Dr. Robert Esplin founded Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in 1974. He and his wife Carol committed their lives to the practice, their family, and the Sylvania community. Over the years, as the practice grew, they raised four children, Tricia, Matt, Kevin and Tim.
After graduating from OSU in 1970 Bob and Carol were married and moved to Madison, WI where he joined a multi-doctor small animal practice. After learning the ropes of practice from two experienced vets, Joe Donovan and Morrie Link, Dr. Bob decided it was time to go out on his own. The Donavan Veterinary Hospital was ahead of its time as it was one of the first AAHA certified practices in the mid-west. The starting point of AAHA excellence influenced Dr. Bob in how he planned to operate his new practice. Dr. Bob and Carol made the move back home to undertake the scary proposition of opening a brand new veterinary hospital.
While living in Madison Bob and Carol’s family increased with the addition of their first child, Tricia. Tricia’s childhood was filled with activities including Toledo Ballet and competitive swimming. She graduated from St. Ursula and Ohio University. She is married to Josh Saum. They live in Medina with their three children Jack, Kate and Charlie. Tricia is a teacher for ECOT, an on-line charter school. Josh is a sales representative for GAF roofing.
Matt grew up in Sylvania and graduated from Southview High School. He ran cross country and track. He was a member of two state championship cross country teams and a state runner-up 2 mile track relay. He is married to Tia Yandrisevich. Matt and Tia live in Haddonfield, NJ and have a daughter Ella. Matt works for American Medical Systems, a medical device company. He has been the company’s number one performer for the last two years.
Kevin is the only Esplin child that lives in the area. Kevin attended Southview and played football and hockey. He was on the first Southview football team to win a co-NLL championship. His team laid the ground work for the excellent teams Southview has fielded the last 10 years. He was also a hockey captain his senior year. Kevin is married to Angel. They have one daughter, Alayna. Kevin works for Orthofix, a medical device company. He earned his MBA from Findlay in 2008.
Tim lives in Denver and is married to Natalia Ptas. Tim attended St. Francis where he played hockey. Being a great skier he chose to attend Colorado State University where he majored in business and minored in pre-med. For the last year and a half Tim has been earning his executive MBA from Denver University. He graduated in March 2010. During this time he has also started an import business, Esplin Enterprises. His first product line is women’s clothes designed, manufactured and imported from Kenya. The LaLesso clothing can be seen at www.designerswithpurpose.com.
In 2010 Carol and Bob celebrated 40 years of marriage. SylvaniaVET would not be the success it is today if Carol had not been such a supportive and understanding wife. Though not active in the day to day running of SylvaniaVET she gets credit for encouraging Dr. Bob to realize his dream. Carol retired from teaching in the Sylvania school system in 2008. Her new job is being Grandma Carol which she does with the same energy and excellence she applied to raising her children and teaching her students. In addition Carol is involved as an Ambassador at the Toledo Museum of Art.
Dr. Bob shows no interest in slowing down let alone retiring. He continues to love his career. He is still looking for a hobby that gives him the same sense of accomplishment and innovation that being a veterinarian brings him. Bringing new equipment, techniques and improving patient care and customer service is his passion. He maintains a strong interest in orthopedics, dental care, behavior and dermatology as well as staff motivation and customer service. It is his enthusiasm for the community that guides SylvaniaVET’s large commitment to helping animal rescues, defeating single breed legislation and supporting worthwhile causes. Dr. Bob was selected as a business Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008. He is very proud of being selected as best vet by the readers of Toledo City Paper 11 years in a row starting in 2007.