Special to The Laker/Lutz News

From the moment you walk in, you can literally see the difference. At Starkey Ranch Animal Hospital and Rehab Center, the rehab therapy wing alone seems as big as other veterinary clinics, and is definitely a lot more open than most.

This is by design. Having 1,500 sq. ft., of open-concept rehab space is much more calming to both pet and owner, than some cramped, little, windowless room. Owner, Dr. David Sheridan, D.V.M. says, “It feels like they’re at the gym, because basically they are.”

He’ll also tell you that in rehab it’s important for the pet owner to be an active part of the process whenever possible, that way they can see all the benefits first-hand. Dr. Sheridan, whose staff includes a certified canine rehab therapist, has been practicing locally since 2004.

In addition to being a licensed vet, his background in exercise physiology allows him to apply additional knowledge to pet treatment, be it in post-operative rehab therapy, or while overseeing the fitness training of agility dogs.

His wife, Melissa, the animal hospital’s administrator, grew up locally in Carrollwood. They are the parents of three adult children. Their family owned business on Gunn Highway in Odessa was opened in 2009, under a different name. The Sheridans took over the facility in 2015 and renamed it last year to better reflect the variety of services they offered.

As a full-service veterinary hospital, they do much more than just rehabilitation therapy. As you’d expect, more familiar services, such as vaccinations, dental care and medical diagnoses, are offered. But, so are things like acupuncture treatment, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, and ultrasound therapy.

Additionally, they offer laser therapy, and can treat cardiac, renal, hepatic, dermatologic and endocrine diseases, as well as diabetes. Turning back to the rehab side, one of their two treadmills is the underwater variety for use in hydrotherapy.

It’s clear that Starkey Ranch Animal Hospital and Rehab Center strives to provide the most complete veterinary medical and rehab care around. Call to schedule an appointment for your pets today, and see the difference for yourself.

813-852-2227 • 727-845-4566 • 

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Monday, Wednesday

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Saturday

 2046 Gunn Highway• Odessa, FL 33556 • (just off of SR-54)

Scott Hatch understands how intimidating and confusing computers are for many people. And that’s why he prides himself for being able to talk to customers about their computer problems and needs at a level that they understand.

“It’s unfortunate that 90 percent of computer technicians have difficulty explaining a computer problem and solution in language that regular people understand,” said Hatch. “Which means, after they leave, the customer often has no idea what was done, and then are very frustrated if the problem happens again.”

This is never the situation with Hatch, who operates SB Hatch Computer Services in Wesley Chapel.

“My first goal is to always make someone feel comfortable with me,” said Hatch. “Whether it’s the CEO of a company, or an entry-level employee, I know how to communicate so they do not feel intimidated and are at ease asking me questions.”

Hatch has been working on computers for over 30 years. In the 1970s, before there were even PCs, he immersed himself in computer technology. He even predicted back then that someday every home would have a computer.

Hatch joined the Army in 1982, working in field artillery, and was the only person in his barracks who had a computer. He began taking classes in programming, and when he was discharged from the Army seven years later, quickly found work in the data processing department of a New Hampshire hospital.

From there, Hatch was recruited by a Fortune 500 company and moved to Colorado, where he worked for 20 years until last August, when he moved to Wesley Chapel to set up his own business.

“I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and my wife wanted to live in Florida,” said Hatch. “We chose Wesley Chapel because of its booming economy, proliferation of home-based businesses and the many suburban neighborhoods with families needing help with technology,” said Hatch.

Hatch identifies himself as a good listener, which is why 90 percent of his business comes from repeat customers.

“While competency is of course important, what my clients appreciate most is that I truly listen to their needs and then explain in language they understand, what needs to be done. Plus, I focus on solving the issues they called about, without trying to upsell other services,” he said.

In addition to working with families, much of Hatch’s work is with small businesses, in particular medical practices and legal offices. He offers the same technical services found in larger IT companies.

“The difference is that I touch every customer and personally advise them,” said Hatch. “Plus, because I purposely keep my business small and overhead low, my rates are very affordable.”

SB Hatch Computer Services charges a flat $50 an hour. And, unlike many IT companies, there is no trip charge. When someone calls for service, an appointment is typically scheduled within a day or two.

Hatch is currently offering families and businesses a free Wi-Fi analysis and wireless speed check — a $100 value.

Many people complain that their Wi-Fi coverage is inconsistent and spotty in different rooms. With businesses and families depending on cell phones and digital devices more and more, improving Wi-Fi reception makes a huge difference in productivity.

“Wi-Fi makes sense for consumers and businesses because they don’t have to buy extra hardware. Set up properly, Wi-Fi can meet security requirements, including HIPAA regulations,” said Hatch.

(813) 563-4242

Behind every successful business there is a leader whose vision has shaped the company as it overcame the challenges of growth, and has put in place the groundwork needed for continued success.

Dana Spears is that leader at Cornerstone Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, one of Pasco’s most successful family businesses.

Dana has lead Cornerstone for over 11 years. Her determination and never-give-up attitude has resulted in the company growing from six to sixty employees, with over $8 million in sales.

Dana attributes much of Cornerstone’s success to being a woman-owned business.

“Women understand that nothing is more important than being customer centered. It’s the little things that we do in the first 30 seconds that sets the tone for exceeding customer expectations,” said Dana.

“When people call, they assume we have the technical expertise to solve their problem,” she continues. “What they remember is how they felt when they first talked to our customer service rep, or first meet our technician at their door. It’s the kind, helpful voice, the clean uniform and shoe covers, the tech who focuses on them and not their phone, that sets us apart.”

Every Cornerstone employee is trained to the company’s high customer service standards.

“As a mom and wife, I know how it feels to allow someone into your home,” Dana explains. “When we send a tech to a customer’s home, I feel just like I am sending them to my own home. Over two-thirds of our calls come from the woman in the family, and as a woman, I fully understand her concerns and expectations when she allows someone into her home.”

GENUINE EMPLOYEES

Outstanding customer service begins with hiring the right people who exemplify her company’s values, Dana said.

“We hire people who are genuine, honest, trustworthy, clean-cut and live their life with good ethics and morals,” said Dana. “Most are local people who live in our service area, and are committed to their community.”

Cornerstone was founded in 2006 as an air conditioning service company. In 2012, it expanded into plumbing services, and two years later added electrical services.

“We expanded because our customers kept asking if we could provide other home improvement services,” said Dana. “They trusted us and were comfortable having us in their homes, and we wanted to accommodate them.”

Dana’s husband, James, has a strong background in both air conditioning and plumbing, and has lead the company’s advancement in technical services.

“James is a problem solver with great technical knowledge and the ability to understand what’s going on very quickly,” said Dana. “Our company was able to expand successfully because of his technical expertise in so many areas.”

All of Cornerstone’s technicians are specialists that have specific training in their field. “This means our A/C guys are experts at air conditioning, and do not go out on plumbing and electrical calls,” said Dana. “We have certified plumbers and electricians for those calls.”

WARRANTY TEAM

Cornerstone warranties all of its work, and has a dedicated team of experienced technicians who follow up on any warranty problem. There is no charge for this service, and techs keep coming back until the problem is 100 percent resolved.

Cornerstone also maintains a separate maintenance department for customers who want regular cleaning services and preventative check ups. These technicians focus on service only, and do not promote additional services or products during their visits.

Also working in the family business are Dana’s mother, Dolores, daughters Morgan and Hannah, and son Josh, soon to be son-in-law Michael, and boyfriend-in-law Ronnie. (Daughter Taylor works in banking.) Dana and her children are all graduates of Land O’ Lakes High School. Per youngest son will be starting kindergarten this year.

“We are successful because we’ve built our business on reputation and trust,” said Dana. “James and I are hands-on business owners, and always stand behind the work of our employees. Our motto is to go above and beyond customer expectations, and everyone of our employees strive to make that happen every day.”

Cornerstone phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Call (813) 949-4445 anytime, day or night. For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

It’s been a busy year-and-a-half since Jo-z Wilder opened her State Farm Insurance office along the State Road 54 corridor in Pasco County.

“We have been so welcomed by the community, that we’ve surpassed all the goals we set for ourselves when we opened,” said Jo-z, owner of the State Farm agency.

Jo-z attributes part of her success to being in the center of the booming business district of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel. Her office is located on the south side of State Road 54, just east of Livingston Avenue, and minutes from I-75 and U.S. 41.

“We’re convenient to so many people — which is important because our clients like to come to the office to work with our agents,” said Jo-z. “Of course, we also conduct business online, or telephone but many people prefer sitting down with their agent face-to-face to talk about their insurance needs.”

“We find that people appreciate our old-fashioned, personal touch. Plus, they appreciate that we’re open Tuesday and Thursday until 7 p.m., and are available by appointment outside of regular office hours,” she said.

For many families, Jo-z’s office provides all their insurance and banking needs — auto, homeowners, renters, life and business policies, as well as checking and savings accounts.

“State Farm writes more auto, life & homeowner insurance than anyone else. It’s our goal to be a one-stop service for our customer —providing all the insurance they need to protect themselves and their families,” said Jo-z.

When it comes to auto or homeowners insurance, which State Farm is perhaps best known for, Jo-z and her team can offer discounts for good drivers, good students, low mileage and good driving habits. Plus, they can apply discounts to multiple vehicles or policies in the same household.

“Right now, we are offering a huge discount on auto insurance for customers who also have their homeowner’s insurance with us,” said Jo-z. “In addition to great rates, our homeowner’s policies provide more comprehensive coverage and higher limits — up to $500,000 — than most other companies.”

Roofing and pet liability are good examples of State Farm’s comprehensive homeowner coverage. State Farm policies can provide full replacement cost of roof damage, and liability coverage in case a pet is involved in an incident with injuries.

Working with Jo-z are four experienced, licensed agents —Joshua Dike, Dominique Sinson, Jose Pomades, & Claudia Montes who additionally speaks Spanish.

“I have an incredible team that makes people feel at home in our office,” says Jo-z. “We genuinely care about our customers and our community. We don’t just write insurance policies — we find out what’s most important to our customers, and then present products best suited for them.”

Jo-z is an active member of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. Her office primarily serves families in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and New Tampa.

“Please feel free to call or stop by anytime,” said Jo-z. “My team looks forward to meeting with you and helping you find the best insurance services at rates you can afford.”

Jo-z Wilder • State Farm

23604 State Road 54 • Lutz, Fl. 33559

(813) 616-JAKE (5253)

MyWilderAgent.com

The official grand opening of Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Land O’ Lakes is being celebrated June 21 with a ribbon cutting co-hosted by the Central Pasco and Wesley Chapel chambers of commerce.

The public is invited to the event, which takes place from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lakeside’s office on Bell Lake, at 4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Chamber members, customers and friends can enjoy food catered by Hungry Harry’s Bar-B-Que and raffles for A/C cleanings, thermostats and gift cards.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing opened in March and has already earned an “A Rating” from Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau, as well as being designated a “5 Star Contractor” with HomeAdvisor.

“We are very happy with the positive reception we’ve gotten from the community,” said owner Ron. “It is gratifying to have helped so many local families with their air conditioning needs, and also to support several local sports teams and special events with our sponsorships.”

Ron is a respected and longtime HVAC technician with 22 years experience in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Before establishing Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Ron was a partner in a HVAC company based in Lutz.

Working alongside Ron at the company is Omar Matos, a highly qualified HVAC technician with 15-years experience who is also EPA certified. Eric Rapp also works for the company as a HVAC technician, and Jackie Horruitiner is the office manager.

“I’m taking all that I’ve learned from my previous business and applying it to make Lakeside successful,” said Ron, who plans to keep his new company small, so he can offer low prices and be closely involved in customer service.

“After 22 years in the business, I’ve seen every problem there is, and can quickly and accurately assess the best course of action when someone calls with a problem,” said Ron.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing specializes in helping families with A/C units that are 10 to 15 years old.

“We believe in being proactive, instead of waiting for an emergency when your A/C stops working in the heat of the summer,” said Ron.

“There are thousand of homes in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel that were built in the early 2000s, whose air conditioning systems need service and upgrades. We can save you money, if you call before your system breaks down.”

Lower energy cost is another reason to upgrade your A/C system, Ron explains.

“Most people see savings of 20 percent to 50 percent when they upgrade to a new system with a higher SEER rating,” he said. All the units we install have a minimum SEER rating of 14, and our top-rated, quietest Rheem system offers an unbelievable rating of 20.5.”

Higher SEER ratings result in dramatic energy savings — often more than $100 a month on your utility bills. “For people installing new systems, this energy savings make for an excellent return on investment,” Ron said. In addition to Rheem, Lakeside also installs air conditioning systems manufactured by Goodman, Frigidaire and Mitsubishi.

Both Duke Energy and TECO offer rebates of up to $800 to customers who replace their old system with a new unit that has a SEER rating of 15 or higher. Lakeside takes care of all the rebate paperwork for its customers.

The company also installs whole house filtration systems, hot water heaters, and secures rebates up to $550 for customers who install tank-less, gas-powered tanks that are serviced by People’s Gas and Clearwater Gas.

“We take our responsibility very seriously when you place your trust in us,” said Ron. “Please give us a call for your A/C service needs, and see what you’ve been missing.”

(813) 444-9474.

4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. • Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

LakesideComfortPros.com

Todd Boudreau understands better than most that a small business can provide better expertise and customer service than a large company, because the owner can be involved in every job.

He knows this firsthand, because before starting Air Conditioning Solutions, for 10 years he and his wife, Teresa, owned a large mechanical and plumbing company with more than 30 employees in their home state of Kansas.

While that business was very successful, it grew to become larger than they wanted to manage. So the couple sold the business in 2001, and Todd went to work for a large distributor.

A few years later, the Boudreaus and their three young children moved to Land O’ Lakes for its good schools, excellent youth sports programs and the opportunity to be a part of Tampa Bay’s fast-growing economy.

Initially, Todd worked for area HVAC companies. His extensive mechanical experience was in demand, especially his knowledge of geothermal heating and cooling systems, in addition to his 30 years experience in plumbing and traditional air conditioning systems.

By 2006, Todd and Teresa were ready to be business owners once again.

“When we decided to open another business, we knew we wanted to keep it small,” said Todd. “We believe staying small keeps us closer to our customers, and allows me to do what I love best —using my mechanical skills and years of experience to help people find the best solution to their air conditioning, heating and plumbing needs.”

And, that is just what Todd, Teresa and their oldest son, Brandon, do every day from their new Land O’ Lakes location on U.S. 41, directly across from the McDonald’s at Arbor Square at Connerton.

“We purposely plan to keep the business at fewer than 10 employees, because we believe staying small is the best way to control quality, pricing and customer service,” said Todd.

While there are many air conditioning companies in the area, Air Conditioning Solutions is one of few that specialize in geothermal heating and cooling systems, which makes up about 30 percent of the company’s business. The remaining 70 percent comes from repairing and installing traditional A/C systems and plumbing jobs.

Geothermal technology is an underground system that takes advantage of the earth’s steady, 72-degree temperature to efficiently cool and maintain a building’s temperature. Thousands of feet of tubing are buried in the earth, and then water circulates through these pipes to efficiently cool and heat.

There are many advantages to geothermal cooling systems, including a savings of up to 50 percent in utility bills. A geothermal system has a life span of 30 to 40 years, compared to eight to 12 years typical for standard HVAC systems with outside compressors continually exposed to Florida’s extreme weather. Plus, heating a swimming pool is a free byproduct of geothermal air conditioning.

“I have sold around 300 geothermal systems – nearly all closed-loop systems — in the past 10 years,” said Todd. “Our customers find the return on investment is usually six to eight years after they calculate their monthly utility savings and the cost to replace a standard A/C unit every 10 years or so.”

For smaller homes, a geothermal system begins at $25,000, and for large homes on the water, the cost can top $250,000. Pricing includes building and installing the metal ductwork that Todd and Brandon custom build for every job.

Brandon, who is 25 and a graduate of Sunlake High School, recently returned from helping family in Kansas to join the family business. He has worked alongside his father since he was 14, and like his dad, is an expert at installing geothermal systems.

The Boudreau family also includes son Logan, who will be studying mechanical engineering at the University of Central Florida, and daughter Morgan, a junior at Sunlake High, who plays on the school’s softball team.

In 2012, the Boudreaus purchased the building and property owned by Miller’s Sheet Metal Shop. They expanded and renovated the building and outside areas to house all of its services, under one roof — sheet metal, air conditioning, plumbing, geothermal and spray foam insulation.

“We were told by many people to level the old building and build a new one,” said Todd. “But, with the help of many people, we were able to revitalize the Miller property and honor its long history. We feel very fortunate and thankful to own such a perfect parcel of property right here in Land O Lakes.

8021 Land O Lakes Blvd., Land O Lakes FL 34638

(813) 394-7444 (office) • (727) 687-8094 (cell)

AirConditioningSolutions.net

Certified Mechanical Contractor License # CMC1249503

Certified Plumbing Contractor License # CFC1428984