Book Signing at Robek's: Sales To Benefit No-Kill Shelter

Animal lovers will have a chance to meet the authors of a new book while helping a local animal charity when Robek's Fruit Smoothies & Healthy Eats, 1044 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, hosts a book signing Saturday, Jan. 26 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Four veterinarians, all classmates at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, have collaborated on An Animal Life: The Beginning, a novel inspired by their real-life experiences in veterinary school.

Patricia Hogan of New Jersey, Howard Krum of Vermont, Scott Moore of Virginia and Roy Yanong, who lives in Brandon, wrote and illustrated the book they describe as a "scientific medical mystery (animals and people are dying) and a quest for true love (with a real cowboy) that unfolds as newbie first-year students struggle to survive the academic gauntlet of veterinary school."

After forging a friendship based on their shared love of animals, the fours vets graduated in 1992 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Hogan is now the owner of an equine hospital. Krum is an aquatic animal veterinarian and science writer. Moore is a small animal emergency vet. And Yanong works at the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book go to the animal charity of the host's choice. Student American Veterinary Medical Association Chapters, animal shelters and working guide dog programs have been among the beneficiaries of book sales.

Robek's owner Michael Fried has chosen CARE, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter for abused and abandoned cats and dogs in Ruskin, as his charity of choice. On Saturday, the authors will donate $5 from the sale of each book to CARE.

Those interested also can order signed books for charity auctions, gift baskets and raffles by visiting the Web site. Signed copies cost $17.95.

For information, call Robek's at 813-653-4300.