Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Denney-Jones.
Hi Erin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My practice began in July 1995 as an ambulatory veterinarian for horses. What that means is my office etc was solely in my vehicle at the time. I used the local hospitals to develop my X-rays that were taken on film then. I attended the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as an Event Veterinarian for the equine sports. After 5 years of driving around Lake and Orange County as well as some of the surrounding counties, I purchased 10 acres to establish a home base for myself and other veterinarians that were to join my practice. Over the years I added 2 more veterinarians and a couple more technicians. Then the digital age came and we were trading our old “film based” x-ray units in for digital images seen within 3 seconds of taking them. Besides the new digital equipment, more sports medicine equipment was being offered for the improvement of the athletic horse. My practice has come full circle and I am now back to a solo equine practitioner primarily due to the fact that the younger generation is less interested in working on horses. I am happy with my career choice and have many stories and friends I have gathered along my journey. My solo practice is primarily a sport horse practice, working on the professional and amateur horse and rider combination. Keeping the animal I grew up loving in tip top shape is a win at the end of the day. Most of my athletic patients have been retired to their owners lovely farms or maybe have taken a step down in their work to help the next generation of enthusiastic riders attain their horse riding goals.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the struggles have been hiring equine veterinarians that are passionate about caring for the horses. My career has days with long hours and sometimes working weekends. Finding the right balance between family and career is a common problem but having a good family unit and understanding clients certainly helps. As I stated in the overview discussion, I attended and worked the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. There are many other well known horse shows and events I have worked that the horse people would recognize, but not the general public. As i have gathered “status” among my peers/colleagues, for example I have sat on the board for our local Florida Equine Practitioner Association (FAEP) which has blended with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) and I have also been on the board for the national association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), which allows for networking nationally and internationally. the local horse populations does not recognize the extent of my contacts and relationships I have built along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Florida Equine Veterinary Services, Inc, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As stated earlier, my primary interest is sports medicine for the equine athlete. My practice has many modalities to help the athletic horse stay healthy as well as an assistant that administers physical therapy and massage to keep them healthy as well. We have worked on well known horses and some family pets that mean just as much as the accomplished competitor.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Going to shows or events or even hearing stories of my patients doing well in the show ring after working on them. Seeing the newborn foal exploring it’s new environment when they get their first exam in life. Of course diagnosing the problem, treating it and watching the animal I Iove come to full recovery.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.floridaequine.com
- Instagram: floridaequinevet
- Facebook: Florida Equine Veterinary Service
- LinkedIn: Erin Denney-Jones, DVM
- Youtube: Horse First Aid
- Yelp: Florida Equine Veterinary Services
