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San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital 3441 Allen Road • 661-588-3299 www.sanjoaquinvet.com
Thomas J. Willis, DVM & Travis Thurman, DVM San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital was established in 2000 and is a testament to Dr. Thomas J. Willis’ 29 years in the business of caring for companion animals and livestock. Dr. Willis was born and raised in Bakersfield and spent the summers of his youth working on his father’s farm. He often quips, “I can honestly say cotton is the reason I became a veterinarian.” Dr. Willis raised a variety of animals in his younger years and remembers deciding in seventh grade to become a veterinarian. After graduating from Garces High School, Dr. Willis received his bachelors degree in Veterinary Science from the University of California at Davis and subsequently entered the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine where he earned the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Willis practiced for 16 years in Merced and Stanislaus counties, primarily in the dairy industry. He and his wife, Linda, then moved back to Bakersfield and established San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital to provide care for the community’s large and small animals alike. The practice has since grown to include another talented veterinarian, Dr. Travis Thurman, who shares Dr. Willis’ passion for animals. “I am currently living my dream as a veterinarian,” he said. Dr. Thurman joined the practice as the second animal
“Our love of God, family, and community enables us to work well together. I think this spills over into the practice.” physician three years ago. At age eight, he was introduced to 4-H and he was active in FFA while attending Highland High School. After attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he continued on to veterinary school at St. George’s University in the Caribbean and then wrapped up his clinical year at Texas A&M University. He puts that diverse education to use here in town. At San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital, animals (everything from pets to livestock) can get full-service veterinary medical and surgical services. The doctors also make ranch and house calls, and place a focus on pain control and
production enhancement through healthy livestock. For added convenience, the hospital offers an in-house pharmacy and quality grooming services. Their facility houses a high-quality indoor boarding area with spacious animal pens on site. It comes down to an affection and appreciation of all animals. Dr. Willis and Linda have farm animals of their own that they are teaching their two children to care for. Dr. Thurman shares that love of animals outside the workplace as well, as he helps raise show steers and heifers for local 4-H and FFA groups in the county. “Our love of God, family, and community enables us to work well together. I think this spills over into the practice, where I hope our clients feel our concern and care for them and their animals,” said Dr. Willis. “This has been our number one priority at San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital, to let the community know we are there for them,” he added. www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Summer 2011 49