Both Dr. Eric Winchester and his wife Janis have strong ties to the Jacksonville community where they were born and raised. In 1972, Dr. Winchester received his veterinary medicine degree from Auburn University. His thriving practice started 30 years ago in the Murray Hill area of the city before opening the Julington Creek Animal Hospital in 1974.

Part of Dr. Winchester’s nine-acre campus had been a pasture. Dr. Winchester found himself treating not only small animals, but horses out of the hospital; the first to do so in the Jacksonville Community. When the horse population moved further south, Dr. Winchester began treating small animals exclusively.

The Winchester’s first son, Rod, was born in 1972 and he found himself working at the animal hospital as a small child; a true family business. Both Rod and younger brother Jason attended Bolles High School and both graduated from Mississippi State University. Rod followed in his father’s footsteps, earning his degree in veterinary medicine and then joining his father’s practice. It was at this juncture that the idea of the Julington Creek Animal Walk began to take place.

With a goal of creating the finest facility of its kind in the United States, Dr. Winchester, along with Janis, Rod, and daughter-in-law Shawn, traveled the country researching pet boarding and resort facilities. After looking at countless projects all over the U.S., they can confidently say that there is no other facility like the Julington Creek Animal Walk in the country.

So where are they going from here? One area that will be expanded in the near future is the Day Care Facility. This is one of their most popular services and there’s a real need to provide room for more visitors.

As an alternative to their dogs staying inside all day in a home or apartment, many clients choose to drop their dogs off for the day, giving their pets the opportunity to interact with other dogs and get plenty of fresh air, exercise and sunshine. Look for an upcoming announcement about the expanded Day Care, and bring your dog for a visit soon!