TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

We Have A Winner

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - The business definitely deserved it.

That was the consensus from the staff of Temple Terrace Animal & Bird Hospital when they learned it was named the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Business of the Year.

Veterinarian Link Welborn, who co-owns the company with veterinarian Timothy Lassett, was on hand to accept the award during the Jan. 21 luncheon at the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club from award founder and longtime chamber member Ed Hanna.

The criteria for the honor, given only to privately owned businesses, is based on the company's economic and community contributions, increase in staff, growth in sales and facility improvements.

The animal hospital employees are annual participants in the Temple Terrace Fourth of July parade as well as numerous chamber-sponsored events. The business also offers discounts for its services to several area nonprofit animal rescue organizations.

The practice that was started in 1959 by veterinarian James Robinson and purchased in 1991 by Welborn and Lassett, increased its sales from $792,000 in 2004 to $1.3 million in 2008 and expanded its staff from 10 in 2004 to 17 in 2008. Its facility is in the midst of extensive renovations.

Welborn, a King High School graduate, has been associated with the practice since its inception. He worked there as a teenager and while attending the University of South Florida before earning his veterinary medicine degree from the University of Florida.

The Florida Veterinarian Medical Association named Welborn the 2006 Florida Veterinarian of the Year, and the American Animal Hospital Association honored him with the 2007 U.S. Practitioner of the Year. Welborn also received the University of Florida's 2009 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.

His employees give Welborn the credit for the business's success and the chamber's award.

"He's been involved in the business he excels in for almost 50 years, and he's also involved in the community," said Cassy Allbritton, administrator for the Temple Terrace practice as well as Welborn and Lassett's three other animal hospitals scattered throughout the county.

Temple Terrace hospital manager Kristi Stinson said the award is yet another way of showing Welborn's outstanding knowledge of his specialty and his passion for the community in which he was raised.

"He is the best veterinarian we have in Florida, and it is beyond pleasurable to work with him," Stinson said.

"He's very knowledgeable, and he's a wonderful person to work for," said veterinarian Megan O'Connor, Welborn's associate in the Temple Terrace office.
Welborn said winning the award is a "tremendous honor."

"We've been fortunate to have won a number of awards of a professional nature, but it's even more special to be recognized by the local community."

Antonio's Pasta Grille and Express Employment Professionals were runners-up in a contest that drew 21 nominees.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT