Our Story
Our Legacy
A Legacy of Compassionate Care
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.
Meet The teamDr. 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.
Our Journey
A Shared Journey
Dr. Sam and her husband, Sam, met as freshmen at the University of Florida. College sweethearts from the beginning, they built their lives around shared values of family, leadership, and service.
After graduating from UF, Leigh was accepted to Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. The couple moved to Baton Rouge just before Hurricane Katrina. After Hurricane Katrina, the city’s population nearly doubled overnight as people and their pets relocated there. For Leigh and her classmates, it meant being thrown straight into real-world medicine, caring for displaced pets and supporting families during one of the most stressful times of their lives. It shaped her not only as a clinician, but also deepened her compassion for clients and the role veterinarians play in their communities.
While Leigh pursued veterinary medicine, Sam had just graduated with a business degree. The sudden population surge made finding work challenging. He took a few different jobs to make ends meet before landing a teller role at Chase Bank, which unexpectedly turned into a 14-year career. Over time, Sam worked his way from Teller to Personal Banker, then Financial Advisor, and eventually Market Director, managing a team of advisors. His experience in leadership, planning, and team development would later become foundational to the University Animal Clinic’s growth.
The perfect mix
Blending Medicine and Leadership
After Leigh graduated, she accepted a veterinary associate position on Anna Maria Island, where she began her clinical career. After several years, she was recruited to become Chief of Staff at a Banfield Animal Hospital, gaining valuable leadership and medical management experience.
When the opportunity arose to purchase University Animal Clinic in 2015, Dr. Sam and Sam recognized the chance to combine their strengths in medical leadership and business expertise to build a practice centered on exceptional care, a strong team culture, and deep community involvement.
When the opportunity arose to purchase University Animal Clinic in 2015, Dr. Sam and Sam recognized the chance to combine their strengths in medical leadership and business expertise to build a practice centered on exceptional care, a strong team culture, and deep community involvement.
The perfect mix
A Thoughtful Evolution
Over the past decade, University Animal Clinic has continued to grow alongside the community it serves. As patient needs expanded, so did the vision for the hospital’s future.
In 2025, the practice entered a new chapter in a purpose-built facility located off Canon Street in the Lakewood Ranch community, designed to support modern veterinary medicine while prioritizing comfort, safety, and thoughtful workflow. The new animal hospital reflects the values that have shaped University Animal Clinic from the start and continue to guide Dr. Sam and Sam as owners: a commitment to their team, lasting relationships with pets and their families, and meaningful involvement in the community.
Book AppointmentIn 2025, the practice entered a new chapter in a purpose-built facility located off Canon Street in the Lakewood Ranch community, designed to support modern veterinary medicine while prioritizing comfort, safety, and thoughtful workflow. The new animal hospital reflects the values that have shaped University Animal Clinic from the start and continue to guide Dr. Sam and Sam as owners: a commitment to their team, lasting relationships with pets and their families, and meaningful involvement in the community.