By Lindsey Oechsle
One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places and explore, and it motivates you to look closely at life. After my adventures with TVMA 2008 Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year, Dr. Sherri Youngblood, and looking back on all characters I’ve had the pleasure to write about in this publication, I can say whole-heartedly that I am thankful for these gifts, and I cherish these opportunities.
My adventure with Dr. Youngblood began at a cozy café in San Antonio called Mama’s. It’s one of her favorite places, which—given the friendly hometown feel of the place—certainly speaks to her character. Among antique signage and well-worn paneling, vintage diner-style jukeboxes dot the walls at every booth. Ours just happens to display a selection of Doobie Brothers tracks underneath written instructions to “Please enter quarters SLOWLY.”
For those of you who do not know me, I must explain that Mama’s is my kind of place. I subconsciously take this into account as the hours pass and Dr. Youngblood and I carry on conversation as if we’re long-time friends. Looking back on the mid-morning banter, I realize that our surroundings had less influence on my comfort than my said company.
Dr. Youngblood’s warm smile, loud laughter and unpretentious nature would make anyone feel as if they’re talking with family or a close friend. What’s more? This isn’t an illusion of comfort and familiarity created by smiles and niceties, but rather an unmistakable kindness and compassion that exist in Dr. Youngblood’s soul.
I’m not the only one who feels this way. One of the managers and several members of the wait staff approach our table throughout our conversation to say hello to Dr. Youngblood, obviously a friend to all. They have questions about the kids, the family and the practice. Our waitress even asks professional advice regarding some cats that need a good home. Dr. Youngblood transitions from friendly regular small talk to no-frills professional straight talk on a dime. It’s fascinating to watch this dualism in her personality.
One can easily understand why Dr. Youngblood is recognized as a local celebrity. She has served her community in a variety of capacities. She served on the VMABC for several years (as president for one) and on San Antonio’s Animal Care Services Advisory Board for five years—as president for two—on which they did groundwork to raise the bar for animal care.
“There are a lot of emotions in animal care,” explains Dr. Youngblood “and some people can be rather unrealistic, but the outcomes have been great. They have a beautiful new facility and animals are now transported in nice, enclosed vans. I thoroughly enjoyed serving on the Board.”
When her two kids complete high school, Dr. Youngblood would like to get back on the Board and become involved in serving the city once again. It was an experience that she describes as “enlightening, rewarding and broadening.”
She didn’t approach this post with intentions of community service. In fact, she didn’t seek out the position at all. She received a call from a veterinarian who was stepping down from his service on the Board and asked her to take his place.
But in hindsight, she thought “How rewarding to serve your community with your passion, rather than just doing your day-to-day job.” At times she put more hours into the Board than her practice, but she has no regrets.
“It surely didn’t hurt my practice at all, and it helped me grow as a veterinarian. If I get involved with something, I give it my all.”
Today, Dr. Youngblood is the proud owner of Spring Creek Animal Hospital—a full-service medical and surgical facility for small companion animals. This 7500 square foot state-of-the-art facility was the next stop on our adventure.
After working as an associate for several years, Dr. Youngblood recalls a conversation she had with her husband, Jim. “If you’re working this hard…” Jim deduced, “shouldn’t you be working for yourself?” With that, Spring Creek Animal Hospital was born, and it has been a family effort ever since. She and Jim designed the building, and they even lived in the second-story apartment above the clinic for a short stint. Jim, a retired San Antonio Police Detective, now works as the hospital’s office manager. According to Dr. Youngblood, … “No one will look after your business as well as your own.”
When we arrive at the clinic a smiling Jim greets us along with Martha (the office cat) and several members of the staff. Everyone seems energetic, professional, and extremely happy to be at work. It’s refreshing, to say the least. The clinic is bright, orderly and clean. Warm sunlight pours through the many windows onto an open reception area. Fresh flowers sit unassumingly in a modest vase among stacks of reading material.
After a quick tour of the place, Dr. Youngblood answers a few of the staff’s questions and reviews the evening’s plans with Jim. It’s their daughter Rachel’s 16th birthday, and Jim is taking her to get her license after school. Everything for Dr. Youngblood involves family; which is understandable given her personal history.
A San Antonio native, Youngblood grew up as a twin in a family of six siblings. Add dogs, cats, goats, horses and chickens to the group, and you’ve set the stage for a great story in which passion and perseverance lead to professional achievements. The Hill Country Village home where Youngblood grew up is just a short drive from the hospital.
Although many changes have transpired over the years, her parents still live on the same beautiful plot of land. Behind the house is a stable of horses, which are Dr. Youngblood’s first love. Before she arrives for work each morning at the clinic, she is out in the stable tending to the horses. If it was her family who instilled the passion to work with animals professionally, it was Dr. Mike Willard (one of her TAMU-CVM senior year professors) who influenced her direction in the field.
“Challenges are what motivate me” says Dr. Youngblood, “and Dr. Willard introduced me to the challenges, diversity and high level of medicine and surgery that small animal practice offered.”
Although Dr. Youngblood doesn’t work with horses at her practice, she has hardly let go of her passion for them. It is a passion she has passed down to her two children—Rachel, 16 and John, 14. As with every aspect of Dr. Youngblood’s life, caring for horses is a family affair. The Youngblood’s raise, breed and show Arabian horses, and it is by no means a “side project.” Family vacations are an annual event, but instead of Disneyland, the family travels to New Mexico for the National Championship competitions. It’s a tradition that the family looks forward to all year. Dr. Youngblood and Jim are sideline supporters of their two children who both hold regional and national equestrian titles. Dr. Youngblood even extends her knowledge and passion to area youth in her current role as the Alamo Arabian Horse Association youth group coordinator.
Today, Dr. Youngblood has eight horses of her own in four different locations. My growing curiosity and her contagious passion lead us to our next and final stop of the day’s adventure. Just outside of Boerne, TX is a sprawling field lined in breathtaking white fencing. This is home to one of the Youngblood’s show horses. Tamar Crescendo, lovingly referred to as “Stitch,” is a 6-year-old Half-Arabian. He may be in the junior league, but this strong, regal beauty is already an award-winner. The resident trainer, Ashley, graciously meets us at the stables to give this rookie a glimpse into the world of show horses.Watching the magnificent animal in its training regimens, it is easy to understand the attraction to such an activity. Yet it is observing Dr. Youngblood as she interacts with Stitch that brings her story, and our day, full circle. She radiates with adoration for the horse and the sport.
It is no surprise, then, that Dr. Youngblood continues to be an avid horsewoman herself, involved in dressage, hunter, jumper and pleasure riding. When speaking of her love for riding, she uses words like “euphoric” and “exhilarating,” and the twinkle in her eye is familiar. It appears every time she speaks of her work in the field of veterinary practice.
“My job is not work,” she explains with a smile. “It’s my passion.”
