How Our Dog Wash Began- 11 Years Ago

On Saturday, April 21st Newberry Animal Hospital will host the 11th Annual Charity Dog Wash with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society's 'Relay for Life' campaign. This event was established after the late Dr. Philpot's cancer diagnosis in 2007. Everyone at Newberry Animal Hospital wanted to dedicate this event to Dr. Philpot's memory. It served as a commemorative way to honor his loved-ones and the community that still misses him dearly.

Dr. Philpot attended Newberry High School and served in the Air Force prior to graduating from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine before he opened Newberry Animal Hospital.

Kristyn Busch, receptionist at our Newberry location, met with the owner of Newberry Animal Hospital, Dr. Lance Baltzley, to talk about how Dr. Philpot made such a significant impact on so many people:

K.B.: You knew Dr. Philpot for over 3 years, how would you describe him?

Dr. Baltzley: He was compassionate. He was very tied to the community with business and family. He was funny and a little goofy which was unexpected.

K.B.: What is your favorite memory of him?

Dr. Baltzley: Working together after hours. When the clinic was closed, we would still have emergencies we needed to treat. We had some great personal conversations during that time. You really get to know someone, you bond and learn from each other.

K.B.: Is there a particular lesson you learned from him while working together?

Dr. Baltzley: The best lesson, was balancing work and life. You have to make time for a personal life, too. It is just as important as everything else.

K.B.: What do you wish the newer clients of Newberry Animal Hospital knew about him?

Dr. Baltzley: I wish they knew how much he cared for their pets. He was 'all in' when it came to treating dogs and cats with the best care. He cared the same amount for our clients. He valued the community and always tried to give back, as much as he could. He was very compassionate and a big contributor to charities.

National 'Love Your Pet' Day in Gainesville

Looking for a cool way to spend National Love Your Pet Day? Here are some ideas:

1. Try something new! Got a dog? Take your dog to one of Gainesville's pet-friendly parks, or a local dog-park. Go when it's not too busy if it's his first time.

• Dogs love to smell and explore new places, so try Hogtown Creek, or one of the near-by springs.

• For older dogs or those with joint issues, swimming can be a great alternative. (By the way, our Dog Dayz swim event at Westside Pool is on October 20, 2018. Put it on your calendar! It's the only day they get the entire pool to themselves!

2. Have a playdate. If your dog enjoys the company of other dogs, a playdate is a great way to wear them out while getting excellent exercise. Also, you can always start or join a dog-walking group to throw in some exercise of your own!

3. Make homemade dog treats. Making dog treats at home is another fun project that your dog will definitely love! Just Google home-made dog treats, and you will find a ton of recipes that can include very healthy ingredients like peanut butter and pumpkin. Just consult your local Veterinarian in Gainesville to make sure that those ingredients aren't going to create other health problems if you pet has food issues.

4. Love a shelter animal! 

• Shelters always need donations like towels, food, and treats. Reach out to your local shelter and see how you can help. Contact Alachua County Animal Services, of the Alachua County Humane Society to see how you can spend your day helping the pets that don't have a family loving them today. Check out our page on rescue partners here in Gainesville:

• Fostering is a great way to make a huge difference in a shelter dog's life. There's likely a rescue group in your area that would love to have you volunteer with them. Check them out here.