 At just 13 years old, Sofia Sanchez, a student at Freedom Crossing Academy in St. Johns, is making waves in the dance world. Sofia is currently a top semi-finalist and on the verge of entering the finals in Ciara’s dance competition, which will conclude on March 27. If she advances, she’ll compete in the final round ending April 3. Should she make it through, she’ll be flown to Phoenix to perform live for a chance to be featured in Ciara’s music video. Supporters can vote by checking her Instagram @sofiperformer for the latest updates and voting details before April 3. When Sofia steps onto the dance floor, she captivates audiences with her magnetic presence, fluid movements, and undeniable skill. Her passion for dance is evident in every performance, and it’s clear that she is destined for greatness. Sofia began dancing when she was just 6 years old in Texas at Revolution Dance Center. Today she trains and dances at Britney Boyd Dance Company in Jacksonville, a pre-professional dance program for future artists pursuing a career in dance professionally. This program is run by the amazing Owner/Director, Britney Barber, and her amazing staff of versatile choreographers. Sofia was selected as a ProReveler for the 2024/2025 season through the REVEL Dance Convention, where she assists choreographers in teaching classes of 300-500+ students. She is currently on tour with them in select cities—follow her on Instagram @sofiperformer for updates. She also trains at the CLI Conservatory in Southampton, MA, during the summer under Creative Director Teddy Forance, alongside world-renowned choreographers. Her solo this year, a contemporary fusion and musical theatre piece, was choreographed by Liliana de la Mata, a former Britney Boyd Dance Company alum now training at CLI. The dance tells the story of a mysterious French lady, allowing Sofia to showcase her professional artistry. While this style pushes her out of her comfort zone, her stage presence makes it look effortless. Sofia excels in all dance styles, including jazz, jazz funk, fusion, hip-hop, contemporary, tap, and ballet. She competes in multiple styles throughout the season with her team. Each season, she chooses a different solo to challenge herself. At her level, Sofia trains under multiple professional mentors and dedicates 25-40 hours per week to dance, balancing daily training, competitions, and assisting on tour. Her work ethic, discipline, and passion set her apart—she is an athlete in the dance world, training with the intensity of an Olympian. Because she is versatile in dance and as an artist. Her goal is to do everything in the industry as a dancer, acting/TV, judging, modeling, singing, and choreographing in the artist industry Despite the competitive nature of dance, Sofia has learned not to compare herself to others. With the guidance of her coach and the unwavering support of her mom, she focuses on what she loves most—dancing. Her dedication, talent, and perseverance make her an inspiration to both children and adults. Her maturity and understanding of the importance of mindset set her apart. She believes that growth comes from constantly pushing boundaries and stepping outside her comfort zone. Her philosophy? “Trust yourself and never give up.” Faith plays a central role in Sofia’s life, and she keeps a journal to help her stay focused and process her journey. She also advises fellow dancers to “block out criticism as much as possible and just focus on yourself—kind of zone out from what others think.” A true fashionista, Sofia has been accepted into the Fashion Program at Bartram Trail High School for the 2025/2026 school year. She also plans to stay active in theater while continuing to train and dance professionally—her greatest passion and first love. With talent, determination, and a heart full of passion, Sofia is on the path to something extraordinary. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this rising star. 
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 As the warmth of spring gently nudges us outdoors, it also inspires a desire for renewal within our homes. Here in St. Johns, that urge to declutter and organize finds a perfect partner in Closet Factory Jacksonville, led by the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Jill and Sierra Flores and their team of designers, woodworkers, and installers. More than just creators of beautiful storage solutions, they are architects of calm, transforming cluttered spaces into sanctuaries of peace and efficiency.  Spring Cleaning Made Easy "Spring is the perfect time to reassess your storage needs," Jill explains, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “People start and end their day in their closets. Realizing the potential of this space to bring a daily sense of peace is truly powerful." It’s a sentiment echoed by Sierra, who emphasizes the transformative power of a well-organized home. "We have fun designing everything from dynamic closets to commercial spaces, to wine rooms to garage makeovers." What sets Closet Factory apart is its commitment to customization. With an on-site factory, they craft customized solutions that perfectly fit each client's unique needs. Forget cookie-cutter storage; here, every shelf, drawer, and cabinet is tailored to maximize space and simplify life. "We design spaces  Trends in Custom Closets & Storage Design expert, Sierra shares that this spring, trends in custom storage are leaning towards a serene, coastal cottage aesthetic. Linen-textured finishes in calming neutrals, paired with elegant gold hardware and classic Shaker-style cabinets, create a sense of understated luxury. For a touch of warmth and texture, custom rattan door inserts are gaining popularity. And for those bold enough to embrace color, sea mist green and deep blue are making a stylish statement. Beyond closets, garages often become the spring focus. “One of the first places people organize in the spring is their garage,” Jill notes. “By adding deep storage cabinets, homeowners can eliminate unsightly clear bins and other clutter, often saving enough space to avoid the cost of a storage unit altogether.” The transformation is swift, with a full garage makeover achievable in just two days. Jill recently renovated her own garage with over twenty-five years of belongings now artfully hidden within deep storage cabinets, the use of functional workspace, and new flooring.  This spring, as you consider refreshing your home, remember that organization isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that nurture peace and reflect your evolving lifestyle. And with Closet Factory, you’re not just investing in custom storage; you’re supporting a local business that’s deeply committed to making a difference on the First Coast. Whether you’re seeking a serene closet, a streamlined garage, or a way to give back, Jill, Sierra, and their dedicated team are ready to help you spring into a season of renewal. Closet Factory Cares! |
 | Through Closet Factory Cares, a national non-profit, Jill, Sierra & their team are doing great things right here in Northeast Florida! |
The Flores family’s commitment extends beyond beautiful storage spaces. Through their nonprofit initiative, Closet Factory Cares, they are making a tangible difference in the lives of local foster children.
Foster children need to move outside the home, and with foster homes in short supply, children are often shuffled between places to live. Moves happen often and many times, with little warning.
“Often, when a child enters foster care, they only have a trash bag with their belongings,” Jill shares, her voice softening. “Our goal is to give them something of their own, something that provides comfort and dignity.”
Closet Factory partners with organizations in Northeast Florida, like The Foster Closet and Isaiah 117 House, donating backpacks filled with essential items twice a year. The entire team participates in donation drives, finding immense purpose in giving back. “Seeing the impact of these backpacks reminds us why we do what we do. It’s our duty to give back to the community,” says Jill, who recently joined the national Closet Factory Cares board.
Among those children Closet Factory Cares will serve are those in the foster care system. More than 376,000 children in the U.S. were in the foster care system, according to the most recent numbers available from KIDS COUNT Data Center, an initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Foster children need to move outside the home, and with foster homes in short supply, children are often shuffled between places to live. Moves happen often and many times, with little warning.
“Often, when a child enters foster care, they only have a trash bag with their belongings,” Jill shares, her voice softening. “Our goal is to give them something of their own, something that provides comfort and dignity.”
Closet Factory partners with organizations in Northeast Florida, like The Foster Closet and Isaiah 117 House, donating backpacks filled with essential items twice a year. The entire team participates in donation drives, finding immense purpose in giving back. “Seeing the impact of these backpacks reminds us why we do what we do. It’s our duty to give back to the community,” says Jill, who recently joined the national Closet Factory Cares board.
Among those children Closet Factory Cares will serve are those in the foster care system. More than 376,000 children in the U.S. were in the foster care system, according to the most recent numbers available from KIDS COUNT Data Center, an initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
“Our goal is to give them something of their own, something that provides comfort and dignity.” Jill Flores
Local Fashion Designer & Business Owner Claudia Maya Reflects on an Invitation to New York Fashion Week & How it shaped her Brand
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The Inspiration Behind Uniquely Claudia Boutique
Uniquely Claudia Boutique was born from my passion for fashion and desire to empower women to feel confident and unique in their style. After years as a Marketing Communication Executive in the Oil & Gas industry, I sought a more meaningful and creative path. I wanted to create a space where women could find pieces that not only looked beautiful but also celebrated their individuality. Moving from corporate to fashion allowed me to connect with my community on a personal level, witnessing how the right outfit can transform confidence and outlook. The boutique offers high-quality, versatile designs in an intimate setting where every customer feels valued.
The New York Fashion Week Experience
Being invited to showcase at New York Fashion Week was an incredible unexpected milestone for Uniquely Claudia Boutique. A fashion industry contact recognized our unique style and recommended us as an emerging brand, leading to an official invitation to this prestigious event. NYFW symbolized years of hard work and dedication to empowering women through fashion. It inspired me to take the boutique to the next level, sparking the launch of our own clothing line. The experience reaffirmed our mission and expanded our platform to inspire women worldwide. New York Fashion Week has always been a symbol of creativity and influence in the fashion world, and to be a part of it felt like a dream come true. It was a powerful reminder that following your passion and staying true to your vision can open doors you never imagined.
Creating the Pearl Collection
With just six weeks to prepare, I designed the Pearl Collection, a line featuring elegant, timeless pieces unified by delicate pearl accents. Pearls have long symbolized elegance and timeless beauty, which aligns perfectly with Uniquely Claudia’s mission to create chic, empowering fashion that celebrates individuality. Each design reflected our boutique's blend of classic and modern femininity, with pearls adding a touch of grace and individuality. Collaborating with seamstresses, we carefully placed each pearl to enhance the collection’s sophistication. Seeing these designs shimmer on the NYFW runway was a powerful moment, highlighting the elegance and empowerment at the heart of Uniquely Claudia.
Looking Ahead
NYFW has profoundly shaped Uniquely Claudia’s future, inspiring us to expand our collections and introduce exclusive designs that blend authenticity, quality, and empowerment. Our goal is to become a destination where women find fashion that celebrates their uniqueness while fostering confidence and connection. This experience has opened doors for collaborations, growth, and a broader reach to inspire women through timeless, chic designs.
Check out Uniquely Claudia Boutique at 1520 Longleaf Pine Pkwy Suite # 102, St Johns, FL 32259 or online at www.uniquelyclaudia.com
We live in a world that has adopted the theory that less employee cost is a boost to profit margin and automation is a catalyst to inexpensive productivity. We have all experienced the impact of this thinking when we have shopped at a WalMart store. After filling our shopping carts with the goods we desire, we are then tasked with the burden of “self-checkout” and self - bagging. Then after we have loaded our carts, scanned our items, bagged our goods and paid our bill, we are asked to prove it by the one human now involved in our transactional efforts, as we depart the store. And I’m imagining that right now you all have a smile on your face as you nod your head in agreement from an experience you’ve had like this at many corporate retail stores in our area.
At our facility, we take quite a different approach stemming from a belief that the impact of human compassion and care can make a big difference in the outcome of an experience. And that if that experience is a good one, our clients become bonded to us for many years.
At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we proudly have the right number of employees necessary to allow each client visit to be met with the warm impact of a minimum of 4 different people caring and helping each client enjoy a healthy dose of care and compassionate service.
At our facility, we take quite a different approach stemming from a belief that the impact of human compassion and care can make a big difference in the outcome of an experience. And that if that experience is a good one, our clients become bonded to us for many years.
At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we proudly have the right number of employees necessary to allow each client visit to be met with the warm impact of a minimum of 4 different people caring and helping each client enjoy a healthy dose of care and compassionate service.
We do this as a standard of service that is focused on supporting our clients through education of their pets best health options and a level professional knowledge in the arena of Veterinary Medicine that is second to none in our industry. It is this point of difference that allows our practice to serve our community and our clients in a manner appropriate of their investment in their pets lives.
As we designed our company, we wanted our service to represent our strong desire to keep the human element on point. So many of the Veterinary Practices in our industry had sold to corporate entities, that thinned the level of employees and thus the human element and impact.
We wanted our clients to be not only well cared for but also well serviced in the many aspects of our involvement with them. So, Dr. Deckard designed a well defined hospital layout of professional Veterinary Technicians who would have the capacity to operate a Veterinary Hospital much like a human hospital. Positions, people layers and supporting teams and departments would be organized to handle multiple levels of clients and needs.
As we designed our company, we wanted our service to represent our strong desire to keep the human element on point. So many of the Veterinary Practices in our industry had sold to corporate entities, that thinned the level of employees and thus the human element and impact.
We wanted our clients to be not only well cared for but also well serviced in the many aspects of our involvement with them. So, Dr. Deckard designed a well defined hospital layout of professional Veterinary Technicians who would have the capacity to operate a Veterinary Hospital much like a human hospital. Positions, people layers and supporting teams and departments would be organized to handle multiple levels of clients and needs.
A multi-doctor unit would be on point to direct the highest quality in medical care, and a management staff built of years of leadership skills would be the catalyst to ensure the level of quality we desired. The numbers of staff were developed to allow a team approach to each client to create a multi-touch point strategy for each visit. The focus on “profit” was left out of the equation to success, as we focused on the clients needs.
Our key to success is in the training and “Mentorship” of these important employees, designed to represent the core focus of our practice. We realized that as we harnessed the amazing talents of our people, the sharing of those talents and the training of the teams, was uber important. So we began a process of training protocols and schedules for all employees. We incorporated the years of experience of many of our key personnel and utilized our leaders to share the summative wealth of experience. Mentorship is in itself, a marvelous opportunity to lead and share in a cumulative result. And we have seen tremendous results when applied. Our Hospital Technicians, numbering 26, have a cumulative experience level equaling 94 years! Our 7 doctors together have an experience level of over 45 years. When a clients pet is being treated or having a procedure, it’s that depth of cumulative knowledge that provides the very best opportunity for success as our doctors communicate together over the medical details.
What a true benefit for a client to draw that level of input for their pets care. What a huge benefit to our doctors to be able to count on the Team of DVM’s for input and experience to provide the best outcome for our clients. Utilizing that depth of experience in a mentorship format, breeds a thorough level of quality output, supported by the numbers in each of our departments.
Our practice also embarked on a program with the United States Military known as the SkillBridge Program. Designed by the military, this program helps military personnel embarking on a life away from their branch in the private sector as a civilian. Qualified industry companies adopt approved candidates for training in the career industry of their choice.
These companies are given between 90 to 120 days to train these military persons and prepare them for their next steps as a civilian. Currently Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital is the only approved veterinary practice in the United States. We are honored to offer these amazing people who have served our country well by serving them in our mentorship training program, as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
As we continue in our never ceasing effort to care for our clients and their beautiful pets in the highest quality medicine and the very best compassionate care, we continue to look for opportunities to prioritize the human impact element as paramount to that success. Our highly staffed and operated practice with it’s 75 current employees is well poised to serve and care for anyone looking for that level of involvement and focused care for their pets and families. It is now, as it was when we began, a true honor to serve our local community in a family owned and operated business that cares for people in a manner befitting of their investment in their pets. And it is our faith in God’s purpose for our practice that we continue in that effort as we share His love for our community.
We are thrilled to feature a very special group—The Foodies of The Secret Avocado Toast Society! 🥑 These local business owners and food enthusiasts reveal their top picks for must-try restaurants in St. Johns County.
We will be highlighting the hidden gems and culinary favorites as chosen by our voters, St. Johns locals - you don’t want to miss it. Wether you read it online or receive it in the mail - we hope you get inspired to explore the amazing food and wine scene in our community!
Thank you to Nikki Lyn Holm, Angie King, Angie Lacey, Leighann Triplett and Rhian Richard, as well as Ember & Iron! Learn more about the Secret Avocado Toast Society here!
We will be highlighting the hidden gems and culinary favorites as chosen by our voters, St. Johns locals - you don’t want to miss it. Wether you read it online or receive it in the mail - we hope you get inspired to explore the amazing food and wine scene in our community!
Thank you to Nikki Lyn Holm, Angie King, Angie Lacey, Leighann Triplett and Rhian Richard, as well as Ember & Iron! Learn more about the Secret Avocado Toast Society here!
How did the Avocado Toast Society get started?
It all began with a fun, quirky name that sparked a bigger idea! Nikki-Lyn Holm, owner of The Coastal Home Group and Business Development Director (co-owner) of Stageology, is well-known for her passion for building relationships and connecting people within the community. Inspired by her friend’s daughters, Nikki enthusiastically adopted the fun name and idea (with permission, of course!) and shared her vision for a networking group with her close friend and collaborator, Angie King of Allstate Insurance.
In April 2023, Nikki and Angie launched an intimate networking group on the patio of Clean Juice Nocatee, owned by Angie Lacey, who is always open to hosting events that spotlight small businesses in the area.
What makes this group unique? They hold consistent monthly lunch meetings to foster intentional connections and allow just one representative per business category, but ensures the members are a good fit, and in it for the long haul. From the beginning, the group has been supported by influential community leaders, including Leighann Triplett of Milestone Title and Rhian Richard, owner of Primp Mobile Salon. The rest is history!
Christmas Market Collaboration!
One of the creative ways the Secret Toast Society collaborates is by many of the members coming together to support an annual Christmas Market, held in Nocatee at Clean Juice each year for the past five years. Their 5th annual holiday event will be held on Saturday, December 7th, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Join them for an afternoon of photo ops with Santa, festive fun with local vendors, unique holiday shopping, and delicious treats. Plus, don’t miss the fall-inspired seasonal menu at Clean Juice featuring flavors that perfectly capture the essence of autumn!
Foodie Vibes
These savvy ladies have their finger on the pulse of Northern St. Johns’ vibrant food scene, sharing insights on their favorite restaurants and go-to spots for Mexican cuisine. Whether it’s fresh guac or tacos that make their hearts sing, their recommendations are always on point. Expect some hidden gems, from casual eateries to fine dining experiences, with flavors that support the local culinary spirit!
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Nikki-Lyn Holm
Coastal Home Group
& Stageology
"I love how our group fosters connections and supports the local community so well. Not only during meetings, but beyond...building authentic relationships, that have grown into really sweet friendships too.
Fun fact: I met my husband two days before Christmas over 10 years ago, and we got married 18 weeks later!
Business: The Coastal Home Group is grateful to be a top 1% production team in Northeast Florida. A few differentiators about us: Our knowledge and expertise in staging, knowing the market, new construction, military, first time home buyers and relocation. In addition, creating VIP experiences and doing right by our client is always our # 1 priority.
Favorite spot: Ember & Iron, and for Mexican? Anejo in Nocatee for the queso and guac...But Tommy Bahama’s for their File Tacos!
Angie King
Allstate Insurance
"Our group is intentional about creating genuine, supportive relationships that foster personal and professional growth."
Fun fact: I'm a rare Jacksonville native!
Business: We focus on continuous development to help protect people from life’s uncertainties. From new policy to claim, we want to show up well for our community and customers. This is our mission!
Favorite spot: Cap’s on the Water, for the view and sunset; for Mexican, Salsas and Cantina Louie—bring on the fajitas and margaritas!
Special Event: We are so very excited to be able to offer a new auto product in FL soon. Launch day was originally 10/15/2024 but got pushed back from the hurricanes but should be any day now. If you haven’t checked in with us recently on auto insurance, call or text asap!
Angie Lacey
Clean Juice, Nocatee
"The Avocado Toast Society is where creativity and connection come together, supporting each other’s growth."
Fun fact: I wake up at 4:15 a.m. to start my day with a workout!
Business: Clean Juice Nocatee is more than a juice bar—our commitment to health and wellness sets us apart.
Favorite spot: Valley Smoke for the cozy vibe and waterfront views. For Mexican, Anejo never disappoints!
Leighann Triplett
Milestone Title
"I love being part of a close-knit group that truly cares about helping each other grow."
Fun fact: Growing up in a military family, I lived all over the world!
Business: Milestone Title prioritizes clear communication and making every transaction seamless.
Favorite spot: Palm Valley Fish Camp for fresh seafood and unbeatable bread pudding. For Mexican, Anejo Cocina is our family’s go-to!
Rhian Richard
Primp St. Johns
Fun fact: I’ve never eaten a hamburger!
Business: Primp St. Johns is all about serving busy women by bringing beauty services right to them.
Favorite spot: Eleven South for their amazing cheese board. For Mexican, Bar Taco—I’m excited for their new location in Jacksonville!
Special for November: We’re offering a family photo package with sunless tanning, makeup, and hairstyling.
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The 25th Anniversary Exhibition will display exciting work by 53 artists, in a mixture of past and present members. This is a milestone for the gallery and the arts community in general; a veritable Who’s Who in the local art scene and beyond. This reunion of well established fine artists highlights the vibrancy and resilience that exists in St. Augustine’s arts community.
| The celebration kicks off on First Friday October 4th from 5-9 pm. Meet the Artists, enjoy memories and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment by the House Cats, and a champagne toast at 6pm. Established in February 1999, Butterfield Garage Art Gallery is the brainchild of artist Jan Miller. Her vision was to create an artist-run gallery for professional artists that would encourage creative experimentation. She was affectionately dubbed “The Mama Cat” by the 12 artists who came together for their first meeting in late 1998. The gallery opened its doors in February 1999. Since then, the Gallery has provided its artists with the chance to grow and take advantage of opportunities that may come their way through exposure in a professional gallery. True to the gallery’s original mission: it continues to be a leader in the presentation of traditional and contemporary visual arts in Northeast Florida, and to encourage the experience of direct accessibility and dialogue between artists and their customers. Twenty-five years of success have allowed the gallery to establish its reputation for highlighting the area’s most distinguished professional artists, peers who are selected by a jury process and expected to exhibit their best work, as well as their experimental work and, once a year, their old work in the Annual Fine Art Garage Sale. Member artists share their process, contacts, and camaraderie. They offer a dynamic and diverse array of styles with regular changing exhibits. Many show their work in the St. Augustine Art Association, and outdoor art festivals, and answer calls for opportunities nationwide. Join Butterfield to celebrate the impact Butterfield has had supporting the local art scene. The Exhibition will be on display through October 31. The Gallery is open daily 11-5. The celebration continues during the month of October with Outdoor Art Studio Saturdays. Join Butterfield in our Group Events on the Portico Sat October 12; 1-4 pm Live Model with Still Life Event Former Energy Lab artist, Tiffany, will be our seated model with still life. Enjoy an afternoon of making art together in front of the gallery. Bring materials, drop cloth and easel, whatever you need . You can set up early Sat Oct 19; 1-4 pm Silk Screen Demo Silkscreen demo with Nancy Hamlin-Vogler and friends. Watch and participate as they print the Butterfield Garage logo on fabric and tote bags. | Butterfield Garage Gallery is pleased to welcome back the following former artists members spanning 1999-2024.: Maribel Angel Gerald Branch Barbee Cunningham Toni DeWitt Joseph Paul Getchius Hillary Gross Xi Guo Nancy Hamlin-Vogler Ted Head Wendy Mandel Jan Tomlinson Master Jan Miller Sydney McKenna Marcia Myrick Siany Laura O’Neal Rosamond Parrish Laine Quinn Beau Redmond Juliana Romnes Barbara Sarvis Joe Segal Theresa Segal Teri Siewert Jo Sinclair James Sanford Wendy Tatter Angie Faye Ullmann |
Featured Artists:
Gwen Mehler
| Gwen works in a composite realism style, featuring animals juxtaposed with everyday objects and patterned backgrounds. She is particularly drawn to animal portraiture exploring the patterns of nature such as the feathers of a bird or the lines in some fur. She further uses acrylics and patterns to show the connection between nature and design and showcase and enhance the beauty and uniqueness of the subject. An avid quilter, Gwen has always been drawn to patterns. Gwen explains “I find that incorporating them into my work inspires serenity in me and balances the technical process.” Gwen Mehler is a Self-taught Artist, born in born in Washington Township, New Jersey, She currently lives and works in Fleming Island, Florida. She has been an artist at Butterfield Garage Art Gallery since 2022. |  |
Dave Tuttle
| Dave draws on a supply of metal which he's collected over the years from machine shops, warehouses and individuals. His metal work is often infused with mixed media materials such as epoxy resin, polymer clay, alcohol ink, rivets and wire, to name just a few. The heart is a common motif. As a secular humanist he strives to convey compassion, tolerance and empathy thru his work. In December he will be the featured Artist at Butterfield with a new series of robots creations called Metallic Whimsy. He’s a self-taught metal and mixed media artist living and working in St. Augustine. Davee migrated from Salt Lake City, Utah in 2019 and work out of his metal shop and home studio where he uses a variety of tools to create works such as hearts employing recycled materials, robots and industrial lamps. From small handheld magnets to 5 foot sculptures, each one a delight to see! |  |
Photos provided by Ozzy Trevino Photography ozzytrevino.com
We offer a big welcome to Trout Creek Academy, the newest gem in Northern St. Johns! Nestled on approximately 26.5 acres on Timberwolf Trail in the charming Shearwater neighborhood. Doors will open to local students in August 2024.
Trout Creek Academy will welcome 1,200 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, offering a blend of traditional and innovative learning environments. Unique classroom design allows for both grade-level groupings and multi-age interactions, facilitated by dynamic teaching teams. Moveable walls between classroom pairs enhance a team-teaching approach, while common areas with computer labs and kitchen spaces provide versatile learning settings. These features empower dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals to employ diverse instructional methods tailored to each student’s needs.
St. Johns Magazine was thrilled to learn more about Principal Katie O’Connell, who will lead Trout Creek Academy from its inception, supported by Assistant Principals David Barnes and Sam Sawruk.
Go Terrapins!
Trout Creek Academy will welcome 1,200 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, offering a blend of traditional and innovative learning environments. Unique classroom design allows for both grade-level groupings and multi-age interactions, facilitated by dynamic teaching teams. Moveable walls between classroom pairs enhance a team-teaching approach, while common areas with computer labs and kitchen spaces provide versatile learning settings. These features empower dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals to employ diverse instructional methods tailored to each student’s needs.
St. Johns Magazine was thrilled to learn more about Principal Katie O’Connell, who will lead Trout Creek Academy from its inception, supported by Assistant Principals David Barnes and Sam Sawruk.
Go Terrapins!
Principal Katie O'Connell with Assistant Principals David Barnes and Sam Sawruk.
Meet Principal Katie O’Connell, the inspiring leader of Trout Creek Academy.
Beginning her educational journey at Bartram Trail High School in 2000, Principal O’Connell brings 25 years of rich experience across elementary, middle, and high school administration, with 14 of those years in leadership roles. Her unwavering passion for education drives her commitment to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for all students.
Outside the school setting, Principal O’Connell enjoys an active lifestyle filled with playing and watching sports, reading, beach visits, traveling, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Her enthusiasm and dedication make her a remarkable addition to Trout Creek Academy.
What inspired you to become the Principal of Trout Creek Academy and what is your vision for its future?
I was inspired to become the principal of Trout Creek Academy by the opportunity to shape a nurturing and empowering educational environment from the ground up. Our mission is to nurture curious minds and empower students to discover their unique strengths. My vision is to see our students embody the spirit of the Terrapin—strength, resilience, and adaptability—as they persevere and excel in their educational journeys and beyond.
How do you plan to create a positive and inclusive school culture for both students and staff?
At Trout Creek Academy, creating a positive and inclusive school culture begins with embracing our core values of integrity, collaboration, and mutual respect. We will implement daily FLOW sessions for elementary students and weekly CREEK sessions for middle school students to close achievement gaps and promote a supportive learning environment. Trout Creek Academy will be the only licensed Energy Bus School in St Johns County, following the positive philosophy of Jon Gordon. We will thrive by filling each other’s fuel tanks, celebrating our Chief Energy Officers (CEOs) and enjoying the ride!
What unique programs or initiatives will the school offer to enhance student learning and engagement?
Our unique programs and initiatives at Trout Creek Academy are designed to enhance student learning and engagement by catering to diverse interests and needs. We will offer clubs such as the STEM Club, Character Counts Club, Girls on the Run, Odyssey of the Mind, and the National Junior Honor Society. These programs provide students with opportunities to explore their passions, develop new skills, and build character. Additionally, our daily FLOW sessions and weekly CREEK sessions will support flexible student groupings that will extend classroom communities building wide.
How will you involve parents and the community in the school's development and ongoing activities?
Involving parents and the community is a cornerstone of our approach at Trout Creek Academy. From day one, parents have been integral in creating our school identity and community. We encourage parents to volunteer, serve as SAC representatives, and participate in our PTO. Regular communication and collaborative events will ensure that parents and community members remain actively involved in the school's development and ongoing activities. We are really looking forward to Meet the Teacher, our first dance, Grandparent’s Day Breakfast, Fall Festival and all of the family events we have planned for this year.
What extracurricular activities and programs will be available to students, and how will they contribute to the overall development of the students?
Trout Creek Academy will offer a variety of extracurricular activities and programs to support the overall development of our students. Clubs such as the STEM Club, Character Counts Club, Girls on the Run, Odyssey of the Mind, and the National Junior Honor Society will provide students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and build strong character. These activities will complement our academic programs by promoting teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, and physical fitness. Through these diverse opportunities, students will develop a well-rounded skill set that prepares them for future success.
Where Excellence in Client and Pet Experience Take Center Stage!
Have you ever gone to a retail store or service location, only to walk in and wonder, “does anyone work here?” In today’s economy, that has become a much more prevalent problem.
As the increasing costs of manpower, insurance, overhead and supplies cut the profit from all companies bottom line, often a reduction of employee count is the first place to cut back. The challenge to that adjustment is that the key element of client service, can often go to the wayside. In fact, in many cases, these cuts have led to automation in place of customer service. For instance, I just purchased a large shopping cart of items from a very large retailer today. I walked down the aisles, selected all the items I needed, walked them to a check out counter, where I then became the cashier in charge of scanning them, bagging them, and placing them into my cart once again to prepare to leave. I walked out the door of the store, and out to my truck where I loaded over $400 of items into my vehicle, and then, as any caring person would do, I walked my shopping cart to the cart roundup for the retailer. As I drove away, I realized that not one person had greeted me, spoken to me, checked on me, or even asked me if they could help in any form at all. I literally had zero level of customer care other than some automated camera security system must have recorded, I was not even recognized in the retailer’s location. Now certainly that’s an extreme situation, and we all can name multiple larger retailers who have gone to that format as they work to cut costs in the supply chain. But what about customer service? What if I had needed help, advice, or to feel informed about the $400 worth of goods I was purchasing? Where has the focus on
High Quality Care, Faith-based & Superior Customer Service
Kathleen Deckard and I began the ideation phase of what would become Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital.
The core ingredients we discussed were high quality pet medicine, well above the standard in our industry, a faith-based focus in our business, which is what defines our family focus, and a level of customer service and client experience that was miles apart from what our clients had experienced at other retailers in our market area. Our expectation for our business was that if we lead with love, care, and compassion, and keep our total focus on the clients and their pets, people will come to us, and they would feel different because of our care for them. Our design began with a heartfelt attitude and focus on the ultimate customer service. As we defined what that would look like, we identified two clear points of difference that other businesses were not utilizing. First were the simple numbers of employees in our building and on our payroll to ensure our clients and their pets are getting the very best and complete level of attention possible. And second was that we lead with love, believe in showing love, and demonstrate love for every client we service. Now these are not popular characteristics in business. Even the savviest of business professionals would tell you that the profit and loss statement will not support this, and the public will not even recognize it for the value it holds. However, I can tell you that this is the foundation of our company, and it is clearly our level of commitment to our clients.
I’ve shared with many new employees and new clients that although I have hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment in our practice, it is our employees who are the most important to us. It takes our amazing employees to be able to provide the service and medical results that has made Pets R Family the high-quality pet facility that it is today after nine years in the Saint Johns community. We now have sixty-five employees and growing, as we have chosen a path to customer service that includes multiple contacts by our staff in multiple departments on each visit. It is never a surprise to our clients when they are greeted, communicated with, and spoken to by five to six employees during a single visit. And their pets, may see, be cared for, and provided with enrichment by far more of our staff during that same visit. It is our belief that the level of customer care is directly related to the number of kind and caring staff that interact with our clients and their pets.
The core ingredients we discussed were high quality pet medicine, well above the standard in our industry, a faith-based focus in our business, which is what defines our family focus, and a level of customer service and client experience that was miles apart from what our clients had experienced at other retailers in our market area. Our expectation for our business was that if we lead with love, care, and compassion, and keep our total focus on the clients and their pets, people will come to us, and they would feel different because of our care for them. Our design began with a heartfelt attitude and focus on the ultimate customer service. As we defined what that would look like, we identified two clear points of difference that other businesses were not utilizing. First were the simple numbers of employees in our building and on our payroll to ensure our clients and their pets are getting the very best and complete level of attention possible. And second was that we lead with love, believe in showing love, and demonstrate love for every client we service. Now these are not popular characteristics in business. Even the savviest of business professionals would tell you that the profit and loss statement will not support this, and the public will not even recognize it for the value it holds. However, I can tell you that this is the foundation of our company, and it is clearly our level of commitment to our clients.
I’ve shared with many new employees and new clients that although I have hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment in our practice, it is our employees who are the most important to us. It takes our amazing employees to be able to provide the service and medical results that has made Pets R Family the high-quality pet facility that it is today after nine years in the Saint Johns community. We now have sixty-five employees and growing, as we have chosen a path to customer service that includes multiple contacts by our staff in multiple departments on each visit. It is never a surprise to our clients when they are greeted, communicated with, and spoken to by five to six employees during a single visit. And their pets, may see, be cared for, and provided with enrichment by far more of our staff during that same visit. It is our belief that the level of customer care is directly related to the number of kind and caring staff that interact with our clients and their pets.
Experience Coupled
with Compassion
Our six doctors at Pets R Family are all leaders in their industry. Their cumulative years of experience in veterinary medicine is over 50, but their heart and passion for the phenomenal medicine they practice, along with the high level of compassionate care, is second to none! The amazing by-product of this consortium of doctors is that the client receives a collaborative effort on all pet cases. Dr. Deckard believes it takes a team to achieve this effort. The team is aligned and focused to offer the very best in pet medicine and to provide those results as a group who truly love and care about each pet and their owner. This multi-doctor approach is not widely utilized or practiced in our industry. In fact, in the era of corporate buy outs and large corporate giants emerging, we see veterinary practices with fewer employees, often only one or two doctors on staff at any given facility. As we all have experienced, fewer employees frequently equate to inadequate service.
In an ongoing effort to demonstrate a better way to care for people and their pets, we are bucking the trends! At Pets R Family we pride ourselves on focusing on our clients, ensuring high quality care for their pets, and having many more employees than my accountant believes we should! We believe in the care we offer and will always practice the highest level of medicine and service in our community and our industry. And you know what, our clients love us for it!
In an ongoing effort to demonstrate a better way to care for people and their pets, we are bucking the trends! At Pets R Family we pride ourselves on focusing on our clients, ensuring high quality care for their pets, and having many more employees than my accountant believes we should! We believe in the care we offer and will always practice the highest level of medicine and service in our community and our industry. And you know what, our clients love us for it!
Customers love the Rileys, a local family
whose customer service speaks for itself
You have probably seen people in your neighborhood enjoying an open-air ride, zipping down to the grocery store, picking up the kids from school, or going to the pool in their own golf cart. Today’s golf cart was designed for neighborhood use and has a plethora of cool custom features available. To top it off it won’t break the bank. As reviews from happy customers confirm, there is no better place to get yourself a golf cart in St. Johns than at Mad Bacon Golf Carts, the mom-and-pop company started by Kristy and Craig Riley and their family in 2017. But why do people love them so much and what has made their company thrive? Recently Kristy and Craig shared a few more details about Mad Bacon Golf Carts.
SJM: What are some ways people are using golf carts other than for golf?
Kristy & Craig: In recent years, especially in this area with so many designated “golf cart communities”, the possibilities are endless! Golf carts are the preferred way to travel to and from neighborhood pools, allowing people to keep wet, slimy children out of their shiny SUV’s. Avoid the dreaded school car line, saving people valuable time in their day. Instead of lining up 1 hour+ in advance, you can roll out of your driveway 10 minutes before school lets out and hang out with friends while you wait for your kids. At the end of the day, it’s nice to just cruise around the neighborhood, YETI in the cupholder, and just relax. Many families have even discovered they’ve been able to replace one of their cars with a golf cart!
SJM: What are some of the cool features of golf carts most people may not know about?
Kristy & Craig: We don’t sell your Grandpa’s golf carts. The carts we sell have features like blinkers, brake lights, backup cameras, coolers built into rear seats, booming sound bars, oh! and they are super fast! Cart envy is real! When we deliver new carts and neighbors realize they can get a new lithium cart with a warranty for just under $10K, they start to think about trading up!
SJM: How is Mad Bacon not your average golf cart company?
Kristy & Craig: Just like our unusual name, we are a bit unusual ourselves (side note, our kids are named Madeline, Baylor, and Connor AKA Mad Bay-Con). We probably got the same start as many other golf cart dealers, which was selling used and custom carts out of our garage. That’s pretty much where the similarities stop. The very consistent feedback we get from customers is that we are not at all pushy and we make the buying process extremely easy. People come to us as customers and leave as friends!
Kristy & Craig: In recent years, especially in this area with so many designated “golf cart communities”, the possibilities are endless! Golf carts are the preferred way to travel to and from neighborhood pools, allowing people to keep wet, slimy children out of their shiny SUV’s. Avoid the dreaded school car line, saving people valuable time in their day. Instead of lining up 1 hour+ in advance, you can roll out of your driveway 10 minutes before school lets out and hang out with friends while you wait for your kids. At the end of the day, it’s nice to just cruise around the neighborhood, YETI in the cupholder, and just relax. Many families have even discovered they’ve been able to replace one of their cars with a golf cart!
SJM: What are some of the cool features of golf carts most people may not know about?
Kristy & Craig: We don’t sell your Grandpa’s golf carts. The carts we sell have features like blinkers, brake lights, backup cameras, coolers built into rear seats, booming sound bars, oh! and they are super fast! Cart envy is real! When we deliver new carts and neighbors realize they can get a new lithium cart with a warranty for just under $10K, they start to think about trading up!
SJM: How is Mad Bacon not your average golf cart company?
Kristy & Craig: Just like our unusual name, we are a bit unusual ourselves (side note, our kids are named Madeline, Baylor, and Connor AKA Mad Bay-Con). We probably got the same start as many other golf cart dealers, which was selling used and custom carts out of our garage. That’s pretty much where the similarities stop. The very consistent feedback we get from customers is that we are not at all pushy and we make the buying process extremely easy. People come to us as customers and leave as friends!
The owners of MadBacon are fantastic! They were super responsive and helpful. The buying process was super easy and they delivered the cart same day. I highly recommend this local business for your carting needs. Best value I found in town with the Royal EV brand. Cheers! -Scott H.
SJM: What is it about Mad Bacon that shouts high-quality customer service?
Kristy & Craig: One element people love is that we offer mobile service and repair. Other dealers will come pick your cart up and bring it back to their shop and leave you stranded for days (or weeks) on end. We can usually get you scheduled within 24 hours and our mobile mechanic, Joe, will take care of most any repair, right there in your driveway! Also very popular with customers is that we typically can do same day delivery. If you stop in on a Saturday you will be greeted by Matt or Carter who are fan favorites at Mad Bacon!
SJM: How does Mad Bacon Golf Carts maintain a strong community presence and support northern St. Johns?
Kristy & Craig: We have done sponsorships for various groups at the two schools our kids attend, Liberty Pines Academy and Beachside High School. You can also frequently find us at many of the local neighborhood vendor fairs. In 2024 we are excited to start doing customer appreciation days!
On a personal level our family is very connected to the community. Our boys play basketball, baseball and football so we are at various fields/gyms most every night of the week hanging out with our neighbors in St. Johns. Our daughter practically lives at Bailey’s gym so that’s where she can typically be found!
Great experience from beginning to delivery. Quick response to all questions before arriving in store. They even offered to extend their normal hours to accommodate. Base models equipped very nicely and best price in the area. Friendly family business, no pushy sales. Cart delivered to my house less than an hour after I left the store. They even included very nice reusable insulated cups and shirts for my wife and I. Highly recommend!!! -Kevin B.
SJM: Tell us about your dog Crue’s polka dots.
Kristy & Craig: Oh gosh, crazy Crue. So for Halloween, we thought it would be fun to dress him up as a...I don’t even know what. Tiger, maybe? I used pet-safe dye to give him some brown spots for his costume. I tried to do the same with Motley but he wasn’t having it so I only got as far as giving him black stripes on his face (we put him in a football jersey so he was a football player). Then when it was getting close to Christmas I added red dye to Crue’s existing spots and now I suppose he’s a Valentine’s pup lol. We will have to get him groomed to get rid of the spots so we’re just waiting for the weather to warm up a bit first!
Key West-born Kristy and transplanted New Yorker Craig love living in northern St. Johns and owning a business in this vibrant community. The family plans to open an additional location in the next twelve to eighteen months to keep more in-stock inventory for customers. Mad Bacon Golf Carts is located just west of I-95 on County Road 210 next to Starbucks.
I live in a golf cart community and I see what other families show up in, and knowing what they paid versus how our carts compare, I just laugh. Do yourself a favor when buying a cart here in Jax. Don’t be like everyone else paying 20k for a 12k cart. Mad Bacon is where it’s at. -Jason R.
Dr. Kathleen Deckard DVM, is a tenured Veterinarian of 24 years in practice. She has built her career on a foundation of high quality pet medicine, with a special focus on patient care and owner education. Her practice, Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital is designed and operated with these key areas of focus in mind. But it doesn’t stop there. The “Added Value” efforts of Dr. Deckard are pathway drivers in our industry, as she endeavors to influence and propagate the same quality medical focus in the lives of others aspiring to be in our industry, as she provides for her patients.
In 2014, Dr. Deckard began to lay the plans for a new state of the art medical practice to be built just a few miles from her home here in Saint Johns County. Dr. Deckard’s dream was that this new facility would be second to none in focus on the total client experience and quality pet medicine. The design was created with pets’ and owners comfort in mind. Her practice focuses on small animals and exotics. There are two lobbies, one for the Hospital medically focused clients, and one with a focus on the services offered such as boarding, grooming, Pups N Play daycare, and spa bathing. The Hospital features a spacious lobby, offering a canine and a feline waiting area with ample seating for up to 20 clients and their pets.
The 7 exam rooms feature 2 large dog rooms with lift tables and extra space, and a feline only exam room, which is part of the Gold Standard Feline Certification awarded Pets R Family by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
The hospital lobby is accompanied by a large half round customer service desk, and a separate “Pharmacy Pick Up” desk, offering our 4 person customer service team the ability to meet, greet and assist clients and their wonderful pets.Meanwhile on the Boarding side, an additional lobby with three customer service team members are greeting and caring for the service focused pets coming to our facility.
As the design moves to the Hospital Treatment area, the twenty-five person hospital technician team is organized by position. The pharmacy is staffed by 2 full time pharmacy technicians, the lab is managed by a lead lab technician, while each DVM has assigned to them two room technicians for the day, to meet with all clients and manage all treatments. PRF has dedicated drop off technicians focused on those pets left with the practice for the day, who need treatments and work ups.
As the design moves to the Hospital Treatment area, the twenty-five person hospital technician team is organized by position. The pharmacy is staffed by 2 full time pharmacy technicians, the lab is managed by a lead lab technician, while each DVM has assigned to them two room technicians for the day, to meet with all clients and manage all treatments. PRF has dedicated drop off technicians focused on those pets left with the practice for the day, who need treatments and work ups.
Our Hospital technicians manage as “traffic controllers” for all details coming and going through the hospital, including all medical pre and post surgery, as well as medical boarders. Dr. Deckard’s two, on-duty, hospital managers are focused on all client contacts, surgery focused details and DVM and hospital team needs. There is a dedicated surgery team of technicians, who are focussed specifically on our two surgical suites, and the CT Scan room to allow our daily surgery DVM to remain with a dedicated team for all surgeries, dentals, CT Scans, Fluoroscopy scans, ultrasounds, and other surgery focused procedures. This Hospital positional design is unique to Pets R Family, and is one with proven results, as designed by Dr. Deckard.
When setting a plan for her DVM Team, Dr. Deckard wanted to ensure two key elements. First, she wanted to have a team in place to focus on patient care, while being very involved in client education. Secondly, she wanted to allow a congruent level of DVM care, that allowed clients to have limited need for “my favorite Doctor”, as they are supplied with the same high level of medical care across the team. Dr. Deckard works diligently to keep all of her Team up to date and on the same page when it comes to all medical protocols, products to be used, most effective drugs and treatments, and client and patient care techniques. Our medical DVM leaders at PRF are constantly on the leading edge of the most up to date medical treatments, drugs and procedures available in the industry.
The amazing passion of Dr. Kathleen Deckard is not only for high quality pet medicine and the client experience. She also recognizes the real need for her industry that is in a very high DVM attrition rate, with a huge influx of new pet owners. Dr. Deckard has always had a strong desire to share with others the opportunity that this industry brings in career. She has designed a program specific to Pets R Family called “Vets N Training”. This program is for young students, ages 6-12, who have a desire to see what it is like to work in the Veterinary Industry. The classes take place every Tuesday after school at the PRF practice. Classes vary from “Bandaging and First Aid” to “Parasites and Vaccines”, but all curriculum is written and designed by Dr. Deckard and her daughter, Abigail Deckard. The goal of this teaching of young students is to grow the desire and understanding of the industry for application in studies and focus as the students move toward High School and College course structure. To date, Vets N Training has taught and guided hundreds of students through the program.
The school system in Saint Johns County is known for it’s leading edge “Academy” focus at the High School level. In addition to many other professional focused academies, the newest academy to have opened just a few years ago, is the Academy of Veterinary Medicine at Beachside High School, which is the only Veterinary focused Academy in the country. Dr. Deckard was instrumental in lobbying for this Academy to begin while still in the ideation stages. She now serves on the academy’s Board of Directors as a voting member and supporting curriculum professional. In addition, Dr. Deckard has hired several of the Academies students to begin their industry work at Pets R Family, and has approved many other interning students who are beginning their hands on experience in the industry where they hope to dedicate their careers. Certainly training, guiding and directing this age group will be a catalyst to feeding undergrad and postgrad focus in the veterinary field of study.
Dr. Deckard recognized that there are many outside the veterinary industry who have the desire, drive and passion to work in it, but have never had the opportunity to submerse themselves into a veterinary practice setting. Our military branches are full of individuals who have served their country for a number of years, and are then preparing to leave that career and move into civilian life. Dr. Deckard was instrumental in approving and managing the ramp up of the “SkillBridge” program with the United States Military, at our practice. Pets R Family is the first and currently the only Veterinary Practice approved by all branches of the Military to administer training to personnel preparing to retire from their military service and enter a professional position in the field of veterinary medicine. Pets R Family was approved by the US Military branches in 2022, and has 4 current military members actively being trained at the PRF Practice, with 4 prior graduates completing the approved training program. Each candidate receives an interview at the conclusion of their training to potentially be hired to become a full-time employee at Pets R Family as their first position in the industry. Dr. Deckard is involved day to day with the training protocols, scheduling and ongoing medical input for these candidates.She has stated that these are some of the most passionate, determined and results driven people she has ever had the opportunity to work alongside.
Dr. Deckard has not only had an amazing impact on her local community with her passionate focus on quality pet medicine and client care, but she has also continued to focus on the future of the veterinary industry. Her desire to see professionals trained and prepared for a career in the field she has loved for over 24 years, has led her to design pathways for entry, and impact those with interest. Dr. Kathleen Deckard is an innovator in an industry built on new ideas, with a fresh outlook on bringing dedicated professionals to it.
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Daniel serves as an invaluable resource to an average 5,000 children and families each year.
The 139-year-old nonprofit was a life-changing resource for Victoria, who initially dropped out of high school after leaving an unhealthy home environment.
Yet Victoria was determined to change her life – paying rent at her friend’s house and starting school again. She was poised to graduate on time, but worried about what to do when school ended.
Fortunately, her social worker introduced her to Project Prepare, Daniel’s nationally recognized independent living program. She secured a safe, low-cost place to stay in the agency’s Independent Living Village and learned independent living and job preparatory skills.
“Project Prepare was a lifesaver for me,” said Victoria, who is now a successful realtor, wife, and mother of three. “The staff there instilled a lot of great qualities in me that I still use to this day.”
This program is one of many Daniel provides to help improve the odds for local children and families. The nonprofit is Florida’s oldest child-service agency, assisting an average of 5,000 children and families annually.
Daniel’s professional team connects hundreds of children with foster and adoptive homes each year. The agency is also a leader in child abuse prevention, strengthening at-risk families and safely reunifying families who’ve experienced previous challenges.
Yet Daniel is perhaps best known for its truly unique residential treatment center on Belfort Road where youth with the most serious emotional and behavioral issues live short term. Daniel’s team provides intensive individual, group/family therapy, psychiatric and behavioral care, as well as academic and recreational services, to help children and teens find new ways to thrive by overcoming traumas they’ve experienced.
“When it comes to local children in crisis on any level, Daniel has always been there,” said Lesley Wells, Daniel’s CEO and president. “And, with the continued help of generous donors and partners, we’ll be able to continue this vital support well into the future.”
For more information about how you can help the children and families Daniel serves through donations or corporate sponsorships, please visit danielkids.org or call 904-296-1055 ext 1033.
The 139-year-old nonprofit was a life-changing resource for Victoria, who initially dropped out of high school after leaving an unhealthy home environment.
Yet Victoria was determined to change her life – paying rent at her friend’s house and starting school again. She was poised to graduate on time, but worried about what to do when school ended.
Fortunately, her social worker introduced her to Project Prepare, Daniel’s nationally recognized independent living program. She secured a safe, low-cost place to stay in the agency’s Independent Living Village and learned independent living and job preparatory skills.
“Project Prepare was a lifesaver for me,” said Victoria, who is now a successful realtor, wife, and mother of three. “The staff there instilled a lot of great qualities in me that I still use to this day.”
This program is one of many Daniel provides to help improve the odds for local children and families. The nonprofit is Florida’s oldest child-service agency, assisting an average of 5,000 children and families annually.
Daniel’s professional team connects hundreds of children with foster and adoptive homes each year. The agency is also a leader in child abuse prevention, strengthening at-risk families and safely reunifying families who’ve experienced previous challenges.
Yet Daniel is perhaps best known for its truly unique residential treatment center on Belfort Road where youth with the most serious emotional and behavioral issues live short term. Daniel’s team provides intensive individual, group/family therapy, psychiatric and behavioral care, as well as academic and recreational services, to help children and teens find new ways to thrive by overcoming traumas they’ve experienced.
“When it comes to local children in crisis on any level, Daniel has always been there,” said Lesley Wells, Daniel’s CEO and president. “And, with the continued help of generous donors and partners, we’ll be able to continue this vital support well into the future.”
For more information about how you can help the children and families Daniel serves through donations or corporate sponsorships, please visit danielkids.org or call 904-296-1055 ext 1033.
Your Pets Wellness on Wheels!
The idea for HelloVet, a high quality mobile veterinary service, first came to Dr. Erika Pitkat and her husband Frank during the pandemic. She explains how during that time they recognized people were concerned about dropping their pets off without their owners at brick and mortar veterinary hospitals. HelloVet opened in July of 2021 offering a solution: an at-home veterinary experience to relieve pet owners’ fears and create less stress for the animals themselves.
But even post-pandemic, the fact remains that many cats and dogs get panicked by riding in the car or visiting the vet at the office, and owners are thrilled by the idea that they can have HelloVet come to them. Busy parents with children, disabled and elderly people also benefit from the convenience of having their pets cared for at home.
“Overall, people have been both receptive and appreciative to have less stressful vet visits in the comfort of their own home,” says Dr. Pitkat.
What Services
Are Offered?
The HelloVet mobile clinic is a state-of-the-art exam space where dogs and cats are treated by a professional staff and Veterinarian without ever having to leave home. With a hybrid approach, dogs and cats can also be seen inside the home if a visit to the mobile clinic is too stressful. This is especially beneficial to our feline friends.
HelloVet offers a wide range of in-home services including wellness and sick exams, vaccinations, laboratory testing, allergy testing, microchipping, dermatology, nutrition, and pharmacy delivery services as well as superior hospice and end-of-life care. They also offer specialty services such as Cold Laser Therapy, which assists with wound healing, osteoarthritis, spinal injuries, and skin infections. Tele-health visits are also available after a veterinary-client-patient relationship has been established. Multi-pet appointments are also available. The goal is to accommodate each client’s needs with top-notch care for their furry companions.
If your pet needs emergency services, advanced surgeries, dental cleanings or hospitalization, HelloVet has partnered with Pet Urgent Response And Emergency, Elite Veterinary Surgery of Florida and San Jose Beauclerc Animal Hospital. The process is fully integrated and guided by HelloVet’s staff so that patients may receive the care they need when they need it. HelloVet also partners with a certified dog trainer, pet sitting services, and an in home groomer.
But even post-pandemic, the fact remains that many cats and dogs get panicked by riding in the car or visiting the vet at the office, and owners are thrilled by the idea that they can have HelloVet come to them. Busy parents with children, disabled and elderly people also benefit from the convenience of having their pets cared for at home.
“Overall, people have been both receptive and appreciative to have less stressful vet visits in the comfort of their own home,” says Dr. Pitkat.
What Services
Are Offered?
The HelloVet mobile clinic is a state-of-the-art exam space where dogs and cats are treated by a professional staff and Veterinarian without ever having to leave home. With a hybrid approach, dogs and cats can also be seen inside the home if a visit to the mobile clinic is too stressful. This is especially beneficial to our feline friends.
HelloVet offers a wide range of in-home services including wellness and sick exams, vaccinations, laboratory testing, allergy testing, microchipping, dermatology, nutrition, and pharmacy delivery services as well as superior hospice and end-of-life care. They also offer specialty services such as Cold Laser Therapy, which assists with wound healing, osteoarthritis, spinal injuries, and skin infections. Tele-health visits are also available after a veterinary-client-patient relationship has been established. Multi-pet appointments are also available. The goal is to accommodate each client’s needs with top-notch care for their furry companions.
If your pet needs emergency services, advanced surgeries, dental cleanings or hospitalization, HelloVet has partnered with Pet Urgent Response And Emergency, Elite Veterinary Surgery of Florida and San Jose Beauclerc Animal Hospital. The process is fully integrated and guided by HelloVet’s staff so that patients may receive the care they need when they need it. HelloVet also partners with a certified dog trainer, pet sitting services, and an in home groomer.
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What Happens At
An Appointment?
First, clients may call or go online at www.hellovetjax.com and complete their registration. The process is remote but personalized. “We are not corporate and proud of it!” says Dr. Pitkat. The receptionist then contacts the owner via email, phone or text to determine what type of appointment is needed, and in what area of Jacksonville / St Johns County the client resides. The appointment is scheduled based on availability of both the owner and area of town HelloVet is operating.
For the actual visit, Dr. Pitkat says they are flexible. When the mobile clinic arrives, the client has the choice to either bring their pet out to the van, or Dr. Pitkat and her team will go into the home with all diagnostic equipment. Dr. Pitkat says the focus is always to make the pet more comfortable during what could be a stressful experience. In every instance, their dedicated and compassionate staff is always ready to serve the client.
Based on feedback from happy clients, HelloVet Pet Care At Home has already made a difference in countless pets' lives and their owners' lives. Dr. Pitkat says she loves to see the joy on their faces when they arrive at a client’s home to provide quality veterinary care without the usual stresses of transport, time, and energy.
HelloVet hopes to grow in the future with a few more vans on the road in the next few years, as well as a separate specialty van for technician services such as vaccine administration, injections for allergies etc, fluid administration , nail trimming and basic grooming.
An Appointment?
First, clients may call or go online at www.hellovetjax.com and complete their registration. The process is remote but personalized. “We are not corporate and proud of it!” says Dr. Pitkat. The receptionist then contacts the owner via email, phone or text to determine what type of appointment is needed, and in what area of Jacksonville / St Johns County the client resides. The appointment is scheduled based on availability of both the owner and area of town HelloVet is operating.
For the actual visit, Dr. Pitkat says they are flexible. When the mobile clinic arrives, the client has the choice to either bring their pet out to the van, or Dr. Pitkat and her team will go into the home with all diagnostic equipment. Dr. Pitkat says the focus is always to make the pet more comfortable during what could be a stressful experience. In every instance, their dedicated and compassionate staff is always ready to serve the client.
Based on feedback from happy clients, HelloVet Pet Care At Home has already made a difference in countless pets' lives and their owners' lives. Dr. Pitkat says she loves to see the joy on their faces when they arrive at a client’s home to provide quality veterinary care without the usual stresses of transport, time, and energy.
HelloVet hopes to grow in the future with a few more vans on the road in the next few years, as well as a separate specialty van for technician services such as vaccine administration, injections for allergies etc, fluid administration , nail trimming and basic grooming.
| Fun Facts About Dr. Pitkat Dr. Erika Pitkat is a proud native of Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinarian Medicine in 2004. She practiced small animal medicine in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia Beach before returning to her home state in 2012. Approximately half of her career was spent exclusively working with cats, which hold a very special place in her heart. Dr. Pitkat strives to create a stress-free visit for every patient, treating each pet as if it were her own. She is comfortable with routine wellness care, internal medicine and advanced diagnostics, dental prophylaxis and oral surgery, and end of life care. A St. Johns resident for 11 years, Dr. Pitkat enjoys spending time with her husband, Frank, and their four children at home. Her five cats and dog have trained her to do their bidding. The family enjoys traveling in their Airstream any opportunity they can get. Dr. Pitkat is thrilled to service St. Johns and Jacksonville residents in their homes with HelloVet! |  |
Buy Local, Invest Local:
Saint Johns Family Businesses!
by Brad Deckard, Owner, Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital
Owning and operating a family-owned business is still a wonderful dream in America. Did you know that 90% of businesses in the United States are family owned and operated. That means that over 5.5M family-owned businesses exist today in the US and employee 60% of our countries workforce. Those statistics have a very dynamic financial and employment impact on our nation. Family-owned companies are the life blood of our country and the pride and quality of our communities.
We all have our favorite pizza place, our favorite hairdresser, our favorite dentist and veterinarian in the areas in which we live. But have you ever stopped and thought about the number of local, family-owned businesses that are in our area that make up the texture of our community? These places are the fabric of what makes us proud to live in the Saint Johns area. Certainly we all have our corporate chains that offer something to our palate of family needs. But it’s the family owned and operated companies that make us special, and bonded together. There’s a special feeling we all get when we realize the owners are neighbors, or remember when their retail store began. In a country with a free market system, we get excited to “Buy Local” as we support those around us that have a real point of difference in the quality and type of products they sell. And when exhibiting American Pride, is there any better way than to support those who have dedicated, worked and sacrificed to provide a good or service to the community in which they live.
Our family moved onto CR 210 twenty-five years ago. At that time there was little more than rows of pine trees on both sides of the two-lane road. We had to drive to the truck stops near I-95 to get a gallon of milk, and over 10 miles to the nearest grocery or drug store. Certainly many things have changed over that time, including the lanes of traffic. One of the most impactful, exciting and alluring changes has been the growth of family-owned businesses. So many of our neighbors and friends have taken the risk and the dedication to bring CR 210 a cornucopia of offerings to meet the needs of the amazing influx of people moving to this area. And whether you are looking for retail goods or service needs, you can find a business here that is locally owned and operated.
As a family that has chosen this path, we can tell you first-hand that our decision to start a local company first came from the love of our community. We declared this wonderful place home when there was virtually nothing here. And as it grew, our excitement for variety and community grew with it. We’ve seen the growth of our neighborhoods and schools, church’s and ballfields. We’ve experienced the exciting addition of grocery stores and doctors offices, and enjoyed the variety of dining experiences we now have. And as part of that community of business’s, we longed to invest in our community and provide needed services to those who call it home. And for us, as with many, it was a desire to raise a family, and invest in the area we live.
We all have our favorite pizza place, our favorite hairdresser, our favorite dentist and veterinarian in the areas in which we live. But have you ever stopped and thought about the number of local, family-owned businesses that are in our area that make up the texture of our community? These places are the fabric of what makes us proud to live in the Saint Johns area. Certainly we all have our corporate chains that offer something to our palate of family needs. But it’s the family owned and operated companies that make us special, and bonded together. There’s a special feeling we all get when we realize the owners are neighbors, or remember when their retail store began. In a country with a free market system, we get excited to “Buy Local” as we support those around us that have a real point of difference in the quality and type of products they sell. And when exhibiting American Pride, is there any better way than to support those who have dedicated, worked and sacrificed to provide a good or service to the community in which they live.
Our family moved onto CR 210 twenty-five years ago. At that time there was little more than rows of pine trees on both sides of the two-lane road. We had to drive to the truck stops near I-95 to get a gallon of milk, and over 10 miles to the nearest grocery or drug store. Certainly many things have changed over that time, including the lanes of traffic. One of the most impactful, exciting and alluring changes has been the growth of family-owned businesses. So many of our neighbors and friends have taken the risk and the dedication to bring CR 210 a cornucopia of offerings to meet the needs of the amazing influx of people moving to this area. And whether you are looking for retail goods or service needs, you can find a business here that is locally owned and operated.
As a family that has chosen this path, we can tell you first-hand that our decision to start a local company first came from the love of our community. We declared this wonderful place home when there was virtually nothing here. And as it grew, our excitement for variety and community grew with it. We’ve seen the growth of our neighborhoods and schools, church’s and ballfields. We’ve experienced the exciting addition of grocery stores and doctors offices, and enjoyed the variety of dining experiences we now have. And as part of that community of business’s, we longed to invest in our community and provide needed services to those who call it home. And for us, as with many, it was a desire to raise a family, and invest in the area we live.
 "What an amazing honor to care and support those you call friends and family with a business you operate from your heart." |  |
This is how many small businesses begin. It’s a dream to be part of something bigger than yourself, and to serve those around you. And with it comes a long-term dedication to quality as you provide for the clients that are your neighbors. What a joy to work and live in the area where your children go to school, and where your family is involved in church activities. What an amazing honor to care and support those you call friends and family with a business you operate from your heart.
The truly amazing result from our locally owned businesses, is without a doubt, the quality and dedication our community receives. As a local business owner, I can attest to the fact that there is no better quality control agent, than to be serving someone you know and love. The level of heartfelt effort is truly endless, and nothing is more satisfying than to serve them well. In direct relation to that effort, is the level of joy that caring for a local client brings those of us who are part of this community. The satisfaction of accomplishment in knowing that you provided a truly positive outcome for a person you live near is second to none.
The level of personal and financial sacrifice to be a local business owner is absolutely a challenge to us all. There’s not a small or large family business that hasn’t felt the impact of time and money in starting a business and then keeping it going successfully. It’s a deep and heartfelt dedication to the companies business plan and the impact on the community. But it’s a labor of love, and a focus on the great things the business can provide those it serves. I can share that our family has absolutely felt the influence of many dedicated hours in the office that can stretch our few hours at home together very thin. But the rewards of our families involvement in a dedicated effort to serve our community, is a family bonding experience with lasting impact on us. I’m not sure there’s a better way to raise children than in a family-owned company, dedicated to serving.
So what’s the bid deal? Why focus on “locally and family owned?” First of all, these are the people of your community that are sacrificing to serve your community. They have taken the risk to provide the goods and services your community needs and wants. So support them! Take a chance on them as they took for you. Second, these business owners are most likely, supporting a level of quality that you may not find in a large corporation or entity that is so much larger than a community business. And thirdly, these businesses are the independent texture of who we are in the Saint Johns area. Is there a better way to differentiate ourselves as a community, than through the quality, customer caring businesses we propagate?
Buy local and invest in local. Our Saint Johns Family businesses and our community thank you!
Brad and Dr. Kathleen Deckard with their children Abigail and Gavin Deckard, are the owners of Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital on CR 210 since 2015.
Pets R Family ││• 3035 County Road 210 West • ││904-452-7387
www.PetsRFamilyVet.com
www.PetsRFamilyVet.com
Selling & Living the Dream of the Florida Lifestyle
Golf carts have become a part of the dream of the Florida lifestyle as more and more people in St. Johns are using them to visit friends, go to the pool, or just take a ride through one of the many beautiful neighborhoods. Cruising the neighborhood is a fun experience for the whole family.
Locals Kristy and Craig Riley are experts at making that dream accessible. The couple, who live with their family in St. Johns Golf & Country Club are the founders and co-owners of Mad Bacon Golf Carts where they help people purchase a golf cart, deliver it to them, and provide at-home repair services.
Locals Kristy and Craig Riley are experts at making that dream accessible. The couple, who live with their family in St. Johns Golf & Country Club are the founders and co-owners of Mad Bacon Golf Carts where they help people purchase a golf cart, deliver it to them, and provide at-home repair services.
Kristy and Craig have always had a simple goal in mind. “To spread happiness on four wheels by offering the joy of the golf cart experience.” As Kristy says, “It is such a fun way to get around!”
In the beginning, back in 2017, Kristy and Craig started selling refurbished golf carts out of their garage. They were talented and they understood how to build relationships with their customers and the business grew. Then, in 2022, the self-described ‘serial entrepreneurs’ jumped at the chance to expand even more. When a retail location became available less than five minutes from their house, they opened a full showroom. Conveniently located less than 1/4 mile west of I-95 on County Road 210, they are located right next to Starbucks.
Both Kristy and Craig are not new at owning a business, having run several successful businesses over the last 20+ years, everything from private label sales on Amazon to a camper rental business to landscaping and of course, selling golf carts.
“One common element in every business we've run is stellar customer service. At the end of the day, the customer is who we report to and we have a solid track record of positive customer experiences.”
At the St. Johns showroom customers can test out Royal EV golf carts. As one of the best golf carts on the market, Royal Electric Vehicles come standard with many upgraded features such as lithium batteries, plush seats, custom rims and tires, extended roofs, headlights, tail lights, turn signals, top speeds of 30mph, and more.
Signature customer service combined with an ideal price point, same-day delivery, and onsite mobile repair in your own driveway, offers a seamless, five-star experience that customers value and rave about.
At the end of the day, the customer is who we report to and we have a solid track record of positive customer experiences. |  |
For Kristy and Craig, Mad Bacon Golf Carts is a family affair, a local mom-and-pop type of golf cart dealership, and their whole family is involved in the business. “If we're not at the shop, you can find us at a ball field most any night of the week! Our kids are very active in multiple sports and play alongside the kids in the St Johns community,” said Craig.
Have you ever wondered where they got their funny name? As Kristy and Craig explain it, when they tell people Mad Bacon is named after their kids, there is usually a pause. “Our kids are named Madeline, Baylor, and Connor AKA Mad Bay-Con,” and then there's an aha! moment. “People love it and it's a name they will always remember. This means we have to be on our A game at all times because if we screw up people will also not forget, haha!” And if you were wondering about those cute dogs in the pictures, they also got cute names. They go by "Motley" and "Crue,” a nod to Craig’s high school days when he looked like a member of a hair band.
Kristy and Craig agree that the best part of their job is doing deliveries. “It is typically a whole event for the customer, the neighbors all come outside and everyone gets excited waiting for our truck to show up! Cart envy is definitely a thing, and frequently neighbors start thinking about trading up when they realize they can get a brand new cart with a 3-year warranty and lithium batteries with prices starting at just under $10K."
Mad Bacon is a one-of-a-kind local business that truly sets itself apart with an amazing product, stellar customer service, and the family-owned vibe that characterizes everything they do. A fun fact about Craig is that he was so popular in high school he had an actual fan club. Meanwhile, Kristy in high school was a band nerd who actually went to band camp! Their popularity disparity has since evened out a bit.
To learn more about Mad Bacon Golf Carts visit the showroom at 1745 County Road 210, St. Johns; or go to www.madbacongolfcarts.com
Have you ever wondered where they got their funny name? As Kristy and Craig explain it, when they tell people Mad Bacon is named after their kids, there is usually a pause. “Our kids are named Madeline, Baylor, and Connor AKA Mad Bay-Con,” and then there's an aha! moment. “People love it and it's a name they will always remember. This means we have to be on our A game at all times because if we screw up people will also not forget, haha!” And if you were wondering about those cute dogs in the pictures, they also got cute names. They go by "Motley" and "Crue,” a nod to Craig’s high school days when he looked like a member of a hair band.
Kristy and Craig agree that the best part of their job is doing deliveries. “It is typically a whole event for the customer, the neighbors all come outside and everyone gets excited waiting for our truck to show up! Cart envy is definitely a thing, and frequently neighbors start thinking about trading up when they realize they can get a brand new cart with a 3-year warranty and lithium batteries with prices starting at just under $10K."
Mad Bacon is a one-of-a-kind local business that truly sets itself apart with an amazing product, stellar customer service, and the family-owned vibe that characterizes everything they do. A fun fact about Craig is that he was so popular in high school he had an actual fan club. Meanwhile, Kristy in high school was a band nerd who actually went to band camp! Their popularity disparity has since evened out a bit.
To learn more about Mad Bacon Golf Carts visit the showroom at 1745 County Road 210, St. Johns; or go to www.madbacongolfcarts.com
A Mother & Daughter Team Helping People Organize their Lives
It is often said that your home is your sanctuary. In this busy world, an organized home creates a sense of peace, relieves stress, and increases the time you have to spend on endeavors that bring you joy. One of the best ways to accomplish home organization is with a custom-designed closet system that utilizes the space you have to your advantage. That is where the Closet Factory comes in. This month, St. Johns Magazine had the opportunity to ask owner Jill Flores more about this creative and life-enhancing local business.
Mother and daughter team Jill and Sierra Flores opened The Closet Factory Jax one year ago and since then they have never looked back. It was the perfect fit for Jill and Sierra whose deep connection to the community combined with their background in sales, property management, and real estate gave them the desire to put their creativity to work to help people organize their lives. Jill says she loves owning a business and has a great sense of accomplishment in the fact that it is a woman-owned enterprise.
Jill and Sierra specialize in custom-designed storage solutions for homeowners in northern St. Johns, pairing organization with beauty and functionality. Projects include custom closet systems, pantries, home offices, entertainment centers, wall beds, garage organization, and wine rooms using a wide range of materials to fit any budget from basic white melamine to fully stained hardwood. The possibilities are endless says Jill. "Closet Factory has a diversified line of products that allows us to help all of our clients with their organizational needs, no matter how large or small the project is."
What sets The Closet Factory apart is superior customer service. When you contact Jill and Sierra, you will connect with a locally owned business. The first step is meeting with an experienced designer in your home who listens to your needs and, with your input, creates a functional and great-looking system that complements your home décor. For those who are uncertain about where to begin, they bring Idea Books filled with past projects they have designed and installed.
Jill and Sierra are excited every time they meet with a new client to hear their ideas and help them formulate a plan. “I love helping our clients to organize their life. This really helps them to spend time in other areas of their lives, without worrying about the need to spend their valuable time on organization,” Jill said.
Jill makes it a priority to continually increase her value to clients by learning about the latest design trends and new technology in closet systems with the goal of helping clients make the perfect unique design for their homes. She has learned that since people are more often staying at home, working from home, and entertaining at home there is a desire to not only beautify, but also organize their space. On trend right now are the use of vibrant colors; the addition of lighting; accessories that further increase organization; and using closets as multi-purpose spaces with things like pull-out ironing boards, dressing tables, and more. Home office design and entertainment spaces are popular trends as well.
For those hoping to bring organization, functionality, and beauty into www.closetfactory.com/locations/jacksonvilleyour home as a way to transform not only the space but your entire life, The Closet Factory is your ideal solution.
For more information please visit www.closetfactory.com/locations/jacksonville or call 1-800-838-7995. Located at 2628 Port Industrial Drive Jacksonville FL 32226,
Mother and daughter team Jill and Sierra Flores opened The Closet Factory Jax one year ago and since then they have never looked back. It was the perfect fit for Jill and Sierra whose deep connection to the community combined with their background in sales, property management, and real estate gave them the desire to put their creativity to work to help people organize their lives. Jill says she loves owning a business and has a great sense of accomplishment in the fact that it is a woman-owned enterprise.
Jill and Sierra specialize in custom-designed storage solutions for homeowners in northern St. Johns, pairing organization with beauty and functionality. Projects include custom closet systems, pantries, home offices, entertainment centers, wall beds, garage organization, and wine rooms using a wide range of materials to fit any budget from basic white melamine to fully stained hardwood. The possibilities are endless says Jill. "Closet Factory has a diversified line of products that allows us to help all of our clients with their organizational needs, no matter how large or small the project is."
What sets The Closet Factory apart is superior customer service. When you contact Jill and Sierra, you will connect with a locally owned business. The first step is meeting with an experienced designer in your home who listens to your needs and, with your input, creates a functional and great-looking system that complements your home décor. For those who are uncertain about where to begin, they bring Idea Books filled with past projects they have designed and installed.
Jill and Sierra are excited every time they meet with a new client to hear their ideas and help them formulate a plan. “I love helping our clients to organize their life. This really helps them to spend time in other areas of their lives, without worrying about the need to spend their valuable time on organization,” Jill said.
Jill makes it a priority to continually increase her value to clients by learning about the latest design trends and new technology in closet systems with the goal of helping clients make the perfect unique design for their homes. She has learned that since people are more often staying at home, working from home, and entertaining at home there is a desire to not only beautify, but also organize their space. On trend right now are the use of vibrant colors; the addition of lighting; accessories that further increase organization; and using closets as multi-purpose spaces with things like pull-out ironing boards, dressing tables, and more. Home office design and entertainment spaces are popular trends as well.
For those hoping to bring organization, functionality, and beauty into www.closetfactory.com/locations/jacksonvilleyour home as a way to transform not only the space but your entire life, The Closet Factory is your ideal solution.
For more information please visit www.closetfactory.com/locations/jacksonville or call 1-800-838-7995. Located at 2628 Port Industrial Drive Jacksonville FL 32226,
Choosing a True Artist is an Important Decision in the Field of Permanent Makeup
Nouveau Image Permanent Makeup
For more information and examples of Terri's work
visit nouveaupc.com or check them out on Facebook
For more information and examples of Terri's work
visit nouveaupc.com or check them out on Facebook
Terri Rampone, owner of Nouveau Image Permanent Cosmetics LLC, is an expert at micro pigmentation also known as cosmetic tattooing, permanent makeup and microblading. Her unique story about how she decided to go into the field is a true inspiration.
Terri has always been an artist from early childhood. From as far back as she can remember, she enjoyed playing with color and many types of mediums and later in life she became the talented artist she is today. (Her work was even featured in St. Johns Magazine’s Art issue). At the age of fifty, she was drawn to the field of permanent makeup after life threw her a curveball, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her mastectomy surgery, Terri discovered she was unable to receive a nipple reconstruction but was a candidate for a 3D areola tattoo.
“After all the surgeries, chemo and healing were complete, my private nurse asked if I would like to complete my journey with a tattooed nipple. I agreed. While watching the technician do her job, I fell in love with the process and realized why cancer had been a part of my life.”
Terri says at that moment she decided to go back to school and become a Permanent Makeup Artist herself so she could use her artistic talent and first-hand knowledge as a cancer survivor to help as many people as possible. For Terri, her work is more of a calling than a job.
Terri’s personal experience as a cancer survivor gives her an advantage when it comes to serving her clients. She understands what it is like to lose her eyebrows, all of her hair, and her areola. She has been in their shoes and relates to why a person may want permanent makeup as a way to feel complete again. “I enjoy looking in the mirror every day and seeing a survivor with a tattoo that is natural looking.”
Today she does all kinds of artistically styled permanent makeup for breast cancer survivors, alopecia clients, and people who need scar or burn camouflage. Her goal is to help women and men, or even young adults who need or desire to look and feel their best from their heart with a simple and subtle change through permanent makeup. She specializes in eyebrows, eyeliner, lips, and 3D areola for cancer survivors.
According to Terri, permanent makeup doesn't replace makeup, rather it improves your natural beauty. The application of medical cosmetic tattooing and permanent makeup can resolve time and convenience issues or solve problems when applying makeup such as allergies to ingredients of makeup, eye issues, unclear vision, arthritis, loss of hair from aging, alopecia, chemotherapy, accidents, burns or cosmetic surgery, and replacement of skin colors.
Terri says she is grateful the permanent makeup industry is non-competitive and client-centered. Each technician brings something special to a client, and as a result, they are like a sisterhood that supports one another. Terri loves it when she is able to collaborate with others and by doing so, help more people. She shared the story of a client who had come to her for Permanent Makeup. While doing her eyebrows, they discussed their backgrounds, discovering they were both breast cancer survivors. The woman made an appointment to complete her journey and have her breasts tattooed which changed her life. Terri decided to video the process and the results for future survivor clients so they could see the power of permanent makeup. Through a series of surprising connections, Terri's educational video was used by a local Plastic Surgeon to inform their own patients.
Knowing she is changing the way someone feels about themselves is Terri's greatest accomplishment. “The hugs, the tears, the thank you's, the referrals! When I see a client in local stores and they stop me and say thank you and introduce me as "This is Terri, the woman who changed my life", that makes my heart beat.
While Nouveau Image Permanent Cosmetics has been in business locally for ten years, Terri has recently opened a new location in World Golf in St. Johns at 319 W Town Place, Suite 21, St Augustine Fl 32092. For more information about Nouveau Image Permanent Cosmetics, please visit www.nouveaupc.com or call Terri directly at 917-584-8863 for a free consultation.
Terri has always been an artist from early childhood. From as far back as she can remember, she enjoyed playing with color and many types of mediums and later in life she became the talented artist she is today. (Her work was even featured in St. Johns Magazine’s Art issue). At the age of fifty, she was drawn to the field of permanent makeup after life threw her a curveball, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her mastectomy surgery, Terri discovered she was unable to receive a nipple reconstruction but was a candidate for a 3D areola tattoo.
“After all the surgeries, chemo and healing were complete, my private nurse asked if I would like to complete my journey with a tattooed nipple. I agreed. While watching the technician do her job, I fell in love with the process and realized why cancer had been a part of my life.”
Terri says at that moment she decided to go back to school and become a Permanent Makeup Artist herself so she could use her artistic talent and first-hand knowledge as a cancer survivor to help as many people as possible. For Terri, her work is more of a calling than a job.
Terri’s personal experience as a cancer survivor gives her an advantage when it comes to serving her clients. She understands what it is like to lose her eyebrows, all of her hair, and her areola. She has been in their shoes and relates to why a person may want permanent makeup as a way to feel complete again. “I enjoy looking in the mirror every day and seeing a survivor with a tattoo that is natural looking.”
Today she does all kinds of artistically styled permanent makeup for breast cancer survivors, alopecia clients, and people who need scar or burn camouflage. Her goal is to help women and men, or even young adults who need or desire to look and feel their best from their heart with a simple and subtle change through permanent makeup. She specializes in eyebrows, eyeliner, lips, and 3D areola for cancer survivors.
According to Terri, permanent makeup doesn't replace makeup, rather it improves your natural beauty. The application of medical cosmetic tattooing and permanent makeup can resolve time and convenience issues or solve problems when applying makeup such as allergies to ingredients of makeup, eye issues, unclear vision, arthritis, loss of hair from aging, alopecia, chemotherapy, accidents, burns or cosmetic surgery, and replacement of skin colors.
Terri says she is grateful the permanent makeup industry is non-competitive and client-centered. Each technician brings something special to a client, and as a result, they are like a sisterhood that supports one another. Terri loves it when she is able to collaborate with others and by doing so, help more people. She shared the story of a client who had come to her for Permanent Makeup. While doing her eyebrows, they discussed their backgrounds, discovering they were both breast cancer survivors. The woman made an appointment to complete her journey and have her breasts tattooed which changed her life. Terri decided to video the process and the results for future survivor clients so they could see the power of permanent makeup. Through a series of surprising connections, Terri's educational video was used by a local Plastic Surgeon to inform their own patients.
Knowing she is changing the way someone feels about themselves is Terri's greatest accomplishment. “The hugs, the tears, the thank you's, the referrals! When I see a client in local stores and they stop me and say thank you and introduce me as "This is Terri, the woman who changed my life", that makes my heart beat.
While Nouveau Image Permanent Cosmetics has been in business locally for ten years, Terri has recently opened a new location in World Golf in St. Johns at 319 W Town Place, Suite 21, St Augustine Fl 32092. For more information about Nouveau Image Permanent Cosmetics, please visit www.nouveaupc.com or call Terri directly at 917-584-8863 for a free consultation.
I See You NICU
by Jennifer Sesniak,
Founder & President, I See You NICU
Founder & President, I See You NICU
I See You NICU is an organization started by NICU mom, Jennifer Sesniak, who saw the lack of available support in the experience of parents with preemies who stay in the NICU and wanted to do something to fill the need.
The statistics are alarming and going in the wrong direction.
- 1 in 10 U.S. babies are born preterm -- a statistic increasing yearly and is one of the worst among high-resource nations.
- As many as 60% of NICU parents experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- On a positive note, 98% of babies survive the NICU due to the latest care and technical developments.
Jennifer's Story
After what seemed like a picture-perfect pregnancy, I went into premature labor at 28 weeks. Logan arrived fast and furious in an operating room filled with doctors and nurses at 2 lbs, 8 oz, and 14 inches. He breathed on his own, a blessing given the laundry list of potential possibilities. Whisked away to the Wolfson Children's NICU for an 81-day stay.
"The experience of seeing my tiny, fragile baby in a plastic box with wires connected everywhere, depleted all my strength. I thought, is this my fault, did I eat healthy enough, and why did my body fail me? "
This inner dialog sent me into the darkness of postpartum depression and anxiety with PTSD symptoms. I lost what being a first-time mom should look like and found there was no help on how to navigate my mental health, work life, insurance questions, or any sense of normalcy.
NICU professionals provided extraordinary care and were patient but our new normal meant permission had to be granted even to hold Logan. Depending upon his condition, some days we couldn't. I’ll never forget the alarms and late-night phone calls we hoped would never come, but day by day, Logan grew stronger, achieving milestones that seemed like mountains!
Today Logan is a strong-willed, happy four-year-old. We still reflect upon our journey as if no time elapsed. "We appreciate how lucky we are -- we could have used more support beyond one lone Facebook group. We didn’t know who to turn to for help during this time. I now know none of this was my fault, but we want to make sure others benefit from networking with those who share their experiences."
Unfortunately, the road of being a NICU parent doesn’t end at discharge. Our experience became the inspiration for I See You NICU, whose mission is to develop a network of past, present, and future NICU families. Also providing support, awareness, and education to our community. The goal this year is to grow our support network and build relationships with hospital NICUs to improve the process and patient outcomes.
Interested in getting involved or supporting the cause? You can share, like, volunteer or donate. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Let's all support the NICU community better. Remember, I See You NICU really does see NICU families.
"The experience of seeing my tiny, fragile baby in a plastic box with wires connected everywhere, depleted all my strength. I thought, is this my fault, did I eat healthy enough, and why did my body fail me? "
This inner dialog sent me into the darkness of postpartum depression and anxiety with PTSD symptoms. I lost what being a first-time mom should look like and found there was no help on how to navigate my mental health, work life, insurance questions, or any sense of normalcy.
NICU professionals provided extraordinary care and were patient but our new normal meant permission had to be granted even to hold Logan. Depending upon his condition, some days we couldn't. I’ll never forget the alarms and late-night phone calls we hoped would never come, but day by day, Logan grew stronger, achieving milestones that seemed like mountains!
Today Logan is a strong-willed, happy four-year-old. We still reflect upon our journey as if no time elapsed. "We appreciate how lucky we are -- we could have used more support beyond one lone Facebook group. We didn’t know who to turn to for help during this time. I now know none of this was my fault, but we want to make sure others benefit from networking with those who share their experiences."
Unfortunately, the road of being a NICU parent doesn’t end at discharge. Our experience became the inspiration for I See You NICU, whose mission is to develop a network of past, present, and future NICU families. Also providing support, awareness, and education to our community. The goal this year is to grow our support network and build relationships with hospital NICUs to improve the process and patient outcomes.
Interested in getting involved or supporting the cause? You can share, like, volunteer or donate. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Let's all support the NICU community better. Remember, I See You NICU really does see NICU families.
OZZY TREVINO PHOTOGRAPHY
For more information visit ozzytrevino.com | FB/ozzytrevinophotography | IG/ozzytrevinophotography
 | Meet Ozzy Trevino and learn about the skill and passion he has for capturing light with a camera. Discover his early beginnings, his current work and his dreams for the future. |
When someone asks, “What are you?”, my response is usually - I’m an American.
Proud and bold. But of course, one can be many things. With a little more context, you may find out that I am a husband, a father, a Texan, and a photographer.
I have been married to my lovely wife, Rebecca, for over 14 years. She is my best friend, my trusted advisor, and my voice of reason. She motivates me to be more and to be better at everything. She is the definition of a muse.
I have been blessed with two incredibly wonderful kids. Young, healthy, and curious - I couldn’t ask for better children. Their joy and humor is a constant uplifting light in my life.
Born a Texan, I’ll always feel a sense of pride tied to the Lone Star State, but after moving to the DC area for a few years, and after living in Florida for 5 years, I’m happy to say that I’m hopeful to stay in St. Johns for a very long time. St. Johns has become our favorite area by far. The location, the climate, the people… I feel that my family and I fit right in.
I was always the artistic kid growing up. My favorite toys were sharpened pencils, a clipboard, and a stack of blank paper. I grew up knowing I wanted to do something artistic but never really knew what that was until my senior year of high school. I was introduced to graphic design and found it was a great way to express my creativity. Photography came out of necessity during my graphic design work. I did not have access to the images that I needed in order to complete the projects at hand. A company I used to work for purchased a Canon DSLR camera, handed it to me, and said “I’m sure you can figure it out.” From that point on I read blogs, I watched YouTube videos, and I watched other photographers.
Proud and bold. But of course, one can be many things. With a little more context, you may find out that I am a husband, a father, a Texan, and a photographer.
I have been married to my lovely wife, Rebecca, for over 14 years. She is my best friend, my trusted advisor, and my voice of reason. She motivates me to be more and to be better at everything. She is the definition of a muse.
I have been blessed with two incredibly wonderful kids. Young, healthy, and curious - I couldn’t ask for better children. Their joy and humor is a constant uplifting light in my life.
Born a Texan, I’ll always feel a sense of pride tied to the Lone Star State, but after moving to the DC area for a few years, and after living in Florida for 5 years, I’m happy to say that I’m hopeful to stay in St. Johns for a very long time. St. Johns has become our favorite area by far. The location, the climate, the people… I feel that my family and I fit right in.
I was always the artistic kid growing up. My favorite toys were sharpened pencils, a clipboard, and a stack of blank paper. I grew up knowing I wanted to do something artistic but never really knew what that was until my senior year of high school. I was introduced to graphic design and found it was a great way to express my creativity. Photography came out of necessity during my graphic design work. I did not have access to the images that I needed in order to complete the projects at hand. A company I used to work for purchased a Canon DSLR camera, handed it to me, and said “I’m sure you can figure it out.” From that point on I read blogs, I watched YouTube videos, and I watched other photographers.
"Photography is just another outlet for creating something from nothing, and impacting the viewer in a different way.
Years later, I was lucky enough to work alongside other talented photographers. It quickly became my primary source of creative expression to where I have almost left graphic design work completely behind.
Photography is just another outlet for creating something from nothing, and impacting the viewer in a different way.
After photographing families, weddings, pets, and many other genres, I have found that commercial and stylized portraiture are my passion. Commercial photography allows me to solve an issue by figuring out the best approach and expressing the message that the client needs. Stylized portraiture gives me the opportunity to photograph many interesting people and visually creating a concept or an emotion.
To sum it up, Jessica Huffman once wrote, “Ozzy is an editorial photographer that captures his subject’s energy leveraging their individual strengths and interests. His ability to curate the perfect image communicates creativity, vibrance, and drama that speaks to the proper audience,”
In 2023, I will be setting specific business goals in order to grow. A friend of mine often says, “Goals that are not written down are just a wish”. Go, write them down, but be realistic. One completed goal is better than no goals reached. Make smaller, more obtainable goals, and hold yourself accountable.
As a small business owner, I will be making more of an effort to find the clientele searching for my style who have an appreciation for my type of imagery. My style is not for everyone. It has taken years for me to be comfortable with that. I feel any business owner should find that following and focus on that group of individuals. Build your own brand by doing what you love, how you love it.
Learn from the past, but focus on the future. I wish you the best at the start of this new year. From my family to yours, we wish you nothing but success and happiness!
PetsRFamilyVets.com │ 3035 County Road 210 W, St. Johns, FL 32259
Giving Comes from the Heart, Which is the Soul's True Compass
The pet industry, on its face, seems that it would be such an amazing effort to be part of based on the true joy of animal care. What could be more fun than to cuddle with a cute little kitten, or to romp around with a playful pup? And it absolutely is all those things! But it’s also an amazing dedication to giving. Giving that takes a truly dedicated heart, mind and soul to accomplish the extreme challenges the industry brings. And we aren’t just talking about giving in relation to the beautiful pets that fill our days. We are also talking about giving of ourselves to the people we serve every day.
Imagine going to work each day, and the patients you are caring and providing for, cannot speak to you. Meanwhile these beautiful loving patients have sometimes serious issues that require an all in effort to prevent extreme suffering even death. Now add to that the hurt and suffering of the parents of these patients, along with their mood swings, judgement and fears. These are the challenges of the Veterinary Industry every single day.
We are in a unique situation, as are so many care giving industries, where we are the advocates for our patients, even through their suffering. That is why so often, professionals in the Veterinary Industry, suffer along with the pets and clients. It is a transference of the challenges that a voiceless patient experiences. And those feelings are big and they are real.
So many of us began our focus on this industry as an honest passion to care for Gods beautiful creatures. And that passion drove us to Colleges, Universities and institutions where we spent many years studying (8 years to achieve a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine) to learn our craft of animal medicine. Often times, many more years were spent in a specialty or particular line of study. But it was the true love and dedication to giving of ourselves and our talents to help those who cannot help themselves, that drives us all to be those advocates. In the midst of beginning to practice animal medicine, we realize that this is the pinnacle of our passion. Caregiving, saving lives, and providing better health for our furry friends is a noble and wonderful calling.
| Meet our Doctors: Dr Kayla Hutton, Dr. Scarlet Motycka, Dr. Kathleen Deckard, Dr. Natalie Hashey, & Dr. Alysha Salapack |  |
And it is this calling that requires a giving spirit, a giving heart and a drive to “help them all” that is the root of our industry.
This passion and heart that drives so many of us every day does truly come at a price. Our industry is riddled with burnout, suicide, compassion fatigue and a shortage of dedicated leaders and true practitioners of high-quality medicine because of the heavy weight it bares. It’s an industry that requires a solid support system to provide for each others needs. Our people have to learn how to cope with not only the challenges of loss of life of a patient, and lack of complete control over the needs of the pet, but also the results of human abuse and pet parent anger and frustrations toward those in the industry.
Often as we approach Christmas, we think of giving and caring as synonymous with our hearts special attempts to provide gifts and offerings to others. However, in our industry, the true spirit of giving, is a daily dedicated approach to our chosen passion of loving our patients beyond a simple offering. We give our hearts and minds every day to provide a happy healthy life to an innocent animal, who is simply counting on us, to do our very best for them. We give our very best to the pet parent who is suffering along with their beautiful pet, as we comfort, support and educate them in the process of caregiving. And we give to each other, as we support, guide, administer to, and love, our co-workers who need our group help, to overcome the weight on our souls as we go through each day of work.
You see the true spirit of giving, comes from the heart, which is the soul’s true compass. So in the Veterinary Industry, and certainly within our amazing staff at Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we believe that the spirit of giving lives in us every single day we are alive.
We wish all of our amazing clients and each of you in our Saint Johns Community a blessed Christmas season. And may the spirit of giving of ourselves be the commonality we see in us all.
This passion and heart that drives so many of us every day does truly come at a price. Our industry is riddled with burnout, suicide, compassion fatigue and a shortage of dedicated leaders and true practitioners of high-quality medicine because of the heavy weight it bares. It’s an industry that requires a solid support system to provide for each others needs. Our people have to learn how to cope with not only the challenges of loss of life of a patient, and lack of complete control over the needs of the pet, but also the results of human abuse and pet parent anger and frustrations toward those in the industry.
Often as we approach Christmas, we think of giving and caring as synonymous with our hearts special attempts to provide gifts and offerings to others. However, in our industry, the true spirit of giving, is a daily dedicated approach to our chosen passion of loving our patients beyond a simple offering. We give our hearts and minds every day to provide a happy healthy life to an innocent animal, who is simply counting on us, to do our very best for them. We give our very best to the pet parent who is suffering along with their beautiful pet, as we comfort, support and educate them in the process of caregiving. And we give to each other, as we support, guide, administer to, and love, our co-workers who need our group help, to overcome the weight on our souls as we go through each day of work.
You see the true spirit of giving, comes from the heart, which is the soul’s true compass. So in the Veterinary Industry, and certainly within our amazing staff at Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we believe that the spirit of giving lives in us every single day we are alive.
We wish all of our amazing clients and each of you in our Saint Johns Community a blessed Christmas season. And may the spirit of giving of ourselves be the commonality we see in us all.
Caregiving, saving lives, and providing better health for our furry friends is a noble and wonderful calling
Dr. Kathleen Deckard
at Pets R Family!
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Photos by Ozzy Trevino Photography
It’s often the vision of any young, aspiring professional to go after a dream, achieve it and then practice it in your home town, with the people you love the most. So often in life we may find that isn’t the path we obtain. And for all the right reason’s end up in another place focused on life details that became our existing priorities at that time. However, in this case, the dream was achieved.
Dr. Kathleen Deckard DVM, has been a resident of Saint Johns County for over 45 years. She moved here as a young girl, in the area of Fruit Cove, near Julington Creek. Access to Fruit Cove was a two-lane road across the Julington Creek Bridge, where pavement left the suburban area of Mandarin and entered the country. Race Track Rd was still just two lanes as well back then, and our County Road 210 corridor, was only a road down to the Greenbriar area, which was then still dirt. The Community of Cimarrone was the only neighborhood on County Rd 210 during those early years in the 1990’s, and the local Truck Stops at I-95 were the only place to pick up supplies unless you drove into town.
Dr. Deckard had a dream to become a Veterinarian. It was a dream she had enjoyed for many years, and after graduating from the University of North Florida in Biology, she headed off to the University of Florida to finish her degree in Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion in 1999, she knew her absolute desire was to come home to Saint Johns County, the place she had grown and loved for so many years. You see her dream was to bring her knowledge of animal medicine to the people she loved the most. She always longed to serve her community in a way that impacted peoples lives. And her love for animals allowed her to reach her community with love, care and compassion for the beautiful fur babies that were their pets.
She began in Saint Augustine, FL, as an Associate DVM for a large practice in town. In her 16 years there she prioritized the three most important things for her life; honing her animal medicine skills, caring for people around her, and having children as she started her family with her husband. These key ingredients make up the distinct character that is the heart of this amazing care giver, and they still define her today.
Dr. Deckard had one piece of her dream left to attain in 2015. Her hearts desire had always been to have her own Veterinary practice, in her own community, and to live nearby so that her three lifes priorities could be practiced daily. Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital was opened to the public on June 1 in that year, and her dream was made complete.
Dr. Kathleen Deckard DVM, has been a resident of Saint Johns County for over 45 years. She moved here as a young girl, in the area of Fruit Cove, near Julington Creek. Access to Fruit Cove was a two-lane road across the Julington Creek Bridge, where pavement left the suburban area of Mandarin and entered the country. Race Track Rd was still just two lanes as well back then, and our County Road 210 corridor, was only a road down to the Greenbriar area, which was then still dirt. The Community of Cimarrone was the only neighborhood on County Rd 210 during those early years in the 1990’s, and the local Truck Stops at I-95 were the only place to pick up supplies unless you drove into town.
Dr. Deckard had a dream to become a Veterinarian. It was a dream she had enjoyed for many years, and after graduating from the University of North Florida in Biology, she headed off to the University of Florida to finish her degree in Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion in 1999, she knew her absolute desire was to come home to Saint Johns County, the place she had grown and loved for so many years. You see her dream was to bring her knowledge of animal medicine to the people she loved the most. She always longed to serve her community in a way that impacted peoples lives. And her love for animals allowed her to reach her community with love, care and compassion for the beautiful fur babies that were their pets.
She began in Saint Augustine, FL, as an Associate DVM for a large practice in town. In her 16 years there she prioritized the three most important things for her life; honing her animal medicine skills, caring for people around her, and having children as she started her family with her husband. These key ingredients make up the distinct character that is the heart of this amazing care giver, and they still define her today.
Dr. Deckard had one piece of her dream left to attain in 2015. Her hearts desire had always been to have her own Veterinary practice, in her own community, and to live nearby so that her three lifes priorities could be practiced daily. Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital was opened to the public on June 1 in that year, and her dream was made complete.
I always knew that achieving my degree in Veterinary Medicine and returning to my home to practice it to the best of my ability for the people I know and love, was my life’s dream. |
Pets R Family is a full-scale pet care facility, with a focus on high quality medicine and exceptional client care and service. Per Dr. Deckard’s design, PRF is a five Doctor practice, with over 55 employees. Their 11,000 square foot facility has state of the art surgical suites, and a recently remodeled Hospital Treatment area that can accommodate and care for many pets of all types and sizes. Dr. Deckard designed her hospital to be a place of comfort and care. And the design and flow in function are specifically created to best provide that for their clients.
Dr. Deckard shared her thoughts on her dream with us, and encapsulated it this way. “I always knew that achieving my degree in Veterinary Medicine and returning to my home to practice it to the best of my ability for the people I know and love, was my life’s dream. And to be able to achieve that in my own family owned and operated company, where my children and husband work alongside me, is beyond what I ever could have truly imagined. My hope as we continue to grow in serving our community in pet and client care, is that we never lose sight of the key tenets in our foundation of approaching each person and pet with love, care and compassion. And if we achieve that each day, then we are truly, living my life’s dream.” Dr. Deckard also shared that her daughter, Abigail Deckard, is also on track to follow in her mothers’ footsteps and become a Veterinarian, one day working alongside her.
Not often in life are we able to achieve all the things we wished we could do. And quite often, life finds a way to steer us in other directions and into other places than we expected. However, this local, hometown lady, has found a way to stay on course, achieve her life goals and bring them home so that we all can benefit from her talents in pet care and in the human care.
Dr. Deckard shared her thoughts on her dream with us, and encapsulated it this way. “I always knew that achieving my degree in Veterinary Medicine and returning to my home to practice it to the best of my ability for the people I know and love, was my life’s dream. And to be able to achieve that in my own family owned and operated company, where my children and husband work alongside me, is beyond what I ever could have truly imagined. My hope as we continue to grow in serving our community in pet and client care, is that we never lose sight of the key tenets in our foundation of approaching each person and pet with love, care and compassion. And if we achieve that each day, then we are truly, living my life’s dream.” Dr. Deckard also shared that her daughter, Abigail Deckard, is also on track to follow in her mothers’ footsteps and become a Veterinarian, one day working alongside her.
Not often in life are we able to achieve all the things we wished we could do. And quite often, life finds a way to steer us in other directions and into other places than we expected. However, this local, hometown lady, has found a way to stay on course, achieve her life goals and bring them home so that we all can benefit from her talents in pet care and in the human care.
How did you get your start
as a photographer?
I started as an actual BUSINESS (license, insurance, the works) when I moved down here from Missouri in October of 2014. I had always had a camera around my neck BEFORE that, but in October, all the teaching jobs are FILLED, and no one needs a substitute yet, either. :D Rather than mope around on the couch, I decided to chase my other passion…photography – and I still get to work with kids! <3
What has been your biggest challenge as a small business owner?
Back end work. Keeping up with all the permits, licensing, insurance, advertising…I do it, of course, but I’d MUCH rather be creating art. :D
What is nature's child photography
known for in our community?
Gosh. I would LIKE to say it’s my amazing personality and bodacious body…BUT I’m going to go with my ability to capture your genuine selves, timeless non-fad artwork, quality heirloom prints, albums, and other commissioned pieces, and excellent customer service.
I’m also pretty active in the volunteer community with Momcology and V for Victory – both of which help families affected by cancer. In 2019, I created a calendar that helped raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand – a non profit organization that also helps families affected. I had to take a break for 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of the virus and the viral sensitivity of the subjects, but I PLAN to be able to do it again in 2022.
What is your favorite part of
being a photographer?
Seeing people come alive…with love, with happiness, with raw emotion. And when I get goosebumps? I know it’s a win.
What is your perfect photoshoot?
Honestly? Anytime a family trusts me completely, from styling ideas, to location, to posing/unposing. THAT’S when the magic gets to truly happen, and the good times flow…and you see it on your pictures later!
What are your hopes for the future?
I’m pretty happy right now, to be honest. MAYBE, in the far future, expanding my studio space for my Santa experience sessions? We’re cozy right now, (and I like it like that), but a little space never hurt anyone either. :D
as a photographer?
I started as an actual BUSINESS (license, insurance, the works) when I moved down here from Missouri in October of 2014. I had always had a camera around my neck BEFORE that, but in October, all the teaching jobs are FILLED, and no one needs a substitute yet, either. :D Rather than mope around on the couch, I decided to chase my other passion…photography – and I still get to work with kids! <3
What has been your biggest challenge as a small business owner?
Back end work. Keeping up with all the permits, licensing, insurance, advertising…I do it, of course, but I’d MUCH rather be creating art. :D
What is nature's child photography
known for in our community?
Gosh. I would LIKE to say it’s my amazing personality and bodacious body…BUT I’m going to go with my ability to capture your genuine selves, timeless non-fad artwork, quality heirloom prints, albums, and other commissioned pieces, and excellent customer service.
I’m also pretty active in the volunteer community with Momcology and V for Victory – both of which help families affected by cancer. In 2019, I created a calendar that helped raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand – a non profit organization that also helps families affected. I had to take a break for 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of the virus and the viral sensitivity of the subjects, but I PLAN to be able to do it again in 2022.
What is your favorite part of
being a photographer?
Seeing people come alive…with love, with happiness, with raw emotion. And when I get goosebumps? I know it’s a win.
What is your perfect photoshoot?
Honestly? Anytime a family trusts me completely, from styling ideas, to location, to posing/unposing. THAT’S when the magic gets to truly happen, and the good times flow…and you see it on your pictures later!
What are your hopes for the future?
I’m pretty happy right now, to be honest. MAYBE, in the far future, expanding my studio space for my Santa experience sessions? We’re cozy right now, (and I like it like that), but a little space never hurt anyone either. :D
Quality Veterinary Medicine
Dr Scarlet Motycka, Dr. Kayla Hutton, Dr. Kathleen Deckard, Dr Natalie Hashey,
In the world in which we live, we have all seen the continued transition of Privately Owned Businesses being purchased by large Corporations and Investment Groups, to add to their geographical footprint and overall sales volume. It has happened in every category, and in every service type. This is also true of the Animal Industry. We have seen so many of the privately owned, family owned or single Doctor owned practices, sell to large entities and groups, as supply costs continue to increase, HR management becomes more of a hurdle, and services become an ongoing challenge to manage and balance. This has been going on for over 30 years in our industry, but has reached a critical mass in the past 5 years in our market area. This transition has created a divide between the “Traditional Quality Vet Medicine” that most Doctors entered into the Veterinary Industry to practice and be part of, and the “New Corporate Vet Medicine” that is becoming more prevalent, and less focused on being a quality medicine practice.
This is a key industry shift, and one that sets apart the “Total Quality Pet Care” focus vs, the “Budget Package” focus of the Corporate Vet practices. Consumers need to fully understand the difference, and there needs to be an awareness of the details and services within, as you make decisions for the very best medical care for your pet.
Corporately run Vet practices have done research and completed studies that show what the very best opportunities are to reach a high percentage of the population with pet care, devise a “Budget Based” system for the pet owner, and achieve a “Turn Rate” of clients that is high enough to achieve a maximum profitable ratio.
Then, just like a fast food chain, they create cookie cutter outlets of that format, where they can offer the exact same design, to then increase their footprint and overall dollar volume. Certainly these companies still have caring and well trained people looking after the pets and clients within this format.
This is a key industry shift, and one that sets apart the “Total Quality Pet Care” focus vs, the “Budget Package” focus of the Corporate Vet practices. Consumers need to fully understand the difference, and there needs to be an awareness of the details and services within, as you make decisions for the very best medical care for your pet.
Corporately run Vet practices have done research and completed studies that show what the very best opportunities are to reach a high percentage of the population with pet care, devise a “Budget Based” system for the pet owner, and achieve a “Turn Rate” of clients that is high enough to achieve a maximum profitable ratio.
Then, just like a fast food chain, they create cookie cutter outlets of that format, where they can offer the exact same design, to then increase their footprint and overall dollar volume. Certainly these companies still have caring and well trained people looking after the pets and clients within this format.
We approach pet medicine from a two tiered level of, quality and fact based medical research and resolution along with education of our client owners, for an improved “best life” opportunity for your pets.
However, those same well trained employees who got into the industry to offer great pet care, are now adhering to sales quotas and working within tight parameters on what they can do. Additionally, the Corporate “Package” entity that has taken ahold of the pet industry and consumer base, leaves out one clear medical fact……..that the health of living animals cannot be defined by a “Package”. It is our belief, and the belief and practice of “Quality Medical” facilities everywhere, that if you treat the “Package” you win some you lose some, but if you treat the “Patient”, you win every time, no matter the medical facts. Veterinary practices, with the exception of Low Cost Clinics, and Shelter Medical facilities, certainly are “For Profit” businesses.
We all have to pay our personnel, buy our expensive equipment, and pay back our student loans for our Vet Degrees, and keep the lights on in our buildings. So certainly we all must have some focus on pricing and the optimal ways to reach as many people as we can with the knowledge of our practices. However the key difference that is evolving, is that the “Quality Medicine” focus of private practices, is completely focused on total pet care from the tip of the pets nose to the tip of the pets tail. A “package” does not define the limits of our scope, nor does it drive the register ring.
Our practice at Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, is totally focused on the highest quality pet care and client experience. We approach pet medicine from a two tiered level of, quality and fact based medical research and resolution along with education of our client owners, for an improved “best life” opportunity for your pets. We offer a leading edge facility with equipment, hospital and medical protocol design that is of the highest level. And we operate with a trained, professional staff, that is built with a service ratio greater than other practices our size. We have chosen this design to better serve our clients with attention, communication, education, and supporting services that make your pet care experience fulfilling and complete. And we start each day with the promise that we operate under the tenants that have been offered to us by our Creator, of Love, Care and Compassion.
At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we believe that your pet is truly a part of your family, just as we feel about our own. And we approach each patient with the focus of providing the very best in pet care. Never will you hear us speak of a “package” or a designed program that has nothing to do with your pets needs. We believe that each pet is a different and unique living creature, that deserves our upmost attention and effort to achieve the best medical care and quality life possible. That’s why we say “At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we are your other family Doctor!”
We all have to pay our personnel, buy our expensive equipment, and pay back our student loans for our Vet Degrees, and keep the lights on in our buildings. So certainly we all must have some focus on pricing and the optimal ways to reach as many people as we can with the knowledge of our practices. However the key difference that is evolving, is that the “Quality Medicine” focus of private practices, is completely focused on total pet care from the tip of the pets nose to the tip of the pets tail. A “package” does not define the limits of our scope, nor does it drive the register ring.
Our practice at Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, is totally focused on the highest quality pet care and client experience. We approach pet medicine from a two tiered level of, quality and fact based medical research and resolution along with education of our client owners, for an improved “best life” opportunity for your pets. We offer a leading edge facility with equipment, hospital and medical protocol design that is of the highest level. And we operate with a trained, professional staff, that is built with a service ratio greater than other practices our size. We have chosen this design to better serve our clients with attention, communication, education, and supporting services that make your pet care experience fulfilling and complete. And we start each day with the promise that we operate under the tenants that have been offered to us by our Creator, of Love, Care and Compassion.
At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we believe that your pet is truly a part of your family, just as we feel about our own. And we approach each patient with the focus of providing the very best in pet care. Never will you hear us speak of a “package” or a designed program that has nothing to do with your pets needs. We believe that each pet is a different and unique living creature, that deserves our upmost attention and effort to achieve the best medical care and quality life possible. That’s why we say “At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we are your other family Doctor!”
Talks about her kids going back to school and getting back to normal!
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Many kids in St Johns County are excited to be going back to school for the chance to see friends and classmates they haven't seen in over a year because of COVID. Understandably, parents are both excited and cautiously optimistic.
"Action News Jax This Morning" Anchor Dawn Lopez can relate to how parents may be feeling because she's going through it as well. "We've shared news reports with our viewers on doctors warning about the mental and social toll the pandemic was having on families. My family is no exception," reveals Dawn. "Even with the best efforts, my children fell behind in school. Between testy technology to virtual fatigue and cabin fever, there were lots of family meetings about keeping each other on the right track."
It's been an unprecedented time dealing with the isolation that COVID has caused for parents and their children.
"I spent a lot of time encouraging my kids to set time aside for video chats with friends so they could stay connected. My daughter was suffering but now there's light at the end of the tunnel! My twins are excited about learning in the classromm again and seeing their friends regularly."
While the Pandemic is far from over, there is a feeling of trying to get back to "normal" and Action News Jax is committed to providing the information needed to help communities get through it, safely. During back-to-school month, Dawn and her "Action News Jax This Morning" team will be covering many of the issues parents will need answers to. Updates to the CDC Guidelines will be on-going. Identifying the new safety measures in schools including food health safety and what St Johns County is requiring to keep COVID-19 out of the classrooms. And, if a student or staff member shows symptoms, what is the school's plan to deal with that? Action News Jax will be looking into that for sure.
The new school year is here, and for now, it's all about getting back to normal.
"Action News Jax This Morning" Anchor Dawn Lopez can relate to how parents may be feeling because she's going through it as well. "We've shared news reports with our viewers on doctors warning about the mental and social toll the pandemic was having on families. My family is no exception," reveals Dawn. "Even with the best efforts, my children fell behind in school. Between testy technology to virtual fatigue and cabin fever, there were lots of family meetings about keeping each other on the right track."
It's been an unprecedented time dealing with the isolation that COVID has caused for parents and their children.
"I spent a lot of time encouraging my kids to set time aside for video chats with friends so they could stay connected. My daughter was suffering but now there's light at the end of the tunnel! My twins are excited about learning in the classromm again and seeing their friends regularly."
While the Pandemic is far from over, there is a feeling of trying to get back to "normal" and Action News Jax is committed to providing the information needed to help communities get through it, safely. During back-to-school month, Dawn and her "Action News Jax This Morning" team will be covering many of the issues parents will need answers to. Updates to the CDC Guidelines will be on-going. Identifying the new safety measures in schools including food health safety and what St Johns County is requiring to keep COVID-19 out of the classrooms. And, if a student or staff member shows symptoms, what is the school's plan to deal with that? Action News Jax will be looking into that for sure.
The new school year is here, and for now, it's all about getting back to normal.
My kids see it as a privilege now, to be in the classroom and have access to their teachers firsthand and having lunch with their friends every day. 2021-2022 look out, here we come!”
In addition to coverage of back-to-school on "Action News Jax This Morning," look for their back-to-school special "Back to the Classroom," airing Thursday, August 5th at 7pm on CBS47 and Friday, August 6th at 7pm on FOX30.
www.shearwaterliving.com.
CELEBRITY TRAINER CHRIS POWELL LAUNCHES
MOVE ONE MILLION ON THE EAST COAST AT SHEARWATER
New nonprofit aims to reduce anxiety and obesity through free daily exercise and mindfulness broadcast.
Shearwater, the master-planned residential community on County Road 210, hosted ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss Star Trainer and New York Times Best Selling Author, Chris Powell, in May as he launched his new nonprofit, Move ONE Million (M1M) on the East Coast.
M1M is a completely free, online service that aims to bring health and togetherness back to humanity by reaching and moving one million people. The nonprofit’s mission is to standardize movement and mindfulness in our culture, giving every human the access to move daily, reduce stress, and feel connected with others for improved physical, mental, and social health.
“Healthy living is at the heart of Shearwater’s commitment to our residents and the greater community,” Susan Moguel, Marketing Director, Shearwater. “We are dedicated to continuing to improve health and overall wellbeing. Move One Million is an incredible organization with a mission that is closely aligned with our own.”
M1M is a completely free, online service that aims to bring health and togetherness back to humanity by reaching and moving one million people. The nonprofit’s mission is to standardize movement and mindfulness in our culture, giving every human the access to move daily, reduce stress, and feel connected with others for improved physical, mental, and social health.
“Healthy living is at the heart of Shearwater’s commitment to our residents and the greater community,” Susan Moguel, Marketing Director, Shearwater. “We are dedicated to continuing to improve health and overall wellbeing. Move One Million is an incredible organization with a mission that is closely aligned with our own.”
While on the First Coast, Chris met with local Duval County and St. John’s County Commissioners, School Board members and teachers at Shearwater’s Kayak Club to share Move ONE Million’s mission. On Saturday, Shearwater invited the community to their event lawn for a launch party where Chris spoke and taught families the 2.5 minute routine. Shearwater residents and local stakeholders attended the event, and it was live-streamed for the entire community to enjoy. You can replay the event www.facebook.com/shearwaterlife.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic I was inspired to give back and find a way to help others deal with the feelings of isolation and anxiousness,” said Chris Powell, founder of Move ONE Million. “Daily movement is the first step to positive life-long change and improving both physical and mental health. I truly believe we can change the world by changing one million lives together. I’m so grateful to Shearwater for believing in my mission and hosting the East Coast launch of my nonprofit.
At the top of every hour daily, M1M broadcasts the 2.5-minute routine that everyone, regardless of age or ability can do, followed by a 1-minute mindfulness exercise to reduce stress and positive affirmation to boost confidence and self-esteem. The broadcast is available to live stream across the globe on several social platform and on M1M’s App.
Shearwater’s unique focus on lifestyle programming, healthy living, and the connection to neighbors and proximity to the outdoors sets it apart from other communities in the area, making it the ideal location to launch Move One Million on the East Coast.
Shearwater is located at 100 Kayak Way, St. Augustine, FL 32092.
To learn more about Shearwater, visit www.shearwaterliving.com. Shearwater currently offers home designs from David Weekley, Lennar, Dream Finders and MasterCraft.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic I was inspired to give back and find a way to help others deal with the feelings of isolation and anxiousness,” said Chris Powell, founder of Move ONE Million. “Daily movement is the first step to positive life-long change and improving both physical and mental health. I truly believe we can change the world by changing one million lives together. I’m so grateful to Shearwater for believing in my mission and hosting the East Coast launch of my nonprofit.
At the top of every hour daily, M1M broadcasts the 2.5-minute routine that everyone, regardless of age or ability can do, followed by a 1-minute mindfulness exercise to reduce stress and positive affirmation to boost confidence and self-esteem. The broadcast is available to live stream across the globe on several social platform and on M1M’s App.
Shearwater’s unique focus on lifestyle programming, healthy living, and the connection to neighbors and proximity to the outdoors sets it apart from other communities in the area, making it the ideal location to launch Move One Million on the East Coast.
Shearwater is located at 100 Kayak Way, St. Augustine, FL 32092.
To learn more about Shearwater, visit www.shearwaterliving.com. Shearwater currently offers home designs from David Weekley, Lennar, Dream Finders and MasterCraft.
  |  |
55 Jaidev Road, St Johns, FL 32259
For more information visit bartramdental.com
or call 904.201.6000
For more information visit bartramdental.com
or call 904.201.6000
This month is the grand opening of Bartram Dental Center just east of I-95 on CR210. The new facility offers a state-of-the-art, full-service dental office with expanded services including implant therapy, adult orthodontics and sleep treatment. Bartram Dental is also home to its very own dental assisting school. The doctors, Dr. Jason Lewis, DDS, FAGD, and Dr. Royce Barlow, DMD, live and work in St. Johns along with their families.
Having been in business since 2005, Bartram Dental Center is all about positivity, compassion, teamwork, and family with the goal of providing patients with the best possible outcome. We had the opportunity to meet the dentists and their team, and tour this beautiful new dental practice right in the heart of northern St. Johns. When you step through the door of the new offices, you feel the relaxing comfort of a beautiful home and a welcome feeling pervades in every detail of the decor and energy of the staff.
Having been in business since 2005, Bartram Dental Center is all about positivity, compassion, teamwork, and family with the goal of providing patients with the best possible outcome. We had the opportunity to meet the dentists and their team, and tour this beautiful new dental practice right in the heart of northern St. Johns. When you step through the door of the new offices, you feel the relaxing comfort of a beautiful home and a welcome feeling pervades in every detail of the decor and energy of the staff.
Drs. Jason Lewis & Royce Barlow, along with their wives Traci & Jamie lead the team at their new office in northern St. Johns
Why did you choose St. Johns?
Dr. Lewis: We love the family-friendly spirit that thrives here in northern St Johns County. We see it daily with our patient family and our own family’s life. We are raising our twin sons Carson & Connor here and appreciate the world-class public schools, opportunities for youth sports, and the friendliness of our neighborhoods. We know that we are blessed with an amazing quality of life here. We also did a lot of research before we moved to Jacksonville, and determined that St Johns County had the best school system. Traci was a high school math teacher, so it was important for both of us for her to have a great school district to work in.
What is your practice’s mission?
Dr. Lewis: We made an investment years ago in becoming a “Complete Health” dental practice. There are only a select few Complete Health dentists in the U.S. It involves training, resource commitments etc. For our patients it means we are focused on helping them maintain their very best “complete health” -- not just ideal “dental” health. Patients see our Complete Health mission when we ask about their sleeping habits, diet challenges, new medications, other health issues. We believe the mouth is the gateway to your overall health. We can help people with issues way beyond having a beautiful and fully-functioning smile. Our mission statement is ‘We create healthy, happy people, one smile at a time’.
What is important to you in providing dental care?
Dr. Lewis: We want our patients to relax and have a pleasant dental experience knowing that we will be compassionate while we expertly address their issues. We are fully aware that patients experience “dental anxiety” and we work to make sure that is minimized. We make sure you know what to expect and we are focused on minimizing any discomfort. Many patients also benefit from various forms of sedation dentistry. Ultimately, we know that patients need to have a pleasant experience if they are going to continue to be a member of our patient family. Overall, the most important aspects to me in providing dental care are the patient experience, as well as the team experience. If you have a happy team, patients can sense this, and it makes them feel more comfortable in our office.
Dr. Lewis: We love the family-friendly spirit that thrives here in northern St Johns County. We see it daily with our patient family and our own family’s life. We are raising our twin sons Carson & Connor here and appreciate the world-class public schools, opportunities for youth sports, and the friendliness of our neighborhoods. We know that we are blessed with an amazing quality of life here. We also did a lot of research before we moved to Jacksonville, and determined that St Johns County had the best school system. Traci was a high school math teacher, so it was important for both of us for her to have a great school district to work in.
What is your practice’s mission?
Dr. Lewis: We made an investment years ago in becoming a “Complete Health” dental practice. There are only a select few Complete Health dentists in the U.S. It involves training, resource commitments etc. For our patients it means we are focused on helping them maintain their very best “complete health” -- not just ideal “dental” health. Patients see our Complete Health mission when we ask about their sleeping habits, diet challenges, new medications, other health issues. We believe the mouth is the gateway to your overall health. We can help people with issues way beyond having a beautiful and fully-functioning smile. Our mission statement is ‘We create healthy, happy people, one smile at a time’.
What is important to you in providing dental care?
Dr. Lewis: We want our patients to relax and have a pleasant dental experience knowing that we will be compassionate while we expertly address their issues. We are fully aware that patients experience “dental anxiety” and we work to make sure that is minimized. We make sure you know what to expect and we are focused on minimizing any discomfort. Many patients also benefit from various forms of sedation dentistry. Ultimately, we know that patients need to have a pleasant experience if they are going to continue to be a member of our patient family. Overall, the most important aspects to me in providing dental care are the patient experience, as well as the team experience. If you have a happy team, patients can sense this, and it makes them feel more comfortable in our office.
 Dr. Barlow with his assistant Madison  Dr. Lewis with a patient |  Front Entrance at the new Bartram Dental Center |
Dental Assistant Classroom with Instructor Brittany What do you want your patients to know?
Dr. Lewis: We want our current and "future" patients to know that we are committed to providing state-of-the-art dental services from our brand new facility just east of I-95 at CR-210. Our modern new office is designed with the patient experience in mind. We want you to be relaxed and confident that our dentists are going to successfully treat you. We want our patients to know that Bartram Dental is locally-owned -- our dentists live here and intend to be leading Bartram Dental for years to come. Any member of our team of dental health professionals at Bartram Dental could work anywhere, but they choose to be a part of our very special Practice. Customer service is a lost art in the medical profession, and it is our passion to bring it back.
How do you work together as a team to help patients?
Dr. Lewis: Recently, we had a patient referred to us by another patient, who has very severe dental anxiety. We listened to her concerns, and presented clinical and financial options to help with her anxiety about dental treatment. We offered this patient conscious sedation, which is a form of sedation that involves taking a couple of pills. When I followed up with the patient after treatment, she was ‘blown away’ about how wonderful her experience was (she had an extraction and 2 dental implants placed) and she was looking forward to coming to her future dental appointments. She loved our customer service and overall work environment. We also communicated with her medical doctors to keep them informed of her treatment and how this procedure could impact other areas of her health. This type of experience is one example of many that fuels our passion as an office to provide exceptional care to our patients.
How do you keep up with current dental technology and education?
Dr. Lewis: Our dentists and other dental health professionals are routinely enrolled in training classes and coursework to make certain we are providing our patients with the latest advances in Dentistry. It's part of who we are at Bartram Dental to fully embrace modern technology especially when it reduces patient discomfort and dramatically improves patient outcomes. We also make sure we are up to date for our assisting school. We are very proud of the men and women that have graduated our Florida Department of Education approved program. We are honored that they have chosen us as a resource to better their lives and the lives of their future patients.
What are some of the best new treatments people may not know about?
Dr. Lewis: Our newest laser technology allows us to treat cavities and other minor procedures without anesthesia. We also have 3D X-ray technology that gives us information about the patient’s airway. Speaking of airway, our laser technology will also eliminate snoring by treating the palate area. This can be done without anesthesia as well. That is life changing!
What are some special features you offer patients at your office to make their experience enjoyable?
Dr. Lewis: Starbucks only wishes their coffee was as good as what we offer (haha). In the mornings, we make freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies to give to our patients as they leave (there’s no job security there!). During treatment, the patient has the option to watch one of their favorite shows on Netflix, Disney+ or Hulu. We also offer warm, scented towels as a finishing touch to your visit with us. Lastly, we have a beverage bar that includes coffee, water, and Gatorade. You may just want to sit next to a fireplace and drink a nice cup of coffee or tea in one of our cozy sofas and relax as well!
How do you help people who are embarrassed by their smiles?
Dr. Lewis: Our dentists will work with you to develop a “realistic” plan that will get you the beautiful and fully-functioning smile that you deserve. We will make sure you understand every step of the process and we will always be mindful of your budget. We also "listen" to your concerns and goals. We fully appreciate that we are working with you to create a smile that will last a lifetime.
Do you live in St. Johns?
Both Drs. Lewis and Barlow along with their wives and families live in St Johns County. Dr. Barlow and his wife, Jamie, are natives of St Augustine. Many of our team members are proud St Johns County residents as well. We all appreciate this very special place.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working? Dr. Lewis and his wife Traci, the Practice Manager, enjoy spending time with their twin sons. Their boys are very active in youth sports including baseball, basketball, flag football, etc. which keeps them busy. They also enjoy spending time at home and enjoying all the outdoor activities available in Northeast Florida. Dr. Barlow, his wife Jamie, and their young daughter enjoy spending time with family and friends, riding bikes, going to the beach, and watching Georgia Football.
Dr. Lewis: We want our current and "future" patients to know that we are committed to providing state-of-the-art dental services from our brand new facility just east of I-95 at CR-210. Our modern new office is designed with the patient experience in mind. We want you to be relaxed and confident that our dentists are going to successfully treat you. We want our patients to know that Bartram Dental is locally-owned -- our dentists live here and intend to be leading Bartram Dental for years to come. Any member of our team of dental health professionals at Bartram Dental could work anywhere, but they choose to be a part of our very special Practice. Customer service is a lost art in the medical profession, and it is our passion to bring it back.
How do you work together as a team to help patients?
Dr. Lewis: Recently, we had a patient referred to us by another patient, who has very severe dental anxiety. We listened to her concerns, and presented clinical and financial options to help with her anxiety about dental treatment. We offered this patient conscious sedation, which is a form of sedation that involves taking a couple of pills. When I followed up with the patient after treatment, she was ‘blown away’ about how wonderful her experience was (she had an extraction and 2 dental implants placed) and she was looking forward to coming to her future dental appointments. She loved our customer service and overall work environment. We also communicated with her medical doctors to keep them informed of her treatment and how this procedure could impact other areas of her health. This type of experience is one example of many that fuels our passion as an office to provide exceptional care to our patients.
How do you keep up with current dental technology and education?
Dr. Lewis: Our dentists and other dental health professionals are routinely enrolled in training classes and coursework to make certain we are providing our patients with the latest advances in Dentistry. It's part of who we are at Bartram Dental to fully embrace modern technology especially when it reduces patient discomfort and dramatically improves patient outcomes. We also make sure we are up to date for our assisting school. We are very proud of the men and women that have graduated our Florida Department of Education approved program. We are honored that they have chosen us as a resource to better their lives and the lives of their future patients.
What are some of the best new treatments people may not know about?
Dr. Lewis: Our newest laser technology allows us to treat cavities and other minor procedures without anesthesia. We also have 3D X-ray technology that gives us information about the patient’s airway. Speaking of airway, our laser technology will also eliminate snoring by treating the palate area. This can be done without anesthesia as well. That is life changing!
What are some special features you offer patients at your office to make their experience enjoyable?
Dr. Lewis: Starbucks only wishes their coffee was as good as what we offer (haha). In the mornings, we make freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookies to give to our patients as they leave (there’s no job security there!). During treatment, the patient has the option to watch one of their favorite shows on Netflix, Disney+ or Hulu. We also offer warm, scented towels as a finishing touch to your visit with us. Lastly, we have a beverage bar that includes coffee, water, and Gatorade. You may just want to sit next to a fireplace and drink a nice cup of coffee or tea in one of our cozy sofas and relax as well!
How do you help people who are embarrassed by their smiles?
Dr. Lewis: Our dentists will work with you to develop a “realistic” plan that will get you the beautiful and fully-functioning smile that you deserve. We will make sure you understand every step of the process and we will always be mindful of your budget. We also "listen" to your concerns and goals. We fully appreciate that we are working with you to create a smile that will last a lifetime.
Do you live in St. Johns?
Both Drs. Lewis and Barlow along with their wives and families live in St Johns County. Dr. Barlow and his wife, Jamie, are natives of St Augustine. Many of our team members are proud St Johns County residents as well. We all appreciate this very special place.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working? Dr. Lewis and his wife Traci, the Practice Manager, enjoy spending time with their twin sons. Their boys are very active in youth sports including baseball, basketball, flag football, etc. which keeps them busy. They also enjoy spending time at home and enjoying all the outdoor activities available in Northeast Florida. Dr. Barlow, his wife Jamie, and their young daughter enjoy spending time with family and friends, riding bikes, going to the beach, and watching Georgia Football.
Author
St. Johns Magazine
Debbie Gaylord
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