Dr. Bruna Miessler serves as an Emergency and ICU Veterinarian here at VHA, bringing a passion for emergency medicine, compassionate client care, and a strong background in advanced clinical training. Originally from Brazil, she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UNIFAJ before pursuing the PAVE (Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence)…

Dr. Stacy Nelson brings her decades of experience, a passion for emergency medicine, and a deep appreciation for the human-animal bond to VHA. Her journey into veterinary medicine began in childhood, inspired by her grandmother, a nurse whose farm became Dr. Nelson’s favorite place to spend time. Surrounded by animals and guided by a role…

Dr. Alejandra Villalobos knew from a young age that she was destined to care for animals. Her journey to veterinary medicine began with a lifelong passion, and she worked hard to turn her dream into reality. In 2013, while studying abroad in Belize and Thailand, working with elephants and large animals, she had the moment…

Dr. Boa grew up in West Africa’s Ivory Coast and later Belgium, and French is her first language. She has a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a master’s in pathology and microbiology from the University of Montreal. She has loved animals since she was a child but did not originally plan on becoming a…

Dr. Cassie Cure has known she wanted to be a veterinarian since middle school. With a lifelong love for animals and a desire to help others, veterinary medicine became the perfect way to combine both passions. For more than 25 years, she has dedicated her career to helping pets live healthier, happier lives while supporting…

Dr. Elizabeth Fernandez’s journey into veterinary medicine began with a deep-seated passion for animals that started in childhood. She earned her Bachelor of Biology degree from Florida International University and later obtained her DVM from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Her career goals were solidified in 2012 during a career camp at SeaWorld, where…

Dr. Alex Macisz’s love for animals has been a lifelong passion, but his decision to pursue veterinary medicine became clear during his first semester of college when his own dog was bitten by a snake. Experiencing firsthand the care provided at LSU’s veterinary school opened his eyes not only to the importance of veterinary medicine,…

Dr. Dealyne Smith wanted to be a “pet doctor” since she was a small child. After graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1997, she worked for 6 years at a very small clinic in Lake Wales, then moved on to a larger practice in Orlando where she would spend the next 15 years. Dr.…