Dr. Bill Latter examines Hershey, a Chocolate Labrador All Creatures Animal Clinic in Lakeland.
Buy Photo SCOTT WHEELER | THE LEDGER (2004) Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 10:03 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 10:03 p.m.
LAKELAND | William Latter, a Lakeland veterinarian, is one of 10 semifinalists for a national "Vet of the Year Award" given by a pet insurance provider.
Latter, founder and lead veterinarian at All Creatures Animal Clinic, is the only veterinarian from Florida on the list released by Petplan. The company's judging panel will narrow the list to three finalists later this month and name a winner in March, a spokeswoman said.
The semifinalists were chosen from nearly 2,000 veterinarians nominated by pet owners, the Petplan spokeswoman said.
Latter, 56, said he wasn't aware of the contest until learning he had been named a semifinalist. He has since learned he was nominated by a client who owns a miniature Schnauzer.
"I appreciate being included," Latter said. "I must admit when I heard a little remnant about it I thought, ‘Gosh, there are a lot of good vets out there doing a lot of good work,' and I wasn't sure even what the criteria was. I'm not sure I really felt I was qualified for such a thing."
The semifinalists were selected on the basis of their education and professional achievements and customer service, said Chris Ashton, Petplan's co-CEO. Ashton said the selection committee included four veterinarians.
Ashton said Petplan's sister company in Great Britain has held such a contest for about a decade, and this is the first year the provider has offered the award for veterinarians in the United States.
"It's a great way for us to recognize the veterinary profession," Ashton said by phone. "At the end of the day, we're a pet health insurance company. Our product is being used in veterinary clinics. (The award) is our way of giving back a little bit to recognize how great the veterinarians are."
Latter, a graduate of Michigan State University, opened All Creatures Animal Clinic in 1988. The South Lakeland practice includes one other veterinarian and a staff of 35.
Latter offers services not found at most veterinary clinics. He became certified in veterinary chiropractics in 1989 and does spinal manipulations on dogs.
"I started it because my own back was bothering me, and I decided to go to a chiropractor, myself ," Latter said. "That's what helped me to think it might be something for pets. It was new at that time. Now it's a little more mainstream than it used to be."
Latter's clinic also offers hydrotherapy and the use of laser stimulation of muscles. At one point, he also had a staff member who did acupuncture on animals.
Latter recently started offering stem-cell therapy for animals with chronic arthritis. He said his staff harvests stem cells from an animal's fatty deposits, generates a culture and then injects the cells into the targeted joints.
"New things are coming along all the time," Latter said. "It's kind of an exciting time to be veterinarian."
All Creatures also has a staff member who handles pet nutritional issues. Latter said the clinic has a kitchen in which food is prepared for pets with special dietary needs.
Latter and his wife of 36 years, Sue Latter, own two dogs, a golden retriever and a boxer.
Latter demonstrations an unusual level of dedication to the pets in his care, said Susan Gray, an employee at the clinic for 23 years.
"He has stayed late, gone to clients' homes and handled emergencies nights and weekends, countless times," Gray wrote in an email. "He continues to treat both his clients and his patients with utmost care and respect — always having a smile and a kind word for each."
The winner of the Petplan contest and one guest will be flown to Great Britain with all expenses paid to receive the award.
[ Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Join his discussion of books at http://www.facebook.com/ledgerlit. ]
Originally posted here:
Lakeland's Latter In Running For Award