University Animal Clinic
Sarasota, FL
At a glance
- Facility type
- Veterinary Practice
- Practice tier
- General
- Clinic type
- Standalone
- Operating status
- Operational
- Appointment model
- Both
- 24/7 care
- No
Species treated
Services
Accreditations
Amenities & accessibility
Overview
Locally Owned, Family-Operated, and AAHA Accredited Veterinary Hospital serving Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Bradenton areas. For over 30 years, University Animal Clinic has cared for pets and families across Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. Since taking ownership in 2015, Dr. Leigh, affectionately known as Dr. Sam to clients and friends, and Sam Samanowitz have grown the practice into a family-owned veterinary hospital delivering gold-standard care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and exotic pets alike
University Animal Clinic was founded more than 30 years ago by Dr. Robert Rill, a respected and trusted veterinarian in the Sarasota community. From its original location near University Parkway, the practice became known for steady, compassionate care. Dr. Rill treated not only dogs and cats, but also birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets. With nearly three decades of service to his community, Dr. Rill earned the loyalty of generations of families who valued both his medical expertise and his personal approach. As he began planning for retirement, Dr. Rill sought a successor who would continue that commitment to excellence and community. In 2015, he entrusted the future of University Animal Clinic to the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Sam and Sam Samanowitz
Mission — Our pets are everything to us, so we need to be everything for them. We are the voice for the voiceless, and we accomplish this by practicing gold-standard medical care to help pets live healthier, longer lives
Care capabilities
- Emergency
- Urgent Care Only
- End-of-life care
- In Clinic
Team at a glance
Individual names, titles & bios are in the practice intelligence layer below.
Technology & equipment
Services in detail
Show all 21 servicesShow fewer
Appointments & hours
Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday: 8:00am – 1:00pm, Sunday: Closed
Connect
Frequently asked
Is University Animal Clinic accepting new patients?+
Yes — University Animal Clinic is currently accepting new patients.
Does University Animal Clinic offer emergency or urgent care?+
University Animal Clinic offers urgent care appointments most days of the week (not a 24/7 ER).
Is University Animal Clinic AAHA-accredited?+
Yes — University Animal Clinic is an AAHA-accredited hospital.
Does University Animal Clinic treat exotic pets?+
Yes — University Animal Clinic offers care for exotic pets in addition to small animals.
What services does University Animal Clinic offer?+
University Animal Clinic offers General Practice, Wellness, Vaccination, Spay Neuter, Surgery, Dentistry, Imaging, In House Lab, and more.
What reviewers say
University Animal Clinic is widely regarded as a compassionate, highly skilled veterinary practice offering comprehensive care for dogs, cats, and exotic animals including birds and reptiles. The facility features a modern, clean environment equipped with advanced technology. The veterinary team is praised for their thorough explanations, gentle handling of anxious pets, and dedication during routine visits, specialized treatments, and end-of-life care. While scheduling challenges and occasional communication gaps can arise during busy periods, the staff is consistently commended for their warmth, professionalism, and follow-up support.
Frequently praised for
Aggregated from reviewer feedback across multiple sources.
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Review intelligence — sentiment, pricing & named staff
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Data as of July 2026. VetPulse aggregates public-record and licensing data; it does not represent the practice directly.