Nurses, Technicians & Assistants
Evelyn, Veterinary Assistant, Team Lead
Certified Veterinary Assistant Evelyn joined the team at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital in 2013. Evelyn is responsible for monitoring patients while they're under anesthesia, administering medications, assisting during examinations, and assisting our veterinarians whenever needed.
"We work as a family/team, it's a well-oiled machine," she says. "Sometimes there are no words exchanged, but we know what each other needs."
A sports fan, Evelyn spends her spare time playing softball, biking, or watching games on television. She has a 13-year-old Poodle named Sierra.
Ashley, CVT, CCRT, Lead Rehabilitation Technician
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Nurse Ashley joined our team in May of 2012. With Associate's degrees in both Veterinary Technology and Sports Medicine, she has a passion for pet rehabilitation and serves as a rehabilitation technician.
"I also enjoy seeing new procedures and learning about new pets, diseases, and surgeries," she says. "We are all always learning something exciting and new! We are inspired to find our passion in our field and encouraged to become specialized, boarded, certified, licensed, or registered to make Aloha an even more exceptional hospital for our clients."
Ashley is a consultant for Bayer's Animal Sciences department and a former Paw Pals and VITAS Hospice evaluator. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her children and family, bake, trail ride with ATVs, shoot at the range for sport, run, and stay fit. Her pet family includes two dogs, a Doberman named Boss and a Chow mix named Lobo, and three cats named Cori, Oliver and Eva.
Colleen, CVT, Lead Patient Care Coordinator
Colleen is a night certified veterinary technician at Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital. She's responsible for treating, monitoring and being there for patients overnight. Colleen enjoys getting to spend extra time with the animals to make them feel comfortable. She holds an associate's degree in veterinary technology from Eastern Florida State College. Colleen joined our hospital in January 2016.
She says, "The entire staff at Aloha is amazing, especially the doctors. They are here around the clock and truly care about every patient no matter the situation."
At home, Colleen has a 1-year-old tabby cat named Paisley. She enjoys reading, painting, traveling and going to Disney.
Britney, Veterinary Technician
Britney joined the team at Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital in January 2016. As a Veterinary Technician, she is responsible for running diagnostics, blood work, monitoring patients during surgery, and treating and nursing hospitalized patients. Britney holds an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Science degree, and a certification from an accredited veterinary technician program. Her favorite part of working in the animal-care field is cytology.
“Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital does everything they can for their clients and patients,” Britney says. “They go above and beyond to ensure the best customer service and they truly love what they do at this hospital.”
At home, Britney has a 5-year-old beagle/hound mix named Rusty that she adopted from a nearby animal shelter. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, spending time at the beach, going out on her boat and fishing.
Mark, Veterinary Assistant
Certified Veterinary Assistant Mark started at Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital in July 2016. He has been working in the animal care field for over five years. Mark's job responsibilities include helping doctors to make sure they have everything they need and taking care of the hospital's clients and pets. His favorite part of his job is interacting with people and helping their pets. Mark's wonderful and witty sense of humor, along with his big heart for anything with fur or feathers or scales, helps makes clients and patients happy.
Mark earned his associate's degree from Eastern Florida State College. He's currently working on his Certified Veterinary Technician certificate from St. Petersburg College. Mark says, "I love the amount of exotic pets that come here. Everyone has everyone's back here and we help one another. It's a great work environment."
At home, Mark has a 5-year-old Scottish terrier named Barney, an 8-year-old toy poodle named Laura, and a 2-year-old cat named Tony Stark. He spends his free time restoring classic cars, riding his Harley, reading comic books and playing video games.
Shelley, Team Lead
Shelley works at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital as a full-time Team Lead. She is responsible for patient care, drawing blood, getting medical history, running lab work, taking x-rays, CTs, and educating pet owners. Before working with us, Shelley also worked at an open play, cage free boarding and training facility. She also has a BS in Biomedicine.
As Team Lead, Shelley thrives in a fast-paced environment. At home, Shelley is a pet parent to her 13-year-old Pomeranian named Toby, a 7-year-old small mix named Moose, a 4-year-old golden retriever named Fisher, and 2 male 4-year-old chameleons. In her free time, Shelley likes to work out, stay active, go fishing, go to the beach, craft, and plan events.
Waldemar, Veterinary Technician, Lead Surgical Technician
Lead Surgical Technician Waldemar is responsible for ensuring that the animals entering Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital receive the best care and attention possible. The part of his job that Waldemar enjoys best is taking good care of animals and aiding in their recovery. He offers a unique knowledge and attitude to Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital, bringing an open-minded approach to learning new practices in the veterinary field.
Waldemar possesses an Associate degree in Veterinary Technician. He also holds a veterinary technician certificate, and is happy to be able to practice his knowledge in the great state of Florida.
Bobby, CVT
Bobby joined the Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital team as a full-time Certified Veterinary Technician in June of 2018. Two unique attributes that Bobby brings to Aloha and its clients is his lightheartedness and his experiences in emergency veterinary services. Some of Bobby’s responsibilities include taking care of our patients, monitoring anesthesia, assisting with exam room visits, obtaining patient vitals, preparing medications, and answering phones. The aspect of his job that Bobby finds most pleasurable is being able to assist in surgery and administering anesthesia protocol.
“I like the fact that we try to help everyone that walks through our doors,” Bobby says. “I love the amount of birds and other exotics that we get to see, and I also enjoy working with such a well-rounded staff. Everyone works great together!”
Bobby owns a Siamese cat named Calypso, a Calico cat named Mac, and a Brazilian Rainbow Boa named Iris. One of his earliest veterinary interests growing up involved breeding exotic reptiles. In his spare time Bobby can be found fishing, fishing, and doing some more fishing! It’s one of his favorite ways to pass the time.
Jessica C., CVT
Jessica is proud to serve the patients at the Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital! She loves being a veterinary technician because it allows her to help the health and wellness of animals in our area. Her responsibilities include patient care, anesthesia monitoring, administering medications and vaccines, phlebotomy, placing IVs and catheters, and performing diagnostics. Her favorite part of the job is helping patients heal and making their experience as comfortable as possible.
Two unique attributes that she brings to the job are her patience and compassion. She is also level 3 certified in fear free training, because she understands that we have to take care of our patients bodies and minds. Jessica knows that emotional well-being is just as important as physical well-being. Compassionate team members like Jessica are exactly what makes Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital such a wonderful care facility for both patients and staff.
Jessica has an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Pima Medical Institute of Colorado. She loves helping her patients every day and making sure they get the best quality care! We are so lucky to have her on our team!
Rebecca, CVT, Lead Dental Technician
Veterinary Technician, Rebecca, joined the Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital team in July of 2019. In this role, she is responsible for treating hospitalized patients, monitoring surgery and performing diagnostics. While working, she most enjoys her time spent one-on-one with patients monitoring their treatments and helping them improve. She holds and Associate's Degree from St. Petersburg college in Veterinary Technology and brings an eagerness to learn to her position.
At home, Rebecca has four dogs: Mack, an Old English Bulldog, Pynkie & Trixie, Chihuahuas, and Mikasa, a Beagle.
Norah, CVT
Norah has been a full-time CVT with our team at Aloha since August of 2021. Prior to her role here, she has five years of experience working at a doggie daycare and boarding facility in 2017 and then as an LVT in a small animal practice. With a Veterinary Science Technology AS degree from the State University of New York at Delhi, Norah uses her robust experience to make sure hospitalized patients are as comfortable as possible.
Asked why she loves working with Aloha, Norah says, “[I like] getting to work with a huge variety of patients and cases. Everyone’s top priority is helping the patients in need, no matter the situation.”
Norah has one cat and a dog named Frannie and Phoebe. When she’s not working, she loves crafts, photography, and writing.
Sarah, Veterinary Assistant
Sarah loves helping to achieve the best possible support for your pets. With a degree in criminology and biology from Florida State University Sarah is attentive to detail and works incredibly hard. With over four years in the industry Sarah has multiple pets of her own, including several snakes, and a pet rat.
“I like working in Aloha’s positive and motivating work environment, the team is super supporting. I also enjoy the hybrid setting of the practice. I am excited to learn about exotic pet medicine as well.”
Sarah spends her free time painting, going to the gym, drawing, and spending time outdoors. She enjoys going on adventures, hiking, going to the beach, fishing, and vising the zoo and aquariums.
Jessica L., LVT
As a full-time veterinary technician with us since March of 2022, Jessica utilizes her robust skill set in order to monitor and treat recovering patients, take radiographs, phlebotomy, and more. Jessica is known for her friendliness and finds it rewarding to bond with patients, help them heal, and earn their trust. With a B.S. in Biology, she’s also working on a Penn Foster grooming program.
Jessica loves the high-tech, clean environment of Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital. She also appreciates the fact that the staff are kind to each other and help one another out throughout the day.
She has two standard poodles, one small breed mutt, two cats, one fish, as well as a skink and a snake. When she’s not working, Jessica loves playing with her pets, playing the guitar and uke, singing, video games, and enjoying the outdoors.
Francisco, Veterinary Assistant
Francisco brings a wealth of experience from his background as a wildlife veterinarian in Chile. He has spent years working on scientific projects involving marine animals, with a special focus on pinnipeds and mustelids. Among his favorites are fur seals, sea lions, and marine otters.
Francisco made the decision to work at Aloha Vet Clinic to gain insight into the practice of veterinary medicine in the United States. His ultimate goal is to become a licensed veterinarian and work with as many different animals as possible!
"Working with animals is my passion, and nature is my home," says Francisco. He can often be found spending hours photographing or filming animals, especially those he has never encountered before.
A talented creator of graphic and audiovisual content, Francisco enjoys educating others about science, ecology, and animal welfare. As a valued member of the Aloha team, his enthusiasm for learning and dedication to animal care makes him a crucial addition to our clinic.
In his free time, Francisco loves to explore the great outdoors and document his encounters with wildlife through photography and film.
Patrick, Veterinary Assistant
Since February of 2023 when he joined us, Patrick will greet you with a smile when you enter Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital! He treats all our clients with compassion and respect and is incredible at multitasking as he checks clients in and out, takes phone calls, fields emails/faxes, and fills prescriptions. He has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Florida and, as of May 2023, is enrolled in the Vet Tech program at St. Petersburg College.
Patrick enjoys working with our team because “the doctors, staff and clients of this hospital are all so nice, patient and understanding.”
He has two dogs – a seven-year-old Dachshund named Jake and a nine-year-old Yorkie named Toby. He also has two cats named Sophie and Muffin, one-year-old and two-years-old.
In his free time, he loves going to Disney, giving back to the community by volunteering for animals, reading, and gardening.
Diana, Veterinary Assistant
Known for her high energy and willingness to learn and aid the team, Diana began as a Veterinary Assistant with us in March of 2023. Her responsibilities include checking vital signs, ensuring that our patients are fed and watered, helping technicians and doctors, and holding animals so that they are comfortable and the doctors and technicians are safe during treatment. Diana has a Veterinary Degree in Ecuador from UDLA.
She enjoys taking the vital signs of critically ill patients and keeping an eye on their evolution from the time they arrive to the time they leave. It makes her very happy to see how they have improved!
“The teamwork is amazing, everyone here helps each other and always puts the welfare of the animals first. I would like to learn and have the ability that everyone here has, including the ability and speed to act in any emergency. I like how everyone is open to teaching and learning.”
Diana has one 10-year-old Beagle. In her free time, she loves cycling and walking with her dog. She spends as much time as she can with her older dog so that he knows that she’s there for him.
Charnay, Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Melody, Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistant Melody's primary passion in life is her love for animals. She has been a devoted member of our team since joining the staff at Aloha in September of 1994. Some of her responsibilities at our animal hospital include performing diagnostic tests on blood work, taking X-rays, monitoring post-surgery patients, reviewing home care prior to discharge, and equipment sterilization. Melody finds all aspects of her position equally gratifying and has a special interest in cytology.
"I am very proud to work with Aloha in that we do not turn any people away, especially those in need," she says. "It is that sincere compassion that best represents who we are."
Melody donates to various animal foundations and homes and adopts kittens when she can. Melody spends as much time as she can with her grandchildren, and even recently acquired two hermit crabs for them named Cupcake and Spidey. At home Melody has two rescued pets of her own: a six-year-old mixed breed dog named Snickers and a cat named Maui. In her free time Melody enjoys working in the garden and her kitchen.
Emily, Veterinary Assistant
Joining our team in November of 2023, Emily is known for her excellent attitude and her strong love for animals. She began as a Veterinary Assistant in Arcata, California and has an associate degree in science exploration. Her duties include patient care, taking histories and vital signs, animal restraint, and assisting the doctors. Her favorite part of the job is animal restraint because she gets to hold all kinds of animals.
“I love the fast-paced environment [of Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital]. I love my co-workers and the doctors that I work with. I love doing and learning something new every day and being around animals all day long.”
Emily has six dogs: Rusty, Brynn, Kahlua, Hennessy, Khora, and Freya. She also has five cats named Machiel, Lyra, Jett, Tofu, and Gator. Not to be forgotten, she also has a tortoise named Timothy and four turtles!
In her free time, Emily loves fishing, swimming, going to the beach, horseback riding, boating, and doing anything with her dogs.
Jennifer, Veterinary Assistant
With 12 years of extensive experience as an overnight animal ER tech, Jennifer provides patients with the best of care as she administers medication, IVs, bloodwork, and much more.
Asked why Jennifer enjoys working with us, she states, “I enjoy critical care. I learn something new daily. Highly state of the art facility. Huge compassion. Organized and very clean! Awesome staff and doctors.”
When she’s not working, you can find Jennifer spending time with her daughter and son, going to church, fishing, kayaking, arts and crafts, and reading.
Caileen L., Veterinary Assistant
Caileen is our full-time Veterinary Assistant at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital. By assisting our professionals in every way possible, she makes your pet’s visit as pleasant and simple as possible. She loves greeting all the clients and patients that walk in, and her love for animals makes every day an amazing day!
“I learn something new every day [at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital],” Caileen shares, “and my coworkers are always happy to help.
At home, Caileen has three dogs (Gus, Dennis, and Lemon) and a cat named Daisy. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and fishing.
Ashley Q., Veterinary Technician
Ashley is our full-time Veterinary Technician at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital. She joined our team in May 2024 and has been working in the animal care field for over three years. She graduated in 2022 at City College with an Applied Science of Veterinary Technology. Ashley is proud of being the voice for our clients, bringing her understanding, compassion, and love to each pet that comes through our doors.
Before joining our team, Ashley had been working at other hospitals as a Veterinary Assistant and Veterinary Technician. Now, by working with us at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital, she is excited for this "new adventure filled with great opportunities."
At home, Ashley has two dogs - an 8-year-old Bloodhound named Oliver, and a four-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Milo. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and kids, being near the water, gardening, and creating art.
Heather C., Veterinary Assistant
Heather joined our team as a veterinary assistant on July 5, 2024. In her role, Heather is integral to our operations, assisting veterinarians in the exam rooms, preparing detailed estimates, and facilitating patient discharges. Her passion for veterinary care shines through in her work, particularly in her commitment to helping pets return to their happy and healthy selves. Heather is always eager to expand her knowledge and skills, embracing every opportunity to learn and grow in her field.
Before coming to us, Heather gained valuable experience working at a doggy daycare in Erie, PA. This background has equipped her with a deep understanding of pet care and a genuine compassion for animals. At home, Heather is a devoted pet owner herself, sharing her life with Licorice, a 16-year-old black cat, and Foxy, a lively 5-month-old Akita.
Heather finds great fulfillment in working with us because she values the chance to support families through the ups and downs of pet ownership. She appreciates being part of a team that plays a crucial role in enhancing the bond between pets and their families.
In her free time, Heather enjoys coaching her nephew's basketball team, a role she finds both rewarding and fun. She also loves visiting theme parks whenever she gets the chance, indulging in her passion for adventure and excitement.
Samantha, Veterinary Assistant
Samantha joined Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital in June 2024 as our full-time Veterinary Assistant. Her positive attitude and hard-working capabilities make her a strong member of our team. She loves advocating for the patients that come in, ensuring they leave healthy and happy. Her professional history in the animal related field includes being a receptionist coordinator and a veterinary assistant at another clinic.
At home, she has three pets: Merlin, a 17-year-old domestic shorthair black cat; Blaze, a 5-year-old domestic shorthair orange cat; and Sly, a 9-year-old Catahoula Greyhound mix. In her free time, Samantha enjoys country/west coast swing dancing, swimming, hiking, and building Legos and puzzles.
Natalie W., Veterinary Assistant
Natalie is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant who joined our team full-time on August 16, 2024. With over two years of experience in the animal care field, Natalie has previously worked in grooming, kennel care, and as a veterinary technician assistant. Her diverse background equips her with the skills needed to provide exceptional care and support to both our patients and clients.
In her current role, Natalie is responsible for ensuring that exam rooms are fully stocked, greeting patients and their owners, and maintaining a clean and welcoming environment. She brings a unique blend of personality and hospitality to our clinic, making sure that every visit is as comfortable as possible.
Natalie’s favorite part of her job is working closely with animals and helping them feel at ease during their visits. She thrives in our healthy and welcoming work environment, which she finds both supportive and motivating.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Phoebe, a 10-year-old Chihuahua, and Zoe, a 2-year-old Presa Canario. She also loves hanging out with friends, going to concerts, swimming, and staying active. Natalie’s passion for animals and her commitment to excellent care make her an invaluable member of our team.
Jacob T., Veterinary Assistant
Jacob is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. With over six years of experience in the animal care field, Jacob has honed his skills across various roles, including kennel assistant, surgical assistant, and dental assistant. He joined our team full-time in 2024, bringing his extensive knowledge and passion for animal care to every aspect of his work.
Throughout his career, Jacob has developed a strong interest in surgical and dental procedures, where he has played a crucial role in assisting with complex cases. His hands-on experience in these areas has given him a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in veterinary medicine, making him an invaluable asset during surgeries and dental treatments.
Jacob's love for animals extends beyond the clinic. He shares his life with Ender, his 3-year-old Black German Shepherd, and enjoys spending his free time working out, playing baseball, working on cars, and hiking with Ender. His diverse experience and unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals make him a valued and respected member of our veterinary team.
Cheyenne, Veterinary Assistant
Cheyenne joined our team at Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital as a full-time Veterinary Assistant on August 26th, 2024. With six years of experience in various animal care roles, Cheyenne brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her position. Her primary responsibility is taking care of hospitalized patients overnight, ensuring they receive the best care and attention around the clock.
Cheyenne’s favorite part of her job is assisting with surgeries and witnessing the joy of seeing healthy patients go home. She brings a unique sense of faith and dedication to the clinic, believing in always putting the patient's needs first. Before joining Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital, Cheyenne gained valuable experience in a variety of roles. She worked as an ER vet tech from March 2022 to August 2023, where she honed her skills in emergency care, followed by a role as a client care coordinator. Additionally, she served as a veterinary receptionist from July 2018 to March 2022, giving her a well-rounded perspective on both front-line and clinical care. Cheyenne loves working at Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital because of its culture of always saying "yes" and prioritizing patient care above all else. She admires the compassion that fills the air at Aloha and is grateful to be part of such a supportive team.
At home, Cheyenne shares her life with her beloved pets: Wrangler, a 2-year-old female Plott Hound mix, and Levi, a 1.5-year-old male hamster. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working on vehicles, watching the sunrise and sunset, and taking walks on the beach with her dog and boyfriend. Cheyenne's dedication, experience, and love for animals make her a valuable member of the Aloha Pet and Bird Hospital team.
Gabby, Team Lead
As a full time member of our staff since November of 2017, Gabby has proven herself to be a valuable asset to Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital. Gabby originally joined our team as a Receptionist, but she has worked her way up to a Certified Veterinary Assistant. Some of Gabby’s responsibilities include taking care of our patients, monitoring anesthesia, assisting with exam room visits, obtaining patient vitals, preparing medications, and answering phones. Greeting our clients and their pets to make them feel as comfortable as possible, especially in stressful situations, is what Gabby enjoys most about her position here at Aloha Pet & Bird HospitalEach day Gabby brings a positive attitude with a unique sense of humor to work, making her a joy to be around.
“Even if you have a bad day, it’s really not that bad when you work at a place that does everything they can to save lives,” Gabby says. “I feel like not many places go above and beyond for their clients, staff, and patients. I’m lucky to be working at one of the few that do.”
In addition to being a CVA, Gabby is also a Certified Medical Assistant, and loves having a profession involving animals. At home, she has two dogs, Costa, a lab, and Hank, a German Shorthaired Pointer. In her downtime, Gabby enjoys going fishing, kayaking, scalloping, and anything else involving the water.
Hailey, Veterinary Assistant
Hailey is our full-time Veterinary Assistant at Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital. Her primary responsibilities include reception, where she assists our clients and patients coming in to prepare for their visit, as well as answering questions and concerns from those who contact via phone or email.
At home, Hailey has two dogs and two cats. The two Boston terriers are Charlie and Lucy; Charlie is brown and white, whereas Lucy is black and white. Her two cats are Marley, a grey and white short-haired cat, and Milo, a long-haired black cat.
During her free time, Hailey enjoys spending time with her friends, playing volleyball with her family, painting, gardening, and kayaking.