Congratulations to Christy Layton, one of our 2017 Wonder Women.
If you have a pet in Plant City, odds are you’ve visited Timberlane Pet Hospital and Resort.
Christy Layton, the owner and main veterinarian for Timberlane, grew up in Plant City and has known since she was given her first horse at the age of 12 that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Her first horse was hurt and Layton began treating her. Afterwards, a local veterinarian offered her a job helping out around the office. She’s been hooked ever since.
“I get my satisfaction from being able to do that, from being able to give,” Layton said. “I give my time and my money and whatever I have, my emotions. It makes my life better, I think it makes our community better. If we had more people that gave instead of took we’d probably be in a lot better place in the world. If we could make Plant City be the whole United States I think we’d have a lot less conflict than we do everywhere else.”
Layton has been involved in community service her entire life. She is currently the President of the Hillsborough Veterinary Medical Society as well as the Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Florida Veterinary Medical Association.
She is an annual participant in Relay for Life and volunteers her time for Second Chance Friends, a rescue for pets of all kinds including dogs, cats and even horses.
Though she often finds herself stretched thin, Layton can’t imagine taking more time for herself.
“Honestly I thought many times about cutting back and to try to give up something,” Layton said. “But I haven’t been able to do that yet because I haven’t been able to pick a cause that I believe in less. There’s nothing I could give up and still be happy, I’d always want to go back and help those causes.”
She said watching an animal blossom, watching one literally survive because of her assistance makes it all worth it. Just this week, Layton volunteered her time and operated on a dog from the Pet Resource Center that was going to be euthanized before a rescue group Layton works with intervened.
The rescued dog had a large mammary mass, an infected uterus and when they spayed her they found she had a dead puppy inside. Layton said thinking about how terrible that dog must’ve felt and knowing they were able to make a difference is the reason she dedicates her time to these causes.
That’s not to say she doesn’t have rough days. Layton said the last few weeks she had been in a “funk.” Despite her nature to plan everything out she took her motorcycle out on a long ride. She doesn’t remember where she went, she just drove.
That “wind therapy” helped her clear her mind and she returned relaxed and recouped. Spending time with her sisters and nieces also acts as a balm when she begins to feel stressed or overwhelmed.
One of the many organizations she works with is Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation, for which she is the treasurer. The group started Vets4Pets in Tampa, which has veterinarians donate their time and resources to be able to help animals by providing spaying and neutering, vaccinations and giving them heartworm prevention along with other medications.
She said the program helps animals but ultimately helps their owners, too, as many will go without to make sure their pets are taken care of.
At her own clinic, Layton strives to provide a family atmosphere. She personally owns five dogs, two horses, two ball pythons and an umbrella cockatoo. She knows the importance of having a clinic you trust to take your animals to when they are sick or in need.
She wants people to come to Timberlane because they know the staff will treat the pets like their own. She said Plant City as a whole is a remarkable place to live and is constantly amazed at how the community will come together to help an animal in need.
“I’m blessed to be from Plant City,” Layton said. “I think I was raised in a small town for a reason. I like the small town feel and the fact that people know I do community service and know I use businesses that also do community service. I want to encourage others to give and be able to do my part and help wherever there is a need.”
