University Animal Clinic

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