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Vets offer “free day” to clients because of hard economic times
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Oct 29, 2009 - 10:01:30 PM

 By PENNY FLETCHER
penny@observernews.net

RIVERVIEW — Five veterinarians and a full staff of technicians and office personnel volunteered their time and services Oct. 24 to be sure dog owners had the chance to have their pets checked out.

If annual vaccinations were due, they got them. They also got treated for a variety of medical ailments.

Penny Fletcher Photo Because of the downturn in the economy, Boyette Animal Hospital in Riverview offered a coupon for a “free day” to its clients that they could either use themselves or give to someone else. More than 80 dogs were seen without charge Oct. 23. Some were vaccinated and tagged and others were examined or treated for medical conditions.

Dr. Bob Encinosa and his partners, veterinarians Steve Harris, Vickki Parker, Sarah Stalnaker and Rochelle Campbell were on hand with their staff to see that none of their patients were left out.

Dog owners were elated.

“I’ve been very worried about Bella,” said Sarah Sheppard of Ruskin while sitting in the waiting room. Pregnant with their second child, Sarah said her husband- like many others- was recently laid off from his job. “Bella is past due for her annual checkup and vaccinations. It’s really nice of them to do this. Now we have one less thing to worry about,” she said as the perfectly-behaved hound-lab mix stepped up on the scale and sat down.

From 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday more than 80 dogs and their owners were seen at the clinic, which is located at 10931 Boyette Road in Riverview.

As they were waiting to be checked in by Steve Burch and Tishanna Hannone, pet owners talked about receiving the coupons for the event in the mail. A letter accompanying the coupons told them they were permitted to keep the coupons themselves, or give them to someone who needed them more, they said.    
The animal hospital, which opened in November 1990 and also has boarding and grooming facilities available, is run by Encinosa, who recently received the Southeastern Veterinarian of the Year award from his colleagues in the Southeastern Veterinary Society.

Encinosa was born in Valrico and attended Brandon High School before receiving a doctorate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. He currently employs more than 50 staff members, including veterinarians, certified technicians, office help and groomers.

He did not take time from his patients for an interview and seemed genuinely embarrassed at the attention of the camera.

“I really didn’t intend to get any publicity for this,” he said.

Staff members said their boss often does “random acts of kindness” for which he does not want to be recognized.

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