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To My Clients and Friends of Pennyroyal Small Animal Hospital:
Last year I was approached by Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine about applying for a position in the Veterinary College. This position was a new one; an opportunity to start the exotics program there for the college in the Community Care Clinic.
In January of 2009 I accepted this position. Then the economy tanked, the housing market plummeted, and plans slowed. Finally, after much gnashing of teeth, the practice is going to be placed in good hands, the staff will be the same faces you have come to know and love (as have I). Dr. Lacki will be staying with the clinic during this transition and has learned a good amount in the two years she has been with us.
Most importantly, Dr. Tim Gravatte will be the new owner of Pennyroyal Small Animal Hospital. Dr. Gravatte and I worked together in Lexington many years ago. I am happy that he will be stepping into my shoes, as I know he will treat the staff graciously, and take excellent care of all the patients I leave behind.
It is with both a great sense of loss and a great sense of anticipation that I move to a different life and start this new adventure. I wish to say to all of you who have been so faithful to us that I have been richly, profoundly and forever blessed by the experience of owning Pennyroyal. It has been one of the largest challenges in my life, and also one of the richest. I would be remiss not to mention that donna Ross is ultimately the reason I had courage to go ahead and purchase the clinic, although she would say otherwise... and Donna, I hope, will stay at the clinic long after I leave.
We have grown, changed, learned, laughed, cried, rejoiced, and I suppose sometimes despaired. We have lived fully through the clinic, getting to know many of you as friends, confidants, trusted clients, family. We have cried with the losses of your beloved pets. We have welcomed joyously the addition of new members of your families, both animal and human. We have suffered losses in our own personal families. We have lost beloved clinic animals, and gained more than a few over the years!
We have, together, experienced so much of life; leaving is like yanking out a huge part of my heart...and yet, life is so short, and to paraphrase a prayer the minister at my church says: "Remember that life is short, and we do not have much time, be glad in the hearts of others. So be quick to love, and make haste to be kind."
This is a great opportunity to spread my wings again and accept and tackle a new challenge. I just wish I could take my beloved and incredible staff, pets, and clients with me...
I will be moving to ISU in Ames, Iowa, where my incredible mother of 83 years presently lives, and much of my large nuclear family (6 kids, yikes!). My husband also hails from Nebraska and his father is presently 90. It is time for us to attend to the matters of the family, and this position not only offers me a rich opportunity to create something again and contribute back to the school which gave me so much, but the additional and precious chance to be near our families in this phase of life.
It is with the utmost respect, thanks, and deep humility that I say thank you, thank you to you all for making my life in Lexington rich, my practice thrive. Mostly, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the privilege of helping your extended family in some small part; your trust in me has been profoundly kind, and I am forever indebted.
I will miss you all greatly, and sincerely hope that you will stay in touch by email or phone, and if by some strange miracle you happen to venture into the heartland of this great country, our door is always open. You should be able to find me at the college of veterinary medicine, doing the same thing I did here, but with a gaggle of students!
May God bless you all, and life bring you joy, the love of pets, family and friends and good health, now and always. I will keep you with me in my heart.
With Deep and Abiding Gratitude,
Bianca Zaffarano, D.V.M.
And, from our new owner...
To the Clients of Pennyroyal Small and Exotic Animal Hospital:
I am Tim Gravatte, DVM and proud to be the new owner of the Pennyroyal Small and Exotic Animal Hospital. I have lived in Lexington for over 32 years and have been practicing small animal medicine for over 17 years. I have known Dr. Zaffarano for many years and consider her not only a colleague, but also a good friend. I wish her nothing but the best.
I was very excited at the chance to join Pennyroyal Small and Exotic Animal Hospital and continue the excellent quality and compassionate care that Dr. Zaffarano, Dr. Lacki and the staff have been providing to you and your pets.
Since I will be the only "new face" at the clinic, the normal operations and continuity of care will continue. I am confident that the staff will be able to get me up to speed with policies and procedures that you as clients are accustomed to.
I am looking forward to this new chapter in my veterinary career as I know Dr. Zaffarano is looking forward to hers.
Sincerely,
Tim Gravatte, DVM
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