Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon-cutting for new animal hospital
(Left to right): Molly Packett (Pamplico, SC) Customer Service Representative, Sarah Wiggins (Lamar,SC) Veterinary Technician, Anna Dewitt (Chamber of Commerce), Amanda Gregg (Florence, SC) Groomer, Bethany Byrd (front left with the Dog), Amanda Boykin (Chamber of Commerce), Syrena Creecy (Florence, SC) Veterinary Assistant, Jenna Gainey (Hartsville, SC) Practice Manager-Hartsville location, Danielle Eads (Darlington, SC) Practice Manager- Florence location, Katie Eads, Kelsey James, Ryan James, DVM (Darlington, SC) Vet/Owner, Kelsey James, Kenzo Tochiki, DVM (Lima, Peru) Vet/Owner, Mayor Curtis Boyd, Sylvia James,, Dr. David Eads, Nancy Matthews (Chamber of Commerce), Blaine Eads, Ricky James and Ed James. PHOTO BY DAWSON JORDAN
The Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for the Florence Animal Hospital on April 13 in Florence. Florence Animal Hospital is at 2520 Melon St. (across from the Farmers Market). This location is right off Highway 52 and only a few miles from I-95. This location is the most convenient to the Darlington area. This brand-new facility is a part of an ongoing practice with Ryan James, DVM, and Kenzo Tochiki, DVM. James and Tochiki have been working together at the Hartsville Animal Hospital since they purchased that practice in 2014. James explains their relationship and plans to expand the practice: “We always planned to expand, with the hope that by creating a network of hospitals we would be able to offer the best possible care to our patients.” Both veterinarians will be working at the Florence and Hartsville locations on alternating days. Between both clinics there are five veterinarians total. James points out that one of the goals for this office was to ensure accessible and conveniently located veterinarian services for both Florence and Darlington communities. James says: “Our hope is that by being centrally located between downtown Florence and Darlington we can provide a more convenient location for people to take their pets for care.” The new facility has been designed with the experience of clients’ pets in mind. For example, the clinic is configured so that cats have their own separate room when boarding to ensure that they don’t become stressed while in the presence of dogs. In addition, sick and hospitalized patients can be kept in the ICU, which is connected to the treatment area. This ensures that patients are never out of sight. Attention to even the smallest details has been given with patients in mind. Textured flooring was used throughout the hospital because a slipping and sliding doggie is never a good thing. Tochiki wants “dogs to pull their owners in the door because they feel so comfortable at the hospital.” Bringing your pet to the vet doesn’t have to be a stressful experience and at Florence Animal Hospital, staffers are dedicated to serving the surrounding communities and ensuring that your pets are pulling you through the door and not out of it. Florence Animal Hospital offers state of the art boarding facilities and grooming services. If you would like to join the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce contact Anna Dewitt at (843) 393-2641. Florence Animal Hospital: 2520 Melon St., Florence SC 29501; 843-799-5125. Business hours: Monday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday 8 a.m.-noon. Thursday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Website: Florenceah.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceAnimalHospital
