Our Veterinary Team
Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch takes pride in the care and compassion that our team provides to our clients and patients each and every day.
Dr. Kristen Henry | Medical Director
Dr. Kristen Henry is a dedicated small animal veterinarian specializing in the care of dogs, cats, and occasional pocket pets. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2013, completing her clinical training at Louisiana State University. With a passion for both medicine and leadership, Kristen has previously served as an Area Chief of Staff, where she discovered her enthusiasm for hospital management and team development.
Originally from Carmel, California, Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science from Westmont College. Before pursuing veterinary medicine, she was a competitive tennis player for 11 years. In 2017, she relocated to Florida with her husband, and three years later, they welcomed their daughter. Outside of veterinary medicine, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, drawing pet portraits, reading, cooking, scuba diving, and tackling DIY home projects with her husband. She is also an active volunteer in her church’s children’s ministry, where she enjoys giving back to her community.
Dr. Madison Wilson | Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Madison Wilson is a passionate small animal veterinarian primarily seeing dogs and cats, but has a soft spot for the scaly pocket pets. She graduated with her Bachelor's in Science from the University of South Florida in 2016. From there she went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from St. George's School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021, completing her clinical year at the University of Georgia. She has been practicing for 4 years, has served as lead veterinarian, and has a heart for general practice medicine and building relationships that matter.
Dr. Wilson and her husband moved to the Sarasota area in 2021, and have since grown their family to include one wild chocolate lab rescue, and two mischievous cats. She enjoys coffee, sewing, music and dancing of all kinds, movie marathons, hiking, and traveling to sports games and airshows with her husband.
Dr. Patricia Kyle | Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Patricia Kyle is a small animal veterinarian with a primary focus on the care and treatment of cats and dogs. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University before pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her clinical training at Texas A&M University and graduated in 2013.
In 2017, Dr. Kyle relocated to Florida with her husband and daughter to be closer to family. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys gardening, baking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. She also shares her home with a Silver Bengal cat named Sisu.
Shane VanMeter | Practice Manager
Shane VanMeter serves as the Practice Manager at Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch, bringing over six years of experience in veterinary leadership and operations, along with more than 20 years in the veterinary field. He is passionate about creating a positive, supportive environment where team members feel empowered and clients receive exceptional, consistent care.
Outside of the hospital, Shane prioritizes self-care and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle. He enjoys staying active, spending time at the beach, and building meaningful connections with others. He is also a proud dog owner—his dog, Darla, loves trips to the park, meeting new friends, and coming to work with Shane every day.
Maddie St. Esprit | Client Service Representative
Born and raised on the sunny shores of Bradenton Beach, Maddie brings a warm personality and positive energy to every interaction. She began her career in veterinary medicine in 2019 and has developed a strong passion for helping pets and the people who love them. Her experience and dedication allow her to provide compassionate support and exceptional service to clients while helping ensure their pets receive the best possible care.
Outside of the hospital, Maddie enjoys expressing her creativity through various forms of art and loves anything colorful and imaginative. She also enjoys playing tabletop games with friends, watching movies with her dad, and spending quality time with her husband and their beloved cats. Maddie's friendly nature, creativity, and commitment to helping others make her a valued member of the Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch team.
JuWanna (Jo) Dennis | Client Service Representative
JuWanna began her career in veterinary medicine in 2019 as a Customer Service Representative after spending seven years working as a Pharmacy Technician. Growing up on a farm in the Midwest, her passion for animals started at a very young age. Along with dogs, cats, and rabbits, she helped care for cows, horses, pigs, goats, ducks, and chickens. Her love of animals was further fueled by her lifelong enjoyment of horseback riding, which began when she was just a toddler.
At Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch, JuWanna enjoys building relationships with clients and helping ensure their pets receive the compassionate care they deserve. Her background in both healthcare and animal care allows her to provide exceptional support to clients and the veterinary team alike.
Outside of work, JuWanna loves spending time with her two adult children and her two granddaughters. In her free time, you can often find her attending dance recitals, shark tooth hunting along Florida’s beaches, or working in her yard with her loyal Blue Heeler, Isla, by her side.
Jennifer Sapp | Client Service Representative
Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, Jennifer grew up just a short bike ride from the world-famous shores of Siesta Key Beach. Her lifelong love for animals and nature has been a constant throughout her life.
After a successful 40-year career in the telecommunications industry, Jennifer decided to pursue her passion for working with animals and joined Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch in May 2025. As a Customer Service Representative, she enjoys welcoming clients and their pets, helping create a warm and positive experience from the moment they walk through the door. Jennifer takes pride in building trusting relationships with clients, providing exceptional service, and supporting her team in a fast-paced veterinary environment. She also assists with boarding and kennel care, helping ensure that every pet receives compassionate attention, comfort, and safety during their stay.
At home, Jennifer shares her life with her two beloved dogs, Maddie and Lilly, who inspire her love of animal care every day. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and exploring nature. Whether she's spotting local wildlife, tending to her collection of succulents, listening to audiobooks, or relaxing with a great movie, documentary, or favorite television series, Jennifer appreciates opportunities to learn, grow, and enjoy the world around her.
Nilsa | Lead Veterinary Technician
Nilsa has been a dedicated veterinary professional since 2016. She earned her Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology from the University of Turabo, Ponce Campus in Puerto Rico and has gained experience across a variety of veterinary settings, including general practice, farm animal medicine, food animal medicine, and zoo medicine.
As Lead Veterinary Technician at Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch, Nilsa is passionate about providing exceptional patient care while supporting and mentoring fellow team members. Her diverse background and commitment to veterinary excellence help ensure every patient receives compassionate, high-quality care.
Outside of the hospital, Nilsa is a proud pet parent to four beloved "fur babies": Brandy, a Maltese; Ed, a French Bulldog named after the character from The Lion King; KeeKee, a domestic short-haired cat. She is an avid reader, self-proclaimed nerd, and enthusiastic gamer who enjoys board games, video games, and caring for her growing collection of plants.
Nilsa's dedication to animals, love of learning, and positive energy make her an invaluable member of the Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch team.
Erica Cassidy | Veterinary Technician
Erica has been in the veterinary field for over six years, beginning her career in the kennel and working her way up to become an exceptional veterinary technician. Her hands-on experience and dedication to quality animal care are evident in everything she does.
She joined our team in November 2024 and quickly became a valued member of our veterinary team. Erica is known for her technical expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment to both pet care and client support.
Maddy | Veterinary Technician
Maddy has been a part of the veterinary field for over five years, beginning her career in reception before advancing into her role as a veterinary technician. Her journey reflects a strong commitment to growth, patient care, and supporting both clients and her team.
Since joining Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch in August 2024, Maddy has become a valued member of the team. She is currently continuing to expand her knowledge and clinical skills through technician school, demonstrating her dedication to providing high-quality care to every patient she works with.
Maddy enjoys building relationships with clients and ensuring their pets feel comfortable and well cared for during every visit.
Serena Tovar | Veterinary Assistant II
With four years of experience in the veterinary field, Serena is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient she meets. She is passionate about animal health and well-being and takes pride in helping pets live happier, healthier lives. Serena enjoys building trusting relationships with both patients and their families, creating a positive and supportive experience during every visit.
At home, Serena shares her life with two beloved dogs who continually inspire her commitment to veterinary medicine and deepen her understanding of the human-animal bond. She is always eager to expand her knowledge, refine her skills, and stay current with advancements in veterinary care.
Serena is proud to be part of the team at Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch and looks forward to continuing her professional growth while making a positive impact on the lives of pets and the people who love them for years to come.
Paola Delunas | Veterinary Assistant
Paola brings a compassionate, client-centered approach to veterinary medicine, with a strong focus on communication and trust. As a quadrilingual team member, she is passionate about ensuring every client feels heard and understood, recognizing that quality care begins with clear, supportive communication.
Her experience spans small animals, exotics, and aquatic species, giving her a well-rounded clinical perspective. Paola is especially interested in delivering care that is both medically sound and tailored to each client’s unique situation. She values collaboration, education, and helping pet owners make informed decisions that support the health and well-being of their animals.
Having worked her way from kennel technician to veterinary technician, Paola brings dedication, resilience, and a strong work ethic to her role. Her journey has shaped her into a hands-on, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a team environment and remains committed to continuous learning.
Paola aspires to continue growing in the field of veterinary medicine, with a long-term goal of becoming a mixed-animal veterinarian and expanding access to high-quality, compassionate care.
Terry Lebon | Lead Kennel Technician
Terry has been a valued member of our Animal Hospital of Lakewood Ranch team since 2016. Terry serves as our versatile kennel technician, adept at a wide range of tasks-- she is a jack of all trades.
You can count on Terry to remember your name and extend a warm, family-like welcome. Terry's responsibilities encompass bathing, assisting with grooming, cleaning, boarding, and many other essential duties.
Sophia Mendez-Rosario | Kennel Technician
Sophia has always had a deep love for animals and has made sure they are well cared for since she can remember. Her passion led her to join our team at AHLR as a kennel technician. Sophia takes great pride in her responsibilities, which include assisting with boarding, grooming, and cleaning. She treats every pet who walks through our doors as if they were her own, ensuring they are loved and well-cared for until they are reunited with their families.
When she's not at work, Sophia is caring for her own pets: 9-year-old Hazel (featured here) and her 4-month-old Indian Ringneck parrot, Pablo. Sophia aspires to further her education in the veterinary field.
Grace | Kennel Technician
Grace is a dedicated Kennel Technician at Animal Hospital at Lakewood Ranch who is passionate about providing compassionate care to every patient she meets. She is grateful to be part of a team that shares her love for animals and commitment to their well-being.
Since the age of 10, Grace has dreamed of working in veterinary medicine. Her goal is to become a Veterinary Technician, allowing her to expand her knowledge of veterinary medicine and play an even greater role in helping pets live happy, healthy lives. She is eager to continue learning and growing within the profession as she works toward achieving that dream.
At home, Grace enjoys spending time with her dog and two cats, who inspire her dedication to animal care every day. Her experience with animals extends beyond companion pets, as she has also raised livestock. One of her proudest accomplishments was raising and selling a cow, an experience that taught her valuable lessons about responsibility, animal husbandry, and the importance of treating all animals with patience, respect, and compassion.
Grace's enthusiasm for learning, strong work ethic, and genuine love for animals make her a valued member of the team.
Alyssa Rockwell | Groomer
Alyssa has a knack for making any pet's grooming experience safe and stress-free. As a pet owner herself (both cats and dogs), she understands the importance of finding a groomer you can trust. She finds fulfillment in creating and maintaining relationships with every animal that crosses her path.
With 3 years of grooming experience and 3 years of veterinary assisting experience, she is well-versed in caring for and handling animals. At home, Alyssa enjoys taking her two chihuahuas on hikes and to the dog beach.