Our History and Our “Why”
University Animal Clinic was founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Robert Rill, a respected and beloved veterinarian in the community. Known for his compassionate care and wide-ranging expertise, Dr. Rill treated not only dogs and cats but also exotic pets—earning the trust of pet owners throughout the community. As he approached retirement, Dr. Rill sought a successor who would carry forward his legacy of excellence and deep passion for animals of all kinds.
In 2015, he found that successor in Dr. Leigh Samanowitz—affectionately known as Dr. Sam. With a strong background in both small private practice and large-scale veterinary operations, Dr. Sam brought a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future of University Animal Clinic.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Sam worked at a family-owned veterinary clinic, where she learned the importance of cultivating strong, personal relationships with both clients and team members. That close-knit, community-based approach left a lasting impression. However, she also recognized the limitations that came with fewer resources and less access to advanced diagnostic tools.
To broaden her clinical expertise, Dr. Sam later became Chief of Staff at a large corporate veterinary hospital. There, she had the opportunity to practice gold standard medicine with state-of-the-art technology and resources. But despite the high-quality medical care, she saw frequent turnover among both staff and clients—an outcome she attributed to a lack of focus on building meaningful relationships.
Determined to create something better, Dr. Sam and her husband set out to blend the best of both worlds: a veterinary hospital that offers top-tier medical care while fostering a warm, supportive environment for clients, patients, and team members alike. Since taking over University Animal Clinic, Dr. Sam has remained committed to that mission—and the practice continues to grow with compassion, integrity, and excellence at its core.
