THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508040197
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Linda McNatt
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
Johnson grew up in Chapin, S.C., a town even smaller than the one in which he has since established his practice.
``We have one stop light,'' Johnson said, chuckling. ``We got it during my senior year of high school. I love small towns. I knew immediately where I wanted to be.''
Two friends from college acquainted Johnson with Hampton Roads. ``They always talked about how wonderful it was here, so many things to do,'' he said.
And he's found they were right. He likes the area because it's close to the beaches, mountains and Washington, a city he loves to visit.
Johnson can recall only once in his life ever thinking he wanted to be anything other than a veterinarian. ``When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a garbage man. I thought it really looked like fun to ride on the back of a truck.''
But he soon decided that he wanted to be a vet instead. Johnson graduated from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., and went on to graduate, with honors, from the University of Georgia's School of Veterinary Medicine.
If the vet didn't have his new job at The Oaks, he might never have to leave home to practice. He and his girlfriend, also a veterinarian, have three cats and two dogs, none with pedigrees.
``The vets, I think, just end up with the animals others don't want,'' Johnson said. ``Apache was in love with a neighbor's dog. He was a stray, and they were going to call the pound. We took him, had him neutered, and he wasn't quite as enamored, so it was fine. Cherokee was a stray as well.''
Perhaps it's because his roots are in a small town, but Johnson seems to have settled into Isle of Wight just fine. He's found it easy to communicate with the people, he said. It's a little more difficult to communicate the needs of their animals.
And if sometimes he wishes that animals could talk, that's the reason for it.
``The hardest part of this job is talking to the owners and getting them to communicate what's going on,'' Johnson said. ``They are around their pets all the time. Something that seems insignificant to them could help me with the health of the animals.''
Johnson wants to hear about the little things. It will only make his job easier.
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? A job at The Oaks Veterinary Clinic and the wide variety of activities in the area.
Birthdate/hometown? October 17, 1968, Chapin, S.C.
Marital status/children? Single, no children.
What's your fondest childhood memory? Winning the High Point Trophy at the city swim meet for scoring the most points.
Pets? Two dogs - Apache, a chow/husky mix, and Cherokee, a German shepherd/golden retriever mix
What was your first/worst job? Lifeguard, first; janitor/stockboy for department store, worst
Occupation? Veterinarian
If you had the choice, what other job would you choose? I chose to be a veterinarian. It's all I've ever wanted to do.
What is your favorite hangout? College football games
Favorite food/drink? Pizza/margarita
Favorite movies/TV shows? ``A Few Good Men,'' ``Raising Arizona''; ``Friends'' and ``Seinfeld''
Ideal vacation? Key West, Fla. - deep sea fishing, snorkeling, sunset cruises
Can't resist? A good practical joke
Few people know? That I get in bad moods. I usually keep it to myself.
What was your most embarrassing moment? I caught a foul ball at a minor league baseball game, after it bounced off a woman's head. The crowd booed me until I gave it to the woman.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? I'd buy a new car and a new boat.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? ``Say what you mean and mean what you say.'' It came from my father.
What is the best thing about yourself? I'm honest, and I stick to the advice above.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? David Letterman. He gets to make jokes all day long, and he makes a ton of money doing it.
What achievements are you most proud of? Graduating from veterinary school and from Furman University. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Veterinarian assistant Julie Arnette and Dr. Robert Johnson do a
canine checkup on Bear at The Oaks Veterinary Clinic in Smithfield.
by CNB