Dr. Matthew Silvius, co-owner and veterinarian at Eagle Animal Hospital in Kansas City, has been instrumental in the practice's expansion, now serving the community through four locations with a team of 16 veterinarians.

A leader within his practice and the broader veterinary community, Dr. Silvius serves as a JV Partner, a member of the Chief Medical Officer's Advisory Council, and past president of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.

We asked Dr. Silvius 12 rapid-fire questions about his approach to driving client engagement and what motivates him both in and out of the clinic.

Farm animals 🐄 or small animals 🐕?

Growing up on a farm, I have a strong connection to farm animals, but small animal medicine has given me the life that I love!

Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce? 🏈

Such a hard question, but I have to give the edge to Kelce for the fact that we’ve had the pleasure to help his pets at our office. Both are obviously great!

Online booking 💻 or phone appointments 📞?

Online booking! Clients love this option, and we always want to be following the data of what the consumer wants!

Dermatology or dentistry? 🦷

This one was hard for me! I love both so much, but after years of being in practice I have really grown to love dentistry and being able to help patients.

Technology 💻 or traditional methods 📋?

We have grown to being one of the leaders in our region in technology! Our general practice has CT, endoscopy, and advanced orthopedics all in house.

Coffee ☕ or tea 🍵?

Coffee is life! Our team knows my passion for coffee! Lol. Unfortunately, Ted Lasso and I share the same opinion of tea.

Barbecue 🍖 or pizza 🍕?

Being in Kansas City we have some of the best BBQ in the country! Joes KC is our personal favorite, and you are never going to go wrong with ordering their famous Zman sandwich.

Pets 🐾 or people 👥?

As an extrovert, I love talking to people.

Seasoned staff or new graduates? 🎓

We love getting new grads! Their fresh views keep our hospitals on the cutting edge of medicine. We also get to develop all of our tendencies and culture together from the start.

Summer ☀️ or winter ❄️?

My wife will kill me with this answer, but I actually like the cold. Skiing with my family is one of my favorite things to do.

Early bird 🌅 or night owl 🌅🦉?

I love to get up early and get to the gym before my day starts. Also can't beat the quiet of the morning.

Preventive care or emergency visits? 🚨

Preventative care. After 18 years this could seem boring to some, but I like being able to educate and possibly find things to help a pet that an owner may not see.

More about Dr. Matthew Silvius:

Growing up on a farm in Lathrop, Missouri, Dr. Silvius developed his passion for helping animals through early interactions with farm animals. His veterinary journey began at Eagle Animal Hospital as a kennel assistant, where the established culture and family support motivated him to pursue his dream. He completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at Missouri Western State University, earning Dean's list recognition, before graduating magna cum laude from the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 with recognition for Excellence in Dermatology.

Dr. Silvius actively seeks the latest advancements in medical techniques and treatments to keep Eagle Animal Hospital at the forefront of veterinary medicine. He’s past-president of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association and is a member of both the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Silvius enjoys time with his family, including his wife Dr. Margaret Silvius, their two children, and their pets: Hubert (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Sunny (a domestic shorthair), and Patty (a British Shorthair). In his free time, he enjoys outdoor projects, following local sports, and watching his kids play sports.