavering support for both her team and underserved populations.
For Dr. Carrie Sutor, veterinary medicine isn’t just about treating animals—it’s about nurturing the human-animal bond while creating opportunities for others to thrive. As the owner of Gladwyne Animal Hospital and founder of the nonprofit Holly Helps, Dr. Sutor has built a legacy that extends far beyond her practice walls, touching the lives of colleagues, clients, and some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Dr. Carrie Sutor is a 2025 Main Line Parent Women of Influence Award Winner
Main Line Parent’s Women of Influence Awards celebrate exceptional women making significant impacts in our community. Dr. Sutor was nominated by a former colleague, Katie, and selected based on her achievements and dedication to creating positive change in her community. Each Women of Influence Award Winner has committed to support Family Focus Media’s core values. Together, we are committed to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment for all for all families. All backgrounds, races, genders, and sexual orientations are welcome and safe with us.
Beyond the awards, our Women of Influence Luncheons and Speed Networking Night attendees come together as our Women of Influence Network, a community fostering connections, collaboration, and mutual support.
A Foundation Built on Mentorship
Dr. Sutor’s approach to leadership was deeply shaped by her mentor, Dr. Howard Wellens, who showed her that supporting women in the workplace creates powerful ripple effects. After losing both parents by age 30, Dr. Sutor found in Dr. Wellens not only a professional guide but a source of wisdom: “when you give people the chance to do the right thing, most of the time they will.”
This belief became the foundation of her leadership when she purchased Gladwyne Animal Hospital in 2009. What began as a solo practice established in 1964 has since grown under her care into a thriving hospital with 26 full-time employees. Her success is especially notable in a field where women make up the majority of veterinarians, yet practice ownership remains largely male-dominated.
Leading with Heart and Courage
Dr. Sutor’s commitment to supporting her team was tested early in her ownership journey when her first associate veterinarian announced she was pregnant with twins. As a new small business owner, Dr. Sutor faced a financial challenge that could have derailed her growing practice. Instead, she chose to embody the values her mentor had instilled in her.
“I knew that I wanted to give her the flexibility and financial support that she deserved,” Dr. Sutor recalls. “I hired another associate, worked double time myself, and paid Kelly a full maternity leave.” This decision not only supported her employee but also strengthened her practice, building the loyal team that continues to drive her success today.
Her support for working mothers extends throughout her organization. Dr. Beverly Jogan, one of her veterinarians, credits Dr. Sutor with helping her balance motherhood and her veterinary career. “She encouraged me to feel comfortable taking planned breaks in the middle of the day to go see my kid’s performance at school,” Dr. Jogan explains. “Because of Carrie, I get to do both of my favorite jobs: be a veterinarian, and be a mom who is lucky enough to catch all the milestones.”
Empowering the Next Generation
Perhaps most remarkably, Dr. Sutor actively supports her associates in becoming competitors. When a relief veterinarian faced restrictive non-compete clauses, Dr. Sutor provided the financial backing needed for her to secure a small business loan and open her own practice. Since then, she has formally mentored multiple associates through the challenging process of starting their own animal hospitals.
“Watching these practices grow and knowing that I had a role in that has been incredibly rewarding,” she reflects. This approach—supporting others’ dreams even when it means creating competition—speaks to her genuine commitment to advancing women in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Katie Springer, who received Dr. Sutor’s mentorship in starting Havertown Animal Hospital, describes her former boss as “a tremendous mentor both professionally and personally.” She notes that Dr. Sutor supported her family with paid maternity and paternity leave despite running a small, non-corporate practice, and continues to be “always a phone call away for help.”
Extending Care to the Vulnerable
Dr. Sutor’s compassion extends beyond her immediate team to some of society’s most vulnerable members. In 2020, she founded Holly Helps, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing veterinary care for pets owned by people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
“I believe that caring for a pet is something that can give people purpose, and taking pets away from people because they may not be able to afford care for them is unkind,” she explains. Through partnerships with organizations like Project Home, Holly Helps provides free veterinary care in shelters where pets are allowed, recognizing that the human-animal bond shouldn’t be compromised by financial circumstances.
The organization has also partnered with St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, her son’s alma mater, to hold free vaccine clinics. Dr. Sutor’s goal is to continue growing this nonprofit to support the human-animal bond for all members of the community.
Creating a Culture of Wellness
Understanding that veterinarians face suicide rates 3.5 times higher than the general population, Dr. Sutor has made mental health support a priority within her practice. She actively works to create a supportive workplace where team members can express themselves and take time for mental health care when needed.
“I have actively supported team members in accessing mental health professionals and mental health education,” she notes, recognizing that caring for those who care for animals is essential to the profession’s sustainability.
A Model of Authentic Leadership
Dr. Sutor’s influence spans the Main Line and Western Suburbs, where she serves Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties. While her clinical skills earn consistent praise, it’s her character that truly sets her apart. As Dr. Jennifer Mercier, a colleague and friend, notes, “She is a strong leader who keeps the wellbeing of her staff at the top of her mind. She makes the community a better place to live.”
Her approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion is characteristically straightforward: “I treat others as I would like to be treated. I remind every member of my team to strive to do the same.” This golden rule mindset guides her support for scholarships aimed at African American veterinary students, informs her inclusive hiring practices, and shapes her daily interactions with team members and clients.
Balancing Excellence in All Areas
As a mother of four, Dr. Sutor has navigated the challenges of business ownership while maintaining her commitment to family. Her ability to excel professionally while nurturing her family serves as an inspiration to the working mothers on her team and throughout her community.
Her influence is perhaps best summarized by Dr. Springer’s observation: “Dr. Sutor has had an extraordinary influence on my life and I am so grateful for her.” This sentiment echoes throughout her professional network, where her reputation for supporting others’ success while maintaining the highest standards of veterinary care has made her a beloved figure in the community.
Dr. Carrie Sutor’s story reminds us that true leadership isn’t about accumulating power or eliminating competition—it’s about lifting others up, creating opportunities for growth, and using our skills and resources to serve those who need it most. Through her practice, her nonprofit work, and her mentorship, she has created a legacy that will continue to influence veterinary medicine and community service for generations to come.
