For most people, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when they first realize their true callings in life. But for Dr. David T Smith, owner of Sarasota Veterinary Center on Cattlemen Road, the memory is still vivid to this day. “When I was in the sixth grade,” Dr. Smith recalls, “every student in my class had to pick an occupation for ‘Career Day.’ My career of choice was to become a veterinarian.
While most young boys his age were bagging groceries, delivering newspapers, or mowing their neighbor’s lawns, Dr. Smith pursued his dream to work with animals from his early teen years. “Since I was 13 years of age, I worked for several veterinarians,” comments Dr. Smith. “Even while I was in college, I took a summer job in a veterinary clinic in Boca Raton. I worked there for several years whenever I was not attending classes.” Ambitious from an early age, Dr. Dave Smith was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a young man, earning the esteemed ranking of Eagle Scout in high school. And even through scouting, his destiny was affirmed when he attended a business banquet and was paired with a veterinarian, who served as his mentor.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in the southern part of Georgia, Dr. Dave Smith attended the University of Florida (UF), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science. As a National Merit Scholar, he was awarded an academic scholarship and completed his advanced training at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his studies, Dr. Smith eventually became the managing partner of three emergency centers in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, working nights and weekends. Dr. Smith also began doing relief work for other veterinarians, managing practices while their owners were out of town or on vacation. He also worked as a consultant to help other veterinarians better manage their practices and grow their business.
During his tenure in veterinary medicine in the Ft. Lauderdale area, Dr. Smith served as president of the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association for two years. Under his supervision, the association held regular meetings, developed continuing education seminars for members and hosted social events throughout the year. After focusing on his professional career for many years, Dr. Smith soon decided to make changes in his personal life and decided it was time to leave the Ft. Lauderdale area. “I was ready to get married and raise a family,” Dr. Smith comments, “and I didn’t want to stay on Florida’s East Coast. Our priority was simply to find a great place in which to live.”
After spending about a year searching throughout the state of Florida for a new community to call home, Dr. Dave Smith found a veterinary practice for sale in Sarasota and sold his interest in the emergency centers and veterinary clinic he owned before relocating to the Gulf Coast in July 2006. He is now the owner of Sarasota Veterinary Center, which is located at 4019 Cattlemen Road, near Interstate 75 and Bee Ridge Road. Once settled in at home, Dr. Smith supervised major renovations in his new suite of offices and exam rooms. “We gave the practice a ‘face-lift’ with extensive remodeling throughout, including the installation of new floors and ceiling tiles,” comments Dr. Smith. Since assuming ownership, the practice has grown an estimated 25 percent in the past 2 years, primarily through word-of-mouth referrals.
It is undoubtedly Dr. Dave Smith’s compassionate approach to veterinary medicine that has contributed to his flourishing clientele in Sarasota. “My philosophy has always been to practice good medicine, and to treat each patient as if it is my grandmother’s pet,” comments Dr. Smith. “Equally important is to always treat each and every pet owner and their animals with great customer service, which is a critical concept that I always instill in my staff. I encourage each person that works with me to let the compassion they feel for animals show by getting down on the floor to play with them, talk to them and give them treats. Both the animals and their owners appreciate the compassionate attention that we provide.”
Specializing in the veterinary care of both dogs and cats, Dr. Smith strongly believes in preventative medicine and the value of client education. “Ninety percent of my job is giving good advice,” Dr. Smith comments. “We always focus on client education to help animals live longer, healthier lives.” Dr. Smith is quick to give credit to his staff of nine, which includes veterinary technicians, kennel staff, and office staff, as well as his wife Leyla, who serves as the practice’s business manager. “We have the right mix of people, who are experienced, good at customer service and great with animals. I couldn’t be more thrilled with our staff.”
In addition to veterinary care, Sarasota Veterinary Center also offers on-site grooming and boarding. “Unlike a kennel, where dogs run and play with other animals, we offer a supervised and controlled environment that focuses on animal safety,” Dr. Smith says. “We also practice a preventative approach to boarding animals by keeping dogs apart to eliminate every risk of injury in an open environment.” “Not only do dogs have supervised, one-on-one play time during the day,” Dr. Smith adds, “but they also are walked five times daily in a safe, grassy area behind our practice.” The boarding facilities at Sarasota Veterinary Center also have a separate room for cats, so they have a quiet, stress-free environment away from barking dogs.
Since relocating to Sarasota, Dr. Smith has become involved in the Southwest Florida Veterinary Medical Association. He currently serves as president-elect of the professional organization that serves to advance skill, knowledge and training in veterinary medicine throughout South Florida. With plans to eventually open another location, Dr. Smith and his staff are currently content to practice exceptional medicine. “You can be the best veterinarian in the world,” Dr. Smith says, “but if you have a lousy ‘bedside’ manner, you aren’t providing good service.
It is clearly a genuine love of animals that has been the motivating influence in Dr. Dave Smith’s life since he was a young boy. “I have always taken in strays,” he comments, “There is a story behind every dog or cat I have owned.” On one of his adopted cats, Dr. Smith explains, he performed 24 hours of surgery after it was “chopped up” in the fan belt of a car. He adopted another kitten that fit in the palm of his hand after it had been bitten by a dog.
Dr. Smith and his wife’s “family” currently include two Labrador Retrievers and several cats-all rescues. It is obvious that Dr. Smith has a genuine “soft spot” for homeless and abandoned animals. In fact, he extends a very benevolent offer to area residents who adopt from Animal Services or the Humane Society of Sarasota County: the animal’s first veterinary exam is provided free of charge. He also gives each adoptive family free pet-care products and “lots of advice.” “At Sarasota Veterinary Center,” Dr. Dave Smith concludes, “We really love animals and bend over backwards to do what is best for all animals with the greatest compassion.”