Sam, a cocker spaniel and a member of Josh Cruse's family is thankful for his vet, Dr. E. R. Van De Grift III Dr. E.R. Van De Grift III is a third generation veterinarian from Columbia. His grandfather became a veterinarian in Anderson in 1911; his father moved the practice to Columbia in 1937, the same business that Dr. Van De Grift III still runs today.

Van De Grift has been a veterinarian since 1965. However, if it had been up to his parents, he wouldn't have followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. "My mother and father wanted me to be an M.D. I had to put myself through vet school," Van De Grift said.

It was his father's joy and passion that influenced Van De Grift's decision to become a vet. Van De Grift took classes at the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and the University of Georgia become a veterinarian. He also was an apprentice in North Carolina for a year before returning to Columbia to work with his father.

Van De Grift has seen several changes in veterinary medicine. "For many years there were no specialty referral clinics. You had to treat whatever illness the animal had or it wouldn't get treated. Now there are referral clinics and emergency clinics," said Van De Grift. "The hardest part is the hours. I had to work 60 hours a week for a long time. The biggest challenge is giving the best of care at an affordable cost."

Van De Grift has had to perform usual medical procedures on some animals such as root canals and cataracts. He even performed a transplant to replace tear ducts in an animal's eyes.

Van De Grift also works with animal rescue organizations. When Sam, a cocker spaniel, was brought to him, both of his back legs were broken, and he had a smashed pelvis. Van De Grift refused to put Sam to sleep. With Van De Grift's help, Sam now lives a normal life with loving owners.

Van De Grift spent seven years as the veterinarian at River Banks Zoo. While serving, he solicited the services of local doctors and dentists who helped with root canals, cataracts, and any other treatments that were necessary to keep the animals healthy.

Dr. Van De Grift continues to offer his services as a veterinarian in Columbia; he also offers grooming and boarding services.