Dr. Graves, the youngest of 4 brothers, grew up in Western New York State.  While his brothers graduated from college with engineering degrees, he was always interested in the medical sciences.  Since they grew up on a farm, when the decision time arrived, he applied to and was accepted at the New York State College of  Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  Upon graduation from Cornell as a newly minted Veterinarian, he founded a Veterinary practice in Orchard Park, New York.  That practice, the Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center, has grown to be one of the preeminent small animal hospitals in New York State.  (for those interesed, their web site is www.opvmc.com.)

While Dr. Graves found a lot to appreciate in working and living in the north east, he was always fascinated by the "Sunny South".  Consequently in 1967, he and a Cornell classmate flew a single engine Beechcraft down to Witham Field in Stuart, Florida.  There, they borrowed a car from a friend and drove to Miami where the Florida State Licensing examinations were given.  Two months later, the Florida Veterinarian License arrived in the mail.  Decisions, decisions, with children in school, Dr. Graves decided to stay  in Orchard Park until the children had completed their college education.

By autumn of 1984, with the family college bills reconciled, the Dr. had leased office space and had equipped a Veterinary clinic in the Ocean Breeze Plaza in Jensen Beach, Florida.  On October 3rd, 1984 the Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital opened it's doors.

Jensen in the mid 80's was still a sleepy town.  It was fun to arrive here to start a business and to join the Chamber of Commerce and to help the town grow.  Dr. Graves was on the chamber board and was Chamber president when the Pineapple Fest was originated.  How many people remember "The Mirror", our hometown newspaper.  Much was happening in Jensen Beach while the Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital was growing.

In 1989, Jensen Beach Boulevard, formerly called Commercial Street, was widened and modernized to its present configuration.  At this time Dr. Graves decided to relocate to our current site on Jensen Beach Blvd.  He designed and built the structure to be above high water and stand up against our local weather.  The design also provided for state of the art medical and boarding care for our clients' pets.  In its 20 years the hospital has served well and with normal maintenance should serve many more.

In 2002 Dr. Graves thought that he had found a suitable and viable successor to continue the growth of the practice and be faithful to our past service to the community.  Unfortunately for the Dr. and Mrs. Graves it did not work out that way.  After several years in the practice our successor was in default to the bank and the bank foreclosed.  When no viable offers were made, the bank sought Dr. Graves to rescue the practice.  This is Dr. Graves immediate goal and he intends to continue with a plan taking the practice to the next level of excellence comensurate with the progress of medical science and the growth of our community.

Dr. & Mrs. Graves still have a lot of items remaining on their "bucket list" but they certainly didn't want to see the practice they had worked so long and hard to develop, to be totally destroyed.  They have responded to the invitation and have returned to restore the practice.  The clients have been most gracious and appreciative to welcome Dr. Graves and several select members of the original staff.  You will be pleased to find that together they are working to restore this Jensen Beach Landmark to its former state of excellence.  It is indeed the "Home of your Pet's Best Friends".