BluePearl Pet Hospital
Brandon, FL
Our Vets

Dr. Danielle Auzenne is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Dr. Auzenne is particularly interested in small animal surgery and behavior.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science, University of Nevada, Reno

Dr. Auzenne enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and crafting.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Barbara Avalos Cavero is particularly interested in treating gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, endocrine disorders, toxicities and feline urinary tract diseases.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Virginia Beach VA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Bachelor of Science, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan

In her spare time, Dr. Avalos Cavero enjoys exercising at the gym, salsa dancing, painting and traveling. She loves to spoil her dog, Koko Puff.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Bachelor of Science, Entrepreneurship, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

Dr. Maxie Bowen is particularly interested in treating respiratory emergencies, mechanical ventilation, toxicities and polytrauma.

• Residency, Emergency & Critical Care, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Arts, International Affairs, University of Georgia, Athens

Dr. Bowen has a mini farm with six chickens, two tortoises, one snake, three cats and four dogs. She enjoys working with rescue organizations and almost always has a foster pet in her home. In her free time, she likes being in nature, going to the beach and visiting her family.

Dr. Alyxandra Brady is part of our emergency medicine training program for clinicians. She finds critical care cases the most gratifying to treat.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa

Dr. Brady has a dog named Totem and a cat named Edgar.

A dedicated emergency clinician, Dr. Casey Braginton’s interests include urethral obstruction, diabetic ketoacidosis and toxicities. He has also worked with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA SouthPaws, Fairfax VA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg VA

When not working, Dr. Braginton enjoys reading, visiting breweries and board games. He has two cats, Frodo and Dart, and a pit bull mix named Roo.

Dr. Kylee Bush is part of our emergency medicine training program for clinicians. She is most interested in soft tissue cases, specifically lacerations, foreign body, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), orthopedics, specifically fracture stabilization, and cardiology. Dr. Bush is certified in basic and advanced life support through the Recover initiative.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
• Master of Science, Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville

Dr. Bush enjoys running to help de-stress after a long day or catching up on the latest documentary series on Netflix with her couch potato dog, Murphy.

Dr. Emma Byers is part of our emergency medicine training program for clinicians. Her particular clinical interests include ophthalmic cases, Addison’s disease, diabetic ketoacidosis and toxicities.

• Clinical Rotation, Royal Veterinary College, London, England
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Organismal Biology, Christopher Newport University, Newport News VA

Dr. Byers loves travel, yoga, reading, paddle boarding and watching football. She has two cats, Alice and Minion, and a hound mix dog.

Dr. Kaitlyn Cassel is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Dr. Cassel finds soft tissue surgery and emergency surgical procedures particularly gratifying.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Bachelor of Science, Toxicology, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, State College

Dr. Cassel enjoys spending time with her friends and family trying new restaurants around the city, keeping a house full of plants, and getting outdoors in the beautiful Florida weather.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Coyle manages a large caseload of pets with cancer, with the goal of extending their lives while providing a good quality of life.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
• Residency, Oncology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Internship, Oncology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Florida Veterinary Specialists, Tampa
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Auburn University, AL

Dr. Coyle loves her all-orange family: a golden retriever named Murphy and two cats, Aubie and Ellie. She loves college football and is an avid Auburn fan.

Dr. Cody Cragnolin is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Dr. Cragnolin’s clinical interests include diabetic ketoacidosis, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion taps.

• Clinical Rotation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

Dr. Cragnolin skydives whenever she can and has been licensed for two years. She has one cat named Mustache.

Dr. Alexa Crise is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. She is most interested in avian and exotic medicine, dermatology, neurology and soft tissue surgery.

• Clinical Rotation, The Ohio State University, Columbus
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
• Master of Science, Biology, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA
• Bachelor of Science, Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Dr. Crise enjoys playing videogames and spending time with her fiancé, friends and family.

Dr. Trysta Dionne’s clinical interests include endocrine disorders, renal disease and gastrointestinal diseases.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station

Dr. Dionne enjoys working out and going to the beach. She has a dog named Benson.

Dr. Dugger enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
• Masters of Science, University of New Hampshire, Durham
• Bachelor of Arts, Graceland University, Lamoni IA

Dr. Dugger’s hobbies include spending time with her pugs, sailing and photography.

Dr. Kristin Habegger has a background in working with wildlife and in zoological institutions and enjoys bringing her knowledge of exotic animal medicine into clinical practice. She finds triaging and managing trauma and metabolic derangement cases the most interesting to address.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
• Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens

Dr. Kristin Habegger lives with her boyfriend and their two Australian shepherds, Khali and Arya. They all enjoy spending time outdoors together or staying in and watching movies.

Dr. Dana Haimovitz is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Dr. Haimovitz’s special interests include cardiology – especially interventional procedures and congenital anomalies.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, College Park

Dr. Haimovitz has two cats (Quesadilla and Olive) and a hedgehog (Dill Prickle).

Dr. David Hoch’s special interests include transfusion medicine; metabolic disorders like diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and systemic inflammatory response syndrome DIC/SIRS; and surgery involving foreign bodies, splenectomies, gastric dilatation volvulus GDV, and C-sections.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Eckerd College, St Petersburg FL

Dr. Hoch and his family share their house with a variety of pets: dachshund Paxton, Chihuahua Lola, a Pacman frog, two pythons and three African cichlid fish tanks. An avid golfer, Dr. Hoch hopes to one day finish 18 holes using only one golf ball.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Auburn University, AL

Dr. Da’Ne Irvin is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Dr. Irvin’s professional interests include surgery, emergency medicine, and critical care.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
• Bachelor of Science, Tennessee State University, Nashville

Dr. Irvin has two dogs, Preston and Lincoln, and enjoys hanging out with friends and family, trying new food/restaurants, exploring Tampa, and going to the beach.

Dr. Megan Johnson’s particular clinical interests include feline medicine, urethral obstructions, renal failure, trauma and shock.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Tinton Falls NJ
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia PA

A diehard sports fan, Dr. Johnson’s favorite teams are the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Mets. Favorite activities include biking, running and working out on her elliptical. She and her husband have three cats: grumpy Siamese mix Caleb and two naughty orange kitties, William Alexander and JT.

Dr. Sydney Johnson is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. She enjoys treating chronic conditions such as kidney disease and GI disorders.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Bachelor of Science, Auburn University, AL

In her spare time, Dr. Johnson loves swimming in the pool or the gulf, kayaking, and reading a good book. She also enjoys hiking with her chihuahua mix, Bodie.

Dr. Tara Keaney is an emergency clinician. She is particularly interested in the role of ultrasound in an emergency setting.

• Clinical Rotation, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Stony Brook University, NY

The proud mom of rescued pup Zahra, Dr. Keaney is a fitness advocate and enjoys travel and going to the beach.

• Internship, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Clearwater, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Findlay, OH

Dr. King enjoys exploring each new city she calls home with her two pups, Harley and Autumn.

Dr. Kate Kingsley is a small animal medicine & surgery intern.

• Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, England
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station

Dr. Alexandria LoPrinzi is part of our emergency medicine training program for clinicians. She finds trauma cases and autoimmune diseases, such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and diabetes presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the most gratifying to treat.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
• Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Asbury University, Wilmore, KY

Dr. LoPrinzi enjoys hiking, kayaking, playing sports, especially tennis, board games and watching movies. She is quite fond of her three family dogs, all of which are English setters.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Rachel Lucas is most interested in exotic and wildlife emergencies and gastrointestinal diseases.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Marine Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville

Dr. Lucas enjoys spending time with her husband and their foster-failure feline, Aslan, and serving their church and the Tampa Bay community.

Dr. Cassandra Mancari is part of our emergency medicine training program for clinicians. She finds helping animals in respiratory distress, treating feline urinary obstructions and repairing lacerations particularly gratifying.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

Dr. Mancari and her fiancé have two cats who they enjoy spoiling to no end. She enjoys being outside (hiking, walking and beach trips), working out (Pilates and Yoga) and lazy mornings playing video games with her cats.

Dr. Kasandra Miner is a small animal medicine & surgery intern. Her clinical interests include emergency and critical care medicine.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing

Dr. Miner enjoys going running and cuddling with her Siamese cat.

An experienced clinician, Dr. Thao Nguyen finds emergency medicine especially gratifying. Her particular areas of interest are toxicology, wound care and treating trauma cases.

• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
• Bachelor of Science, Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville

In her free time, Dr. Nguyen enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors and rock climbing. She has two dogs: Rua (her “Irish souvenir” from living in Dublin) and Archie (a mutt who is half-amazing and half-terrific).

Dr. Elena Pfisterer is a resident in our surgery service. Dr. Pfisterer’s professional interests include complex fracture repair, angular limb deformities, total hip replacements, and thoracic surgery.

• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Carolina Veterinary Specialists, Charlotte, NC
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Nashville Veterinary Specialists, TN
• Clinical Rotation, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

Dr. Pfisterer has a fiancé who is also a veterinarian, and two cats at the head of the household: Fetty and Savannah.

Dr. Tessa Phillips’ particular clinical interests include all soft tissue procedures, minimally invasive techniques (arthroscopy/laparoscopy) and wound and skin reconstruction.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons-Small Animal
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Specialty Centre, Buffalo Grove, IL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Southfield, MI
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dr. Phillips’ hobbies include cycling, hiking, traveling, motorcycles and playing guitar.

Dr. Lindsey Ramirez is an intern in our surgery service. She has a passion for zoological medicine and scientific research, and she has contributed to the field of veterinary education by assisting in the development and construction of veterinary teaching models utilized at her university.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Clearwater, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN
• Master of Science, Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
• Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, Texas State University, San Marcos

Dr. Ramirez enjoys outdoor jeep adventures, gardening, crafty DIY projects and spending time with her partner, their Weimaraner named Emmett and two cats, Moose and Ducky.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Jessica Rhodes is most interested in endocrinology and emergency medicine.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, England
• Bachelor of Science, Zoology and Biomedical Sciences, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
• Associate of Arts, Fulton Montgomery Community College, Johnstown, NY

Dr. Rhodes shares her home with reef tanks, dart frogs, and a ball python. In her free time, she enjoys diving.

Publications & Articles

Melissa cites the wide range – and often unexpected nature – of cases in emergency and critical care as the best part of her work. “I find it extremely exciting, not knowing what is going to walk through the door,” she says.

Dr. Nicole Tomasso’s special interests include foreign body removal as well as treating diabetic ketoacidosis (especially in cats), soft tissue injuries and fractures.

• Clinical Rotation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Dr. Tomasso enjoys walking outside on trails, playing tennis, eating sushi and visiting her family for Sunday dinners. She has two cats: one named Manny, who was adopted in St. Kitts during her time at veterinary school, and one named Dominik, who was adopted in Indiana during her clinical rotation.

Dr. Jessica Weeks’ special interests include trauma, sepsis, blood transfusions and mechanical ventilation.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
• Residency, Emergency & Critical Care, BluePearl Specialty & Emergency Pet Hospitals, Tampa FL
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Valley Animal Hospital, Tucson AZ
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis

Dr. Weeks enjoys time with her husband, ornery cats and her one-eyed dog.

Dr. Robert Weeren has been a surgeon in a specialty hospital setting for over 20 years and was the chief of surgery for the majority of that time. He is skilled in all aspects of the field to include orthopedic, thoracic, soft tissue and reconstructive surgery.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Master of Science, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus
• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington D.C.
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL

Married with two daughters, Dr. Weeren loves traveling with his family. He’s also an avid SCUBA diver and instructor and a saltwater fishing fanatic. The family has three French bulldogs, Dexter, Fiona and Bridgette, and a cat named Sophia.

Karen enjoys interventional procedures to correct defects that cause congenital heart diseases. She also enjoys helping patients with acquired heart disease live longer and more comfortably. Her family includes a pug, Chihuahua and four cats, and she loves traveling and watching her son play baseball.

Dr. Jessica Williams is an intern in our surgery service. She is most interested in total hip replacements, soft tissue procedures and orthopedic surgeries, especially complex fracture repairs that require some extra imagination or patience. It is rewarding to her to see all the “pieces of the puzzle” come together.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Auburn University, AL

Dr. Williams enjoys painting and relaxing with friends and family. She has a mini-Australian shepherd named Rue.