36 minute read
LIBATIONS At Ology
↖ TEAM OLOGY From left: Co-founder Paul Woodward; David Arendt, special operations; Nick Walker, head brewer; Aleks Alexander, lead distiller; Jason Grant, head distiller.
A SPIRITED LIBATIONS The potato is a versatile crop, producing kid-friendly items like french fries, tater tots, hash browns and mashed potatoes. It is also sure to put a smile on adults’ faces, a warm seemed a little too sweet. The rye and the wheat were a little too heavy on the alcohol taste.” The “appeal” of the potato — sorry, one dad joke and we’ll stop there — BUSINESS one, when distilled to make vodka. Owners and distillers at Ology took on what was certainly a fun experiment. They spent four months messing around with vodka? “It was cleaner than everything else,” Grant said. “The potato came off really nice and smooth. And it had a clean
Ology is expanding with different vodka recipes to produce their Potato Vodka. finish. It didn’t linger around the palate.” Grant and his colleagues at Ology, a its product line “We had a corn vodka, a potato three-year-old business in Tallahassee vodka, we had a wheat and a rye,” said that began with a focus on craft beers by BOB FERRANTE Ology’s lead distiller, Jason Grant. and coffee, were immediately on to “And among all of those, we listed what something with their first distilled we liked, what we didn’t like. The corn product.
↙ Ology Distilling is turning out spirits including a New World gin; a potato vodka; and a smallbatch white rum. At Ology, each new product release is a cause for spirited celebration.
Ology has not been a crawl, walk, run company — it has been in sprint formation from the start. Beer still makes up most of the business, more than 80 percent, but vodka has positioned itself as a star on the rise because of its taste and affordable price. Ology’s vodka will set you back just $22 for a tall, sleek 750 ml bottle.
This was part of the vision of Paul Woodward, Brian Clark and Nick Walker, who have been friends since middle school in Tallahassee. After college, they reunited, brought on David Arendt to lead operations and special projects and started Ology. Grant soon joined in, seeing that the group had the financial backing and infrastructure to make the dream of opening a distillery a reality.
After months of planning and with distilling license in hand just a week, Ology’s staff was ready to expand its product offerings. But like nearly every other business, the coronavirus pandemic complicated their efforts.
Once the mad dash to produce hand sanitizer subdued, Grant and Aleks Alexander, who had a decade of experience at distilleries in Colorado and the Caribbean, were able to refocus on vodka. Ology was then able to fill online orders and offer pick-up of vodka at its location off Powermill Court.
↑ HO, HO, HO AND A BOTTLE … Ology’s production facility yields products, including a white rum (inset).
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↘ Customers sample fermented malt beverages at the Ology Power Mill beer garden. Sales of spirits are by the bottle, only.
Woodward says only 1 percent of vodka produced is derived from potatoes. A smooth, distinctive flavor at an attractive price has made Ology’s vodka stand out, with orders shipping across the nation.
The success of the vodka release was encouraging and prompted an attempt at producing rum, which Ology launched in late February. After a few months of experimentation, Grant had the right flavors.
White rum isn’t your traditional offering in the growing beer and distilled spirits scene. It serves to further set Ology and its growing staff of 21 employees apart, while also putting Tallahassee on the map.
“Our white rum is the kind of product that I look at and say you can’t get anywhere else,” Woodward said. “It’s something I think Tallahassee will be able to take pride in knowing that we’re one of the few
U.S. producers making highquality white rum.”
First vodka and now, rum. Grant said he is also working on a gin that blends in flavors from satsumas. Grant, who has multiple degrees in biochemistry, has enjoyed the experimentation and sampling the results.
“It’s definitely a stretch from one lab setting to another lab setting,” Grant said. “You’re in the biochemistry lab, you definitely don’t want to drink what you’re working with. It might turn out poorly for you.
“You keep on talking about it and saying, ‘Yeah, I’m going to do this one day.’ And now here we are doing this. And it’s happening — there’s a product on the shelf that I can walk in and say, ‘Hey, I made that.’ And it’s just a cool place to be. It’s surreal.” TM
ASSISTING THE STATE’S PANDEMIC RESPONSE
When the pandemic became a grim reality, Ology was among the first companies to devote time and facilities to the production of hand sanitizer. In April 2020, it sent its first truckload of 2,500 gallons of FDA-approved sanitizer to the State of Florida for distribution. Bar and production staff participated in the sanitizer project — Ology’s contribution to helping Florida keep its residents safe from infection. End users of the sanitizer thanked Ology for its hard work and generosity.
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2766 Capital Circle NE | 850.765.0811 | trevas.net Across From Esposito
Masa Asian Fusion
Nestled in the heart of Tallahassee’s Midtown, Masa is a restaurant experience that will transport you to Asia with its culturally inspired atmosphere and a dynamic menu that blends Eastern and Western cuisines. The Asian-fusion selection serves up sushi, seafood,
Thai and Chinese dishes that range from familiar to unique and align with any occasion or visit, making it a beloved spot for many regulars.
Masa opened in 2005 as the creation of one of Tallahassee’s most prominent and inspirational restaurateurs, Lucy Ho. In 2015, the restaurant relocated to its new location on North
Monroe to better serve customers with more space, a full bar and an outdoor patio.
Masa manager Sarah Kuta credits the relaxing and fun — yet upscale — atmosphere for much of the restaurant’s success.
“Your experience at Masa can be as fancy or as laid back as you want it to be,” said Kuta. “Many couples come in for our
Wednesday Date Night specials for a quiet, romantic evening where they can try unique and experimental dishes. Others bring a big group and sit on our patio with their children for
Kids-Eat-Free Sundays. We love to cater to the experience you want.”
The menu is expansive and impressive. The sushi selection attracts a lot of attention for its dynamic and flavorful variety of rolls and pieces. The signature Grilled Miso Chilean Sea Bass is locally sourced and is a favorite for many dinnertime diners. Comfort food classics include sesame chicken, chili chicken, lo mein and more.
The kitchen goes beyond creative flavors to cater to all dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free menus.
“We pride ourselves in food quality, an inviting atmosphere and excellent service,” said Kuta. “Many of our customers have been coming here for years because of the reliability of these aspects, stemming from our staff, which is highly trained to answer questions, make recommendations and know our menu extensively.”
Much of the staff, Kuta included, has been with Masa for 10 or more years, which creates a familial sense that extends to the customers.
Whether you gather around a table of savory steaming noodles with your own family, lounge at the bar with drinks and appetizers, or want to celebrate a special moment over sushi, Masa welcomes you to experience the best of both worlds — Eastern and Western.
MASA 1650 N MONROE | (850) 727-4183 | MASATALLAHASSEE.COM
time to
And then there were fur.
STORY BY HANNAH BURKE PHOTGRAPHY BY DAVE BARFIELD
SPONSORED BY: NORTH FLORIDA ANIMAL HOSPITAL
BENEFITING: BE THE SOLUTION Last September, hundreds of Tallahassee pet owners submitted snaps of their favorite fur babies and submitted them to our annual Tally Top Pet Photo Contest, benefitting Be The Solution. Through the process of elimination, the bracketed, NCAA March Madness-style competition ultimately arrives at one lucky contestant who is awarded a Tallahassee Magazine cover spot.
Readers’ votes determined the Sweet 16, the Elite Eight and finally the four fine felines and canines you see here. And, those votes, cast for $1 apiece, helped advance Be The Solution’s mission to combat pet overpopulation by making available low-cost spay and neuter vouchers in our community.
Our champion, Alice, at one time owned by people unprepared to care for her, represents well Be The Solution’s animal welfare efforts.
Check out her story, as well as those of the other members of the Final Fur who, of course, are all winners in our hearts.
A survivor of puppy abuse is this year’s Tally Top Pet
Meet ALICE
You’d never guess from looking at our Top Pet cover girl, with her wide smile and sparkly brown eyes, that she had a rough start in life.
But one year ago, Alice, a pitbull, spent her days and nights chained to a cinder block beneath a tree. By the time Jane Holmes-Cain and her daughter rescued Alice from her abusive owners, she was covered in fleas, suffering skin problems and had not been spayed.
Things quickly turned around, said Holmes-Cain.
Today, Alice (formerly) in chains is a spirited, happy-golucky pup who loves nothing more than cuddles and chasing birds and squirrels in her backyard. She is like a younger sister to Holmes-Cain’s elderly Boston terrier and French bulldog and frequently delights in (lovingly) terrorizing them.
“Alice doesn’t realize she’s this big pitbull,” Holmes-Cain said. “If you sit down, she’ll want to sit right on top of you. If you lay down in bed, she’ll want to come snuggle.”
Often, Alice will deliver her toy rope to a human, looking for a round of her favorite game, tug-of-war. For her, there’s nothing better than chewing on Nylabones or licking the peanut butter out of a stuffed Kong toy.
To watch her go from the product of an abusive home to the happiest girl in the world has been inspiring.
“She is my best friend and favorite fur child,” said Holmes-Cain, adding, “maybe my favorite out of all of my children, including my real ones!”
Meet PIDGE
When Shannon Nee contacted It’s Meow or Never for Ferals (IMON) in Tallahassee, she was looking for a cat with two things: long hair and a couch-potato personality. While Nee’s match, Pidge, was a long-haired calico, she was full of puppy-like energy and playfulness. IMON president Jo Ann Hulls gave Nee a 10-day trial period with Pidge, and by then it was clear the rambunctious, chinscratch-loving kitten was the companion for her.
“My favorite thing about Pidge is how goofy she is,” said Nee. “Her favorite thing in the world is eating potato chips. If she so much as hears a bag crinkling in our house, she’ll come running in from the other room.”
Initially shy with strangers, Pidge is most easily won over by an offer of her favorite Hint of Lime Tostitos or a good toe tickle.
But, Pidge is not shy about letting you know when it’s time to play. Beneath Nee’s bed is where Pidge hoards her treasures, the most prized of which seems to be her obnoxious crinkle toys and mouse on a stick.
“She’s just the sweetest,” said Nee. “Sometimes, when you’re scratching her face, she’ll reach up and stroke my chin to show me where she actually wants to be petted.”
And, of course, Pidge gets her way.
Meet TANK
When Holly Meuth lost the dog she’d had for the last 14 years, Tank the Bulldog entered her life to heal her heart.
Turns out Tank, the heartworm-positive pup adopted from the Tallahassee Animal Service Center, has a knack for that.
Tank participated in the HART program, a Wakulla Correctional Institution inmate-led obedience course that helps dogs recover from heartworm treatment. Inmates loved the bully so much, they even painted him into one of the institution’s murals.
Too, he is a certified Animal Therapy pet through Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s animal therapy program. He has visited patients of the Children’s Home Society and has greeted young students at Woodville School.
For a big dog, he is serene. Meuth can count on one hand the times she’s heard Tank bark in the past 3½ years he’s lived with her.
“Tank is also the best big brother to the puppies we foster,” said Meuth. “He’ll just roll over on his back and let them climb all over him.”
When off duty, Tank is as carefree and content a dog as any other. He loves playtime and chowing down on cheese and peanut butter.
“When I look at Tank, I swear he has human eyes,” said Meuth. “He just wants to be anywhere I am, and I love how loving he is.”
Meet ANDY
For Mairym Castro, rescuing Andy from the Tallahassee Animal Shelter was the best decision she’s ever made.
Castro, a volunteer for the shelter, first spotted Andy in a kennel. “He immediately came up and started wagging his tail,” she recalled. “I volunteered to take him out and he was so excited, he knocked me off my feet. I knew then he was my dog.”
Andy, a chocolate Labrador mix, is a big ’Noles fan. He can often be found lazing on the couch with his dad while watching an FSU game or traveling to Poor Paul’s to catch happy hour.
Visiting restaurants, Castro said, is one of Andy’s favorite pastimes. A bigger fan of the destination than the journey (Andy experiences carsickness,) Andy knows he will inevitably get some chicken tenders.
The food-oriented fella also loves a plain cheese pie from Blaze Pizza, followed by a muchneeded cuddle session back home.
“My favorite thing about Andy is he always knows what kind of day you’re having,” said Castro. “There have been times when I’ve felt down, and he’d just come up and lay his head on me. He’s such a good boy.
“Coming home to him is the best thing in the world because he’s always so happy to see you. It’s hard to get mad at him about anything.”
Born to
Having a pet is a long-term commitment. That wiggling ball of fur you bring home as a puppy or kitten will most likely spend its entire life, up to 15 or 16 years depending on the breed, with you. It’s your responsibility to give that pet the best life possible.
Veterinarian Shane Burkhead at North Florida Animal Hospital said, “Preventive health care is not a lot different for dogs and cats than it is for people. It’s all about being proactive — having them examined on a routine basis by a doctor. Pet owners are doing a better job of noticing things and bringing them to our attention, and we’re doing a better job of doing blood work and searching for issues. I think all of that gives today’s pets a real shot at a long, active life.”
STORY BY KAREN MURPHY // PHOTO BY ROSS OBLEY
Exercise makes for healthy cats and dogs
← BOUNDLESS ENERGY Roxy, owned by Rowland Publishing’s Daniel Vitter, thrives on exercise.
“Proper maintenance will eliminate 90 percent of the health issues your pet would otherwise face.” — Margaret Hankley, DVM
↑ Regular wellness visits to a veterinarian help maintain pet health and may result in the early detection and treatment of issues before serious problems develop.
A visit to the vet, at least annually, also ensures the pet is getting the vaccines and parasite screenings it needs and sets pet owners up to provide proper flea, tick and heartworm prevention.
But what you do at home is as important as routine vet visits.
Dogs and cats need exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds and stay healthy. Exercise also helps pets avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors and anxiety issues. Supervised fun and games will satisfy many of your pet’s instinctual urges to dig, scratch, herd, chew, retrieve and chase.
Bradfordville Animal Hospital’s Margaret Hankley, DVM, said, “Even cats, to keep them from turning into Garfield, you always want to make sure they’re getting proper exercise. Just like with us, if you’re just sitting in the same spot day in and day out, it’s not good for your body. It’s not good for your mind.”
“Dogs require a lot more exercise than we would expect because they have the stamina to go for a long time,” Burkhead said. “When they’re in shape, they can cover a lot of ground, and it’s probably more than we would ever want to try to tackle on a normal walk.
Added Burkhead, “Your average dog sitting in the house on the couch gets excited and runs around the backyard when you come home, and you maybe throw the ball a few times. That’s just not enough.”
The other half of keeping a pet at a healthy weight is proper nutrition.
Burkhead said people feed their pets recommended amounts and think it doesn’t look like enough. But, he said, sedentary house pets don’t need a lot of food.
Hankley said to be careful about the type of food you buy. She says there is a lot of trendy food being marketed that’s not always in your pet’s best interests. She suggests asking your vet for recommendations based on the pet’s needs and your budget.
And then there’s grooming. Most dogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times a year. Hankley said if you bathe your pet more often, make sure the shampoo doesn’t contain harsh chemicals. Frequent brushing also keeps your pet clean and reduces shedding. Check for fleas and ticks daily.
Veterinarians also now recommend brushing your pet’s teeth.
That can be challenging when you’re looking at the long, sharp teeth of an unwilling German Shepard, but Burkhead said the trick is to start them young.
“Dental hygiene is hugely important because the older they get, the worse their teeth get, which leads to trouble,” he said. “It’s a constant source of bacteria in their mouth. The area between the gum and the tooth is the most biologically active area in the entire body. Whenever they chew their food, they crunch and disrupt vessels in the gums. Bacteria gets in the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body, which, over time, can cause kidney failure or heart murmurs.”
He suggests that when you’re cuddling with your pet at night, get in the habit of grabbing the toothbrush and pet toothpaste — it’s flavored and supposedly tastes good. Over time, Burkhead said, pets start looking at brushing sessions as a treat and a bonding time.
“If you can do it even once a week, anything to help get rid of some of the plaque in the mouth, it’s going to be hugely beneficial,” Burkhead said.
Hankley summarized things. “Proper maintenance,” she said, “will eliminate 90 percent of the health issues your pet would otherwise face.” TM
PHOTOS BY ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS: VASYL DOLMATOV (CAT) AND OLEKSANDRA POLISHCHUK (DOG)
Pet Maintenance
Components in regimens that promote good health differ little between humans and pets.
Routine vet visits
Exercise
↖ COMB OUT While dogs don't often need a bath — unless they venture into the kinds of places that, you know, dogs love — frequent brushing helps keep them clean and reduces shedding.
Proper nutrition
Grooming
Dental hygiene
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS: VERA CHEREDOVA (VET VISITS), BONEZBOYZ (EXERCISING), SVETLANA SHAMSHURINA (NUTRITION), IRINA CHEREMISINOVA (GROOMING) AND SIBERIANART (DENTAL)
The findings are not a surprise to Kristy Montee. She and her husband Dan Norman share their Tallahassee home with rescue critters, Phoebe, a petite 12-year-old terrier mix, and Archie, a sassy 2-year-old long-haired chihuahua. “There’s nothing like coming home and seeing that little face in the window,” said Montee. “They miss you, and they’re always so happy to see you.” As a side benefit, “They force you to get off your butt and walk,” she said. Pet owners talk about companionship and comfort as prime benefits of having a pet, especially important during the pandemic. “Adoptions have gone up” since COVD-19 hit, said Nicholas Petryk, a duty officer for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “It’s been found that people become less depressed when there’s an animal in the house.” A survey by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute backs that up, determining that “80 percent of pet owners said their pets made them feel less lonely.” Petryk himself has 14 animals at home
“When I’m home alone, — two cats, two dogs, an African grey parrot, a hedgehog, four Australian sugar gliders and four flying squirrels. These animals and volunteers, who attend classes he keeps me “I have a passion for animals,” said for eight weeks and are certified every two years, company. And after a long Petryk, who is also an after-hours wildlife rescuer at the St. Francis Wildlife Association and a volunteer for visit patients in hospitals, hospices, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, schools and libraries, said Stephanie Perkins, director of the TMH animal day, I’ll sit the Florida Wild Mammal Association. therapy program. down and “They’re good company, and they give One of the most compelling roles for these therapy there will be a flying me joy.” Dogs get a lot of credit as a human’s best friend, but don’t dismiss the appeal animals takes place in the courthouse. TMH provides animal therapy teams for victims of violent crimes. The program emphasizes that therapy dogs in the squirrel in my of other animals. courtroom can help calm traumatized victims so they pocket and “My parrot talks and whistles,” said can give statements and testimony that would otherwise a hedgehog on my lap.” Petryk. “When I’m home alone, he keeps me company. And after a long day, I’ll sit down and there will be a flying squirrel in be difficult or impossible for them to provide. “They’re mainly used for children,” said Perkins. “But anyone who is the victim of a violent offense — Nicholas Petryk my pocket and a hedgehog on my lap.” can have a tough time testifying. The dog is with Pet owners talk about the comfort they them, and it helps them reduce their anxiety. feel when they look into Fido or Fluffy’s Having a dog by their side makes them feel more big eyes. Somehow the world brightens. The value comfortable.” of that human-animal bond is at the heart of animal The teams work in child dependency courts as well therapy initiatives. as criminal courts, where the most stoic canines have The Animal Therapy Services Program at the ability to lie still, providing a constant companion Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare oversees 200 through an ordeal. teams and six species of animals — cats, dogs, parrots, Children, in particular, “come out of the rabbits, a standard horse and two dwarf horses. courtroom and they decompress, pet the dog, braid
its hair or they just fall onto the dog and cry or relax,” said Perkins.
Therapy dogs also help children learn. They’re part of a program called R.E.A.D., which helps reluctant young readers by having them read books aloud to a dog, which is accompanied by a volunteer.
In the process, kids become more confident and improve their reading and speaking skills.
Due to the pandemic, the program has made adjustments, switching to virtual visits for some of its programs and, in the hospital, connecting patients with pets and volunteers by ZOOM when possible.
In many settings, the dogs make a difference, she said. Perkins has seen Alzheimer’s patients sitting in a wheelchair with little interaction perk up when a pet therapy animal arrives.
Dogs can help with grieving, and they can often single out the person in a group who most needs help, she said. Animals have helped patients who have had surgery get up and exercise.
Perkins recalls a case involving a young girl who resisted walking or going to speech therapy but “she could use her arm to throw a ball to get the dog to retrieve it, and they would walk down the hall together.”
The animals “are just there to make people feel better,” said Perkins.
Antidotes to depression
At Florida State University, researchers Dawn Carr, Miles Taylor and Natalie Sachs-Ericsson have been studying how pets shape our well-being in different circumstances like grieving.
They found that while all individuals who lost a spouse experienced higher levels of depression, people without a pet experienced more significant increases in depressive symptoms and loneliness than those who had pets.
Dogs, in particular, may help people in stressful events, said Carr, because they are getting exercise and more social interaction by walking the dog, they can talk to the dog, stick to a routine and they feel like they matter.
Psychologist Corine Samwel was so impressed by the therapeutic value of interacting with animals that she launched a practice called Red Hills Equine Therapy and Consulting, which follows the EAGALA or Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association model.
The idea is that horses can be beneficial in the treatment of psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorders, autism, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues and family and relationship issues.
Clients can then work on their issues in a pastoral, peaceful setting on Samwel’s 5½ acres in eastern Leon County. Corine has three horses on her team as well as her human teammate equine specialist, Peggy Jordan.
Samwel calls the therapy experiential. “We use the natural, highly intelligent sensory ability of the horses to react to the clients.” (continued on page 156)
Judy Phipps and Dottie Hutchison
THE FIX THRIFT SHOP, the little shop that could …
Since its establishment in 2007, Be The Solution, Inc., has provided spays and neuters for over 40,000 animals in the Tallahassee area, resulting in a drastic decrease of animals in the Tallahassee Animal Service Center. Much of this success can be attributed to the thrifty hearts and creative ideas of the two women who started The Fix Thrift Shop.
When Gerry Phipps, the president of Be The Solution, began the organization, she was handing out vouchers for spays and neuters at local pet stores. She quickly realized having her own storefront was necessary and rented a space within Tallahassee Mall.
Where Phipps used the space to distribute vouchers, her mother-in-law, Judy Phipps, and Judy’s best friend, Dottie Hutchison, had bigger plans for the 600 square feet.
Not thinking too much of it at the time, Phipps let the women begin setting up 8-foot tables lined with clothing, accessories, small appliances and furniture. Phipps described these two friends as “hard-selling, shoot-from-thehip amazing women making sales out of a bank bag.”
In the first year, they made $8,000, and thus the “BTS Boutique” was born. Soon, those who were buying also began donating their items to sell. The community was buying and donating all in the name of assisting animals in need.
Eventually, Be The Solution moved into their current location. With this came a renaming to The Fix Thrift Shop, complete with a real cash register that takes credit cards and an office space where the vouchers are distributed.
The Fix Thrift Shop accepts donations of gently used items so that community members can have a two-for-one good feeling — shopping recycled and green while contributing to surgeries that prevent cat and dog overpopulation in Tallahassee.
“Those two women started something so meaningful and important that would later make a huge difference in the Tallahassee pet community,” said Phipps. “They sowed the seeds of the current Fix Thrift Shop that produces enough income to pay for 6,000 spay and neuter surgeries a year.”
The Fix Thrift Shop staff and volunteers
THE FIX THRIFT SHOP AND BE THE SOLUTION 1208 CAPITAL CIRCLE SE | (850) 545-2043 | BETHESOLUTION.US
North Florida Animal Hospital
What is a one unique benefit of a visit to NFAH?
We are one of the few hospitals in the region to achieve certification as a “Gold Standard Cat Friendly Hospital” with AAFP. We have been trained to focus on ways to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with visits to the doctor by our cat patient and parent. We have a feline-only entrance, feline-only exam rooms and feline-only boarding called Camp Catnip.
Cat Friendly Practice GOLD ®
By the American Association of Feline Practitioners What makes you a “BEST OF” winner for over 10 years in a
row?” We are counted among 15% of small animal practices in the country that are AAHA certified. AAHA sets standards of care for our pet pals’ best health (see AAHA.org) by providing guidelines for everything — from customer service and safety to patient care and surgery. It also certifies we are achieving those goals every three years. We are proud of our 90% score.
How does NFAH engage with the
community? One of many outreach programs we support is a local 501(c)(3) organization, Be The Solution. All 10 of our veterinarians donate their time, skill, supplies and a large majority of fees to help support affordable spay and neuter services for over 1,000 pets a year. This valuable service enhances the ability of pet parents to not only control overpopulation in our community but also to help them enjoy healthier, happier pets for life.
“Thanks to all of our pet parents for their patience and trust during COVID Curbside service!” TALLY TOP PET
Voted “Best Veterinary Clinic” 2006-2018 by the readers of Tallahassee Magazine
Capital Veterinary Specialists
Pet owners and pets alike find themselves grateful for the presence of Capital Veterinary Specialists as it is uniquely situated as the only clinic of its kind within a 300 mile radius of Tallahassee. By partnering with local veterinarians spanning North Florida and South Georgia, Capital Veterinary Specialists provides advanced specialty medicine and surgery.
Owners bring their fur babies to Capital Veterinary Specialists when they need specialized care and diagnostics in the areas of surgery, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, radiology, internal medicine and critical care. The facility has specialized equipment with oxygen support cages, ventilator support, fluoroscopy for minimally invasive surgery and CT/ MRI for advanced imaging.
With patients coming from Tallahassee, Thomasville, Wakulla, Panama City Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Live Oak, Tifton, Albany and more, the staff takes their position as the premier referral hospital in the region very seriously, ensuring that each doctor and team member is on the forefront of the latest in medicine, surgery and care.
“What’s most important to us is that pets and their owners know they are receiving the highest quality of care,” said Dr. Kevin Drygas, DVM, DACVS. “When clients come to us, our goals are to give them answers, ensure they are comfortable and confident in the diagnosis, and that they feel our compassion toward their pet.”
On staff, they have doctors that specialize in surgery, internal medicine, pathology, dermatology, radiology, critical care and urgent care. Throughout the year, they train interns and veterinary students as well as offering training to area veterinarians. This aids in fostering relationships and encompassing all aspects of veterinary care to best serve your pet.
The staff treats every client like family and every pet as if it were their own, promising that the health plan is in everyone’s best interest.
“It feels great to fix a fractured leg, but it feels even better to witness the benefits of that surgery when a dog is able to run alongside their owner again,” said Dr. Drygas. “The best part of this job is being able to restore the human and animal bond, enriching the owner’s life.”
Dr. Drygas and Boulder, a 200-pound Mastiff that tore his ACL. With corrective surgery it allowed him to run again.
Dr. Jehn and Kenny Donald performing minimally invasive surgery to repair a dislocated hip.
1615 MAHAN CENTER BLVD. | (850) 597-9764 | CAPVETSPECIALISTS.COM
Oakwood Animal Hospital
Much like a human going to the doctor, pets don’t necessarily look forward to a visit with their vet. Oakwood Animal Hospital strives to change that stigma and does so by providing a space where your pets feel welcome, like visiting with extended family.
Oakwood Animal Hospital is a small and exotic animal practice that provides all amenities outside of emergencies. Whether your pet is in for a yearly visit, a surgery or boarding, the friendly staff greets each animal with a dietary friendly treat and welcomes them into a room catered to animal and human comfort.
The Oakwood staff agrees that the best part of the job is getting to know your pet and witness it through each stage of life, ensuring that they maintain optimal health. In being such a close-knit environment, constant communication is key.
“Much like in human medicine, we work with you and your pet to find optimal health solutions,” said Dr. Jeanette Peterson. “We are here to speak for your pet since owners may not always know what pets are telling them. We educate owners, make everyone feel comfortable and ensure enough time is spent with the doctor so all parties leave happy and healthy.”
Oakwood believes all animals should have their voices heard as they work in close partnership with local organizations such as the Leon County Humane Society, Be The Solution and Animal Shelter Foundation.
Amber Deese, DVM, Josh Goodson, DVM, Jeanette Peterson, DVM
2528 W. THARPE ST. | (850) 386-1138 | OAKWOODANIMAL.COM
Ox Bottom Animal Hospital
WE PUT THE TREAT IN TREATMENT
Imagine a vet visit from your pet’s perspective: You are not fed, you are put into a small crate, carried to a hot car and then driven to a strange hospital where nurses hold you still while they stick you with needles … terrifying.
Unfortunately, this is the veterinary experience many pets face. These veterinary visits are full of fear, anxiety and stress (FAS), but they do not have to be. Dr. Lauren Combs and Dr. Brewster and their team at Ox Bottom Animal Hospital have taken many steps to provide fear-free veterinary care.
The first step as a pet parent is learning to recognize FAS. Check out FearFreePets.com for great resources. What can you do to help alleviate your pet’s fear? Call and request anxiety medicine, introduce the carrier a week before, heat or cool your car the day of and bring their favorite treats or toys with you. As a Fear-Free certified veterinarian, Dr. Combs and Dr. Brewster have trained their staff in proper handling techniques, creating quiet, calming environments and working with owners to reduce FAS. We are a Gold Standard Feline Friendly certified hospital and have had advanced training in reducing feline FAS.
Reducing FAS in our patients and our pets is a huge passion of ours. Together we can “take the pet out of petrified” and “put the treat into treatment!”
NORTH FLORIDA ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank you Tallahassee … We love what we do at North Florida Animal Hospital, and we look forward to serving you as the “Best of Tallahassee” winner over 10 years in a row! 2701 N. Monroe St. | ( 850) 385-5141 | nflah.com
FEAR FREE & FELINE FRIENDLY We are a locally owned, full-service companion animal hospital that provides fear free and feline friendly veterinary service to Tallahassee and surrounding areas. It is our goal to provide the highest quality and most up-to-date care.
2728 Ox Bottom Road ( 850) 329-7340 | OxBottomAH.com OAKWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL Founded in 1973, Oakwood holds the reputation of having loyal relationships with clients founded on their knowledge, compassion and service. Your furry family is part of our family when you step into Oakwood Animal Hospital. 2528 W. Tharpe St. | ( 850) 386-1138 OakwoodAnimal.com
CAPITAL VETERINARY SPECIALISTS Capital Veterinary Specialists provides exceptional specialty care to the pet owners of North Florida and South Georgia. As the only specialty veterinary center in the Big Bend region, they provide solutions to complex medical and surgical diseases. They work with compassion to ensure the health of your family pet member.
1615 Mahan Center Blvd. (850) 597-9764 CapVetSpecialists.com
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