Veterinarian Overview
Dr. Bill Bystrom received his Bachelors of Science degree as a Zoology major from the University of Nebraska in 1975. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1979 from the University of Missouri. From 1979 to 1984 he worked as an associate veterinarian for the Animal Medical Hospital and the Animal Emergency Hospital in St. Petersburg. Dr. Bystrom started the Palma Sola Animal Clinic in March of 1984. Dr. Bystrom is a member of The American Animal Hospital Association, The American Veterinary Medical Association, The Florida Veterinary Medical Association, The Southwest Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the Manatee County Veterinary Medical Association. He is also a member of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Bystrom bought the Island Animal Clinic from the retiring Henry A. Stevens, DVM in August 1989 and relocated the practice to its present location in Holmes Beach. Dr. Bystrom is happily married to Jeannie Holmes Bystrom who was born and raised in Holmes Beach. He is also the father of three boys; Logan, a firefighter/fishing guide, Connor, a college student pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Trevor, a college student and musician. Dr. Bystrom developed many lasting friendships over the years with clients and staff members. He finds it especially sad to put to sleep a beloved pet that has been trusted to his care for the past 16 or 17 years, then overly gratifying when that same client comes in a few days later with a new puppy, kitten or rescue animal ready to start all over again. Dr. Bystrom served on the Board of Directors for the Island Community Center for six years and the Anna Maria Island Little League for 11 years. He coached Island kids in baseball, soccer, and basketball for 17 years. It is gratifying for him to see some of these kids walk through the clinic doors as young adults, responsible pet owners, and citizens of the community. Over the past 20 years he has worked with the Southeast Guide Dog organization mostly in reproduction and neonatal departments. He is especially proud of the fact that he has been responsible for putting hundreds of guide dog puppies on the ground ready to be trained to be seeing-eye dogs. It has been his pleasure to serve the Bradenton and Island communities for the past 25 years and he is looking forward to many more.
