By Louise Deegan – Originally published in the 2015 Founder’s Review Magazine
Rick Erwin moved to Miami in 1972 from Eola, Texas, and then to Belleview in 1976. He graduated from a school with just 146 students spanning 1st through 12th grade, with only seven in his senior class. He earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M in 1972.
Rick worked with thoroughbred horses for a year, following the racing circuit, before transitioning to treating small animals while still caring for horses. Today, his practice focuses primarily on small animals.
He founded Camelot Veterinary Hospital in Belleview and ran it for about 10 years. He also owned an animal hospital in Wildwood, which he later sold to Dr. Leigh McBride, who had been working alongside him. In 1993, he opened Belleview Veterinary Hospital across from Belleview Middle School.
Dr. Holly Samko, who specializes in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, is his go-to person for information on medicines and manufacturers.
Dr. Erwin is actively involved in the community, sponsoring the 4-H program at Hillcrest School, including their pig in the Youth Fair, which fetches top dollar at the sale. He also sponsors local baseball, basketball, and T-Ball teams, as well as the Belleview High School FFA.
His wife, Janet, leads a 4-H club at their home, with 58 kids participating in the program. She also sponsored the MOMS Garden at Jervey Grant Park, a space for mothers who have lost children to remember them.
Dr. Erwin also supports the Southern Junior Rodeo Association, the Florida Junior Rodeo Association, and the Florida High School Rodeo Association.
Over the years, Dr. Erwin has employed many students, with 18 of them going on to earn veterinary degrees. He has even gifted some of them with equipment he replaced, and they still use those tools today. He has also helped many others achieve college degrees in various fields.
Rick enjoys the rodeo atmosphere, where families with shared interests, ideas, and values gather—without the influence of alcohol. They become like family and look out for one another.
His daughter, Cara Erwin-Oliver, works with him and graduated from veterinary school around 1996. She competed in barrel racing at rodeos during her time at Lake Weir High School.
Cara’s daughter, Casey, is 12 years old and competes in barrel racing across multiple age brackets, even against professionals. She has won $29,000 in the past year.
Dr. Erwin is deeply involved with his children and grandchildren. Twice a month, he joins his son Case, who competes in shooting and rides National Cutting Horses. Case has qualified for the National Finals in High School Rodeo twice in Gillette, Wyoming. This year marks his 11th trip with his children to compete in the National Rodeo Finals.
His son Cole has been involved in rodeo since he was nine years old.
Dr. Erwin employs 18 full-time staff members and 3 ½ veterinarians. He notes that more and more women are entering the veterinary field and often prefer part-time work to balance their professional and family lives.
Outside of work, Dr. Erwin enjoys growing orchids. His property is home to 18 palm tree species, 57 palms, 150 oaks, and various other trees, including River Birch, Japanese Rain Trees, and Sycamores, which he planted himself.
He works 40 to 50 hours a week and enjoys it so much that he has no plans to retire.
Dr. Erwin says, “The Belleview area is the greatest place to live in the U.S.A. It’s just hours away from the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Orlando, and even the Keys. I enjoy fishing and visiting other places on vacation, but Belleview is home for me.”
