Getting to Know Dr. Croft at Kingsland Blvd. Animal Clinic
In an effort to let our readers get to know the businesses in the area, each month Texas Cats & Dogs will sit down with these local companies and find out a little more about their services, products and even a little about themselves.
Our first interview was done with our featured Veterinary clinic, Kingsland Boulevard Animal Clinic (or KBAC for short). We were able to talk to one of the partners and active veterinarians, Dr. Croft, and ask him some questions about the clinic and beyond.
The beginning of KBAC began in October 1981 by Dr. Rebecca Nichols and Susan Randlett. Located in the current strip center, KBAC was on the opposite corner and much smaller. Dr. Croft joined the practice in June of 1985, he remembers, “It had 2 exam rooms, a surgery table and X-ray all in one room, one small treatment area, etc.” Back then they were open on Saturdays from 8am to noon. “Within a short time, our Sat. hours went to 8-2. We kept growing and enlarged the clinic to 3 exam rooms, a larger treatment area and a separate surgery room. I don’t remember when exactly, but we kept growing and our Sat hours went to 9-4 to keep up with all the appointments. We also expanded again to 5 exam rooms, more boarding and cage space, 3500 square feet, added grooming space , bigger reception area, etc.”, recalls Dr. Croft. As Dr. Croft thinks back, “My vision was to have a free standing clinic one day; however, the land was scarce around the area and too pricey. The landlord gave us a great deal to stay and move to the larger space we are at now. It is about 6300 square feet. So, after a year of planning, we moved in to the new space Oct. 2008.”
And this is not just your regular vet’s clinic. We were lucky to get a tour of the clinic during the Open House this past month, and let me tell you, this clinic is down right beautiful and very clean and organized. There are multiple private exam rooms, separate boarding areas for cats and dogs, an extremely well designed main room where exams and treatment can be done as well. There is an ICU area for recovery and an operating room as well. Kingsland Blvd. Animal Clinic now has 5 full time vets and 2 part time Vets. Says Dr. Croft, “None of us are true board certified specialists, but myself and Dr. Rico treat birds and exotics, Dr. Shows is known for his orthopedic surgeries. Dr. Randlett is known for her expertise on feline care.” KBAC offers a full service clinic which includes internal medicine, general medicine, surgery, radiology, dentistry, oncology, laser therapy, bathing, boarding, exotics, and a pharmacy. They are also planning to add training to their services as well as added rehab services.
So what makes Dr. Croft be so dedicated to healing our extended family members? “I had a desire to be a vet since I was probably 10. I have always enjoyed animals and was always interested in science. I took a science class in high school where you dissected a cat with a teacher everyone hated. I loved that class, not necessarily the teacher, but that really set in my desire and goals. I graduated from Texas A&M Veterinary School in 1985, which I got into after my junior year of undergraduate.” Dr. Croft has been happily married to his wife, Donna, for 27 years and has two sons Kevin and Bryan. “Donna and I actually went o the same Elementary school but really met and started dating in our senior year of high school.” Dr. Croft spent a lot of time like many of us fathers on a baseball field or scouting with our sons. He enjoys camping, fishing, bowling, hiking, and family time, and hopes one day to buy land out in the country and enjoy some country life. He has 1 dog, Bandit, a sheltie rescue dog, who is 13 years old. He also has 4 birds, 2 Quakers and 2 Cockatiels, one that s 26 years old. As for his sons, I would say Dr. Croft has done very well raising them; Bryan is presently a junior at Texas A&M in bio medical science. Kevin just graduated from Texas State with a degree in Criminal Justice.
On the Horizon for Kingsland Blvd. Animal clinic, Dr. Croft says, “My goals now for the clinic are for a steady, healthy growth and to stay up to date with changes in medicine and technology. We do have most of the newest updates as in our phone and compute systems, e-mails, websites, etc. We are continuing to grow. We have almost 35 employees now with an office and practice manager to try to run the clinic at its full potential.”
Dr. Croft promotes good service as the reason for their success, “I would contribute our growth over the years to reasonable prices, great customer care, good medicine, etc. Clients really love the vets at KBAC.” And after meeting the staff and the doctors, I could not agree more. This is one of the finest clinics around and only looking for ways to improve for the betterment of our families’ pets. From all of us at Texas Cats & Dogs, Thank you Dr. Croft and everyone at Kingsland Blvd. Animal Clinic. Keep up the excellent work.
