The Story Behind Epic Pet Care
When Mairim Gersholowitz, MBA and Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, DVM, DACVIM, decided to build Epic Pet Care, they weren’t just starting a veterinary hospital — they were reshaping what the word care means in animal medicine.
In less than a year, their team has grown to nearly 100 professionals across two thriving hospitals in Tampa and St. Petersburg. But this rapid expansion didn’t come from chasing numbers — it came from a shared belief: medicine should follow compassion, not corporate process.
“Over the last decade, we’ve seen hospital autonomy disappear,” said Mairim. “We wanted to bring it back — to empower doctors and staff to make real decisions, connect with pet owners, and share in the success of their work.”
The Personal Touch That Defines Epic
Epic Pet Care operates under a philosophy that blends clinical precision with hotel-level hospitality.
Every detail — from soft couches and warm blankets in the lobby to a fully stocked coffee and snack bar — is designed to make clients feel at ease during stressful moments.
“If you’re a pet owner and you walk into our hospital,” says Mairim, “we want you to feel like you just walked into the Four Seasons.”
It’s a culture where comfort meets capability — where medical excellence is matched by emotional intelligence.
A Team Built on Empowerment and Trust
Dr. Lachowicz, a board-certified veterinary oncologist, emphasizes that great care starts with empowered people.
“If someone has a complaint,” he explains, “we ask them, ‘What would you do to fix it?’ That’s how you create ownership and accountability.”
The founders give every team member — from doctors to support staff — the freedom to act, grow, and lead. That same philosophy has attracted some of the region’s most talented clinicians and support staff, many of whom are now shareholders in the hospitals themselves.
Medicine That Mirrors Humanity
As specialists in emergency and specialty veterinary care, Epic Pet Care manages complex cases that often come at life’s hardest moments. Dr. Lachowicz’s oncology work brings him face-to-face with both medical and emotional challenges daily.
“My sanctuary is the exam room,” he says. “That one-on-one time with families — that’s where trust and healing start.”
And while the pets are always the patients, the humans are never forgotten. From grief counseling to late-night coffee and couches for resting families, Epic’s approach is as much about empathy as it is about expertise.
A New Standard in Veterinary Medicine
Epic’s founders have big plans — but their focus remains on growing the right way.
“We’ve got two little beans,” Mairim smiles. “Now we just need to let them sprout.”
Their sights are set on expanding across the Gulf Coast — including Sarasota — while preserving what makes Epic unique: a culture of kindness, collaboration, and no shortcuts.
And their leadership motto? It’s simple and clear: “No Jerks Allowed.”
Because when you’re building something epic, it starts with people who care — deeply.
About Epic Pet Care
Epic Pet Care is a multi-specialty and emergency veterinary hospital group providing comprehensive care for pets and the people who love them. With locations in Tampa and St. Petersburg, their specialties include internal medicine, surgery, oncology, and critical care.
Learn more about their team and mission at epicvetcare.com.
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The Story Behind Epic Pet Care
When Mairim Gersholowitz, MBA and Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, DVM, DACVIM, decided to build Epic Pet Care, they weren’t just starting a veterinary hospital — they were reshaping what the word care means in animal medicine.
In less than a year, their team has grown to nearly 100 professionals across two thriving hospitals in Tampa and St. Petersburg. But this rapid expansion didn’t come from chasing numbers — it came from a shared belief: medicine should follow compassion, not corporate process.
“Over the last decade, we’ve seen hospital autonomy disappear,” said Mairim. “We wanted to bring it back — to empower doctors and staff to make real decisions, connect with pet owners, and share in the success of their work.”
The Personal Touch That Defines Epic
Epic Pet Care operates under a philosophy that blends clinical precision with hotel-level hospitality.
Every detail — from soft couches and warm blankets in the lobby to a fully stocked coffee and snack bar — is designed to make clients feel at ease during stressful moments.
“If you’re a pet owner and you walk into our hospital,” says Mairim, “we want you to feel like you just walked into the Four Seasons.”
It’s a culture where comfort meets capability — where medical excellence is matched by emotional intelligence.
A Team Built on Empowerment and Trust
Dr. Lachowicz, a board-certified veterinary oncologist, emphasizes that great care starts with empowered people.
“If someone has a complaint,” he explains, “we ask them, ‘What would you do to fix it?’ That’s how you create ownership and accountability.”
The founders give every team member — from doctors to support staff — the freedom to act, grow, and lead. That same philosophy has attracted some of the region’s most talented clinicians and support staff, many of whom are now shareholders in the hospitals themselves.
Medicine That Mirrors Humanity
As specialists in emergency and specialty veterinary care, Epic Pet Care manages complex cases that often come at life’s hardest moments. Dr. Lachowicz’s oncology work brings him face-to-face with both medical and emotional challenges daily.
“My sanctuary is the exam room,” he says. “That one-on-one time with families — that’s where trust and healing start.”
And while the pets are always the patients, the humans are never forgotten. From grief counseling to late-night coffee and couches for resting families, Epic’s approach is as much about empathy as it is about expertise.
A New Standard in Veterinary Medicine
Epic’s founders have big plans — but their focus remains on growing the right way.
“We’ve got two little beans,” Mairim smiles. “Now we just need to let them sprout.”
Their sights are set on expanding across the Gulf Coast — including Sarasota — while preserving what makes Epic unique: a culture of kindness, collaboration, and no shortcuts.
And their leadership motto? It’s simple and clear: “No Jerks Allowed.”
Because when you’re building something epic, it starts with people who care — deeply.
About Epic Pet Care
Epic Pet Care is a multi-specialty and emergency veterinary hospital group providing comprehensive care for pets and the people who love them. With locations in Tampa and St. Petersburg, their specialties include internal medicine, surgery, oncology, and critical care.
Learn more about their team and mission at epicvetcare.com.
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