Veterinarian Profile
Growing up in the farming communities of the Midwest, Dr. Cowden had an instant charisma and affinity for animals. Not only interested in neighborhood pets, Dr. Cowden cared for stray animals, squirrels, rabbits, a red-tailed hawk injured by a shotgun, and other birds. He believed that God intended for these animals to be wild, so he released them as soon as their rehabilitative care was complete.
He worked as a technician for several veterinarians growing up to gain experience in the kennel. Their recommendations and his high grade point average during undergraduate studies at Auburn University helped him gain early acceptance into the Veterinary Medical Program at Auburn. He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1987. After graduating, he took an internship in Phoenix, Arizona, to gain experience in exotic and avian specialty practice. Here he met Scooch, the clinic parrot.
Scooch was extremely ill with a resistant bacterial infection and was tube-fed, received injections of antibiotics, and lived in an incubator for a month. Scooch's owners could not afford such intensive care, but they did not want him to be euthanized. They implored Dr. Cowden to try to save Scooch. Being an intern with no income, Dr. Cowden could only offer his time and caring compassion.
Upon completing his internship, Dr. Cowden moved to Panama City, Florida, to assist a husband-and-wife veterinary practice in large and small animal medicine. After Dr. Cowden proved he could run a three-doctor practice on his own, he purchased Keene Road Pet Hospital from Dr. Hodges in 1989. For years, Dr. Cowden and his wife Lynda ran the practice together. But as babies came and business grew, Lynda retired and new staff joined the practice.
In 1995, Walgreen's bought Dr. Cowden's Gulf to Bay and Keene property. His new practice on Pegasus Avenue became A Pet's Place of Clearwater, Inc., which offers more room, a modern facility, and added services like boarding and grooming. At A Pet's Place of Clearwater, Inc., we continue to strive for the same care and compassion we want for our own pets. In Dr. Cowden's own words, "I am very proud of my staff because we continually train and push ourselves to be the best at caring for our patients."
