Stephanie Aubertin’s passion for animals began early, spending all four years of high school in a vet assisting program. After taking a detour to gain more hands-on animal experience through boarding facilities and an internship at the zoo, she found her way back to veterinary medicine. With a lifelong love for animals—having cared for everything from dogs, cats, and birds to a pig and a bearded dragon—Stephanie’s life has always revolved around animal well-being. “Ever since I started in this field, I’ve been a voice of reason and an advocate for my patients, and this position gives me the opportunity to make a real difference in both patient care and our staff’s well-being,” she shares.
Before joining VHA, Stephanie worked at two other veterinary clinics and two dog boarding facilities. These experiences taught her about animal behavior, restraint, and the patience required for working with nervous pets. She began her veterinary career as an assistant in a general practice, quickly moving up to a technician. “That’s where I discovered my passion for emergency medicine,” she explains. “The type of patient care and attention to detail required in ER work is something I knew I was suited for.” After two years working at an emergency clinic in Lakeland, Stephanie found her home at VHA.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Stephanie’s role at VHA is seeing the continued care of the patients she helps. “At my last clinic, I worked only overnight and weekends, so I didn’t get to see the full journey of recovery,” she recalls. “Here at VHA, having a 24/7 ICU and ER means I can follow a patient’s progress and witness the joy of owners taking their pets home.”
Initially, Stephanie was drawn to VHA because of its proximity to home and the opportunity to work at a 24-hour facility. Now, what keeps her motivated is the incredible team she works with daily. “The staff here are amazing, and I love the camaraderie between departments like ER, CSR, ICU, surgery, and internal medicine,” she says.
One memorable case that stands out for Stephanie involves a dog named Wednesday, a nervous Lab mix from her first general practice clinic. “I spent a lot of time working with her on nail trims, blood draws, and other care, often by myself or with the owners nearby. She needed a particular approach, and her case really helped me develop the patience I have for working with larger, nervous dogs,” Stephanie explains. The owners were always so grateful for the time she took with their pet, which left a lasting impression on her.
At home, Stephanie enjoys the company of her two dogs, Darby (a Boxer mix) and Delilah (a Lab mix), as well as her three cats: Jackie, Fluke, and Dave. Outside of work, she enjoys painting and reading when she’s not spending time with her pets or visiting her mom and her pets in Ocala.
To maintain a healthy balance between work and home life, Stephanie tries to disconnect from work when she’s off the clock, whether that’s by playing with her dogs, watching TV, or simply getting some rest. “I know VHA offers great resources like the meditation pod and mental health workshops, which is fantastic for those who need it,” she adds.
It is what it is, it was what it was, It will be what it will be. Don’t stress it.
