Everyone is Family at Manatee Veterinary Clinic

has come a very long way in the nearly 50 years it has been in business on Manatee Avenue. Established in the 1960s, the clinic is recognized today for providing some of the best animal care services in Bradenton.

During the month of March, Patch readers went through a rigorous voting process to determine which Bradenton business has the best customer service, and although Keeton’s nudged them out in the final round, Manatee Veterinary Clinic proved to have one of the strongest customer followings in town.

After spending just a few minutes with owner, Dr. David Doyens, and his staff, it is easy to see why Bradenton pet owners love Manatee Vet Clinic.

“We know all of our clients by name. We’re not so big that we can’t be personal,” said Doyens. “This place is kind of like one big happy family.”

The concept of family sits at the center of Manatee Veterinary Clinic’s philosophy.

Doyens and his wife, Victoria Grunlund, purchased the clinic in 2008 when they moved to Bradenton from Fort Myers. The couple met when Grunlund was working as a veterinary technician in Doyens’ emergency veterinary clinic and were wed in 2007. Grunlund still works alongside her husband, helping to manage the Bradenton clinic.

“I was looking for a practice anywhere in Florida, but when we came to Bradenton we kind of fell in love with it,” Doyens recalled.

“We wanted to raise our kids in a good place and Bradenton has a nice ‘small big town’ feel to it. It’s quiet, peaceful and easy going, but still has plenty of amenities. We love all the festivals, too – especially the De Soto Parade,” he added.

Along with their two children, Doyens and Grunlund currently have a grand total of 17 friends, furry and otherwise, that Doyens says they consider members of the family.

“We treat our patients with the respect as if they were our own pets,” said Doyens. “That’s a big part of who we are as a business.”

Doyens and the staff at Manatee Veterinary Clinic go out of their way to ensure that each patient receives exceptional care, even outside of typical business hours. As a courtesy, Doyens occasionally comes in on Sunday mornings so that clients can have privacy and solace when they put their pets to sleep.

Doyens said that prior to in Bradenton, he frequently came out at night to care for patients in need. He and Grunlund still respond to after-hours phone calls to provide consults and reassure pet owners in times when medical care can wait until normal office hours. Doyens also does house calls.

In the four years since he took over ownership, Doyens said the clinic has undergone “a virtual metamorphosis” to bring it up to date.

“With the exception of the building and the location, everything has changed here,” he said. “The staff has been updated, we introduced an electronic records system, installed new dental and surgery equipment and changed out the products we carry and use.

“The next thing we’ll take care of is that puke-green 1960’s paint on the walls in the exam room,” he added with a laugh.

The clinic specializes in internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, geriatric care, digital radiology, exotics, emergency medicine, and more. Although Doyens says he sometimes misses the excitement of the emergency clinic he operated in Fort Myers, he’s happier with his day practice.

“The shifts at the E.R. were pretty brutal,” he said. “I like that the day practice gives me more time with my family and I get to know and follow through with my patients.”

So what, at the end of the day, makes for great customer service? Doyens weighed in with his answer.

“Quality, honest medicine and transparency is key,” Doyens said, “but I think in our case it also really comes down to the excellent personnel.”

“My staff is the key to our success,” he added. “The individuals running the front desk are the ones who actually interact with the clients more than I do. As far as customer service goes, they’re the ones who should get the recognition.”