Our Staff
Management
Practice Manager - Jean B. Hess, MSW
Jean has a Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in management, consultation, and staff development from Florida State University. Prior to 1984 she worked in adoptions and in mental health and mental health planning.
Jean has the same pets as Dr. Hess.
Inventory Manager - Terry Travis
Terry joined our staff in 1991 as a veterinary technician and currently serves as our Inventory Manager. She earned a BA in history from Tennessee Technological University. Terry has worked as a computer systems analyst and newspaper copy editor as well as at other veterinary hospitals. She remains dedicated and committed to doing everything she can for the welfare of animals including working with the American Bouvier Rescue League.
Terry shares her home with her husband, three cats (Sparkle, Dashiel and Buzz) and two dogs (a Pit Bull named Olive and a Giant Schnauzer named Jethro).
Animal Care Supervisor - Sandy Dunnewind
Sandy is our Kennel Manager. She has been an invaluable member of our staff since 1985 and can do almost anything. She has the distinction of working here the longest with the exception of Dr. Hess. Even after all these years she remains dedicated to ensuring our "guests" experience a quality, loving, and fun stay with us.
Sandy has two dogs, a Golden Retriever named Emma and a West Highland White Terrier named Mac.
Client Service Supervisor - Brianna Mahoney
Brianna is our Client Service Supervisor. She joined our staff in February of 2007 and came to us with 10 years of customer service and business management experience. Brianna studied at Hunter College in New York City. She loves to help people and their pets and will go out of her way to assist you.
Brianna shares her home with a German Shepard, Jack; 2 cats, Beef and Pudge; and a rescued gerbil, Pieface.
Technician Supervisor - Terri Barton, CVT
Terri is the supervisor of our technician team. She is a South Carolina native who has been in the veterinary field since 1993. She is a graduate of Tri-County Technical College’s Veterinary Technician program. Currently she is taking Veterinary Hospital Management courses through St. Petersburg College. Terri has worked in several small animal practices as well as in a specialty ophthalmology practice. She has wanted to work with animals since she was six years old and enjoys helping clients care for and learn more about their pets.
She shares her home with her husband, son and three cats, Allie, Scratches and Zoe.
Head Technician - Judy Lethbridge, CVT
Judy is our Head Technician and joined WPVH is 2002. She has worked in the veterinary field since 1986 in many different capacities including approximately three years of part-time work at Sea World in behavioral observation. Otherwise she has been in veterinary hospitals focusing on exceptional patient care. She has a passion for teaching.
Judy has 6 cats; Babs, JoJo, Lanie, Scout, Rocki, and The Cheese; along with 1 rabbit, Trixie, and a Boston Terrier, Lucy.
Technician Team
Larissa
Larissa joined WPVH in May 2006. She relocated to Florida from the Northeast and has a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology from the State University of New York at Suny Oswego. She has a special interest in avians. She spent two years with a wild bird rehab center in New Jersey, The Raptor Trust, and has also spent three years in the field of bird training and presentation with The World Bird Sanctuary. Larissa's particular passion for birds brought her to Winter Park Veterinary Hospital to advance her skills in
avian medicine. As a veterinary technician, she enjoys her work with all animals.
Larissa's "only child" is her Chihuahua, Kita.
Tawnya
Tawnya joined our technician team in August 2006 and has been in the veterinary field for 14 years. She had previously managed at another hospital but realized she missed directly working with the animals. Her presence here has lead her back to her true calling - a technician at heart.
Tawnya shares her family with 3 cats, 2 dogs, 2 crows and several fish.
Meredith
Meredith joined our technician staff in May 2007. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2004, but has loved and cared for animals since she was very young, owning everything from hamsters to horses. In her spare time, Meredith enjoys gourmet cooking, reading, traveling (she has traveled to more
than 16 countries throughout the world), and saltwater fishing when weather and time permits (she has even competed several years in the Women's World Series Tarpon Tournament).
Meredith shares her home with "her two children" Bacchus and Midas, both Golden Retrievers.
Raphael
Raphael became a part of the Technician team in January 2009. Originally from Puerto Rico, his family noticed his deep love of animals at a very young age. He graduated from Florida Institute of Animal Arts and has specific interests in exotic animals and canine behavior.
He shares his home with his 4 rescued mixed breed dogs: Jada, Chance, Luxe, and
Stark; Miggrady, a DSH; Halo, a Siamese mix; exotic fish and a turtle named Donatello.
Shannon
Shannon is a Massachusetts native who moved to Florida via Kentucky. She is a graduate of
Bridgewater State College and has attended a workshop at the Pet Massage Institute in Ohio. With
over 20 years of experience as a veterinary technician, she looks forward to using her skills to help
our patients.
In her spare time, she likes to ride her horse (Sissy), walk her dogs (Margaret and Johnny), and read
a good book with her kitties (Heath and Peepers).
Autumn
Autumn joined our technician team in June 2010. She is a graduate of FSU with a BA in German and a minor in Humanities and Russian language. She plans to continue her education by entering
veterinary school and focusing on small mammals, specifically ferrets.
Autumn married her high school sweetheart and shares her home with 2 dogs (August, a German
Shepherd mix and Zelda, a Border Collie), 4 cats (Jenny, Isabel, Colby and Edelweiss), and one
ferret (Ivy).
Lorelei
Lorelei has been in the veterinary field since 1993. Recently, she finished EMT school where she
wanted to expand her knowledge into the human field. But before pursuing her paramedic degree
as planned, she realized that her heart belonged to veterinary medicine. She joined WPVH in June
2010. Her experience and gentle nature is a true accent to our team.
In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, running, working out, and spending time with her
ten year old St Bernard, Tryden. She also enjoys raising and fostering kittens.
Amy CVT
Amy joined our technician team in June 2011. She received a BA in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, but soon realized that her passion revolved around animals. She then graduated from the veterinary technician program at Argosy University in 2008 and has been helping improve the lives of pets and their people ever since.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys photography, the great outdoors, and spending time with her Australian Shepherd mix, Maddie, and Siamese mix, Loki.
Kelly
Kelly’s passion for animals began at the young age of 12 when she started volunteering at a local animal shelter in New Jersey. She decided to turn this passion into a career and has been working in the veterinary field for the past 9 years. She moved to Florida four years ago and joined the WPVH team in 2008. She enjoys all aspects of the field but is most interested in animal behavior. She is a huge pit bull advocate and a voice for the breed, which is so commonly misunderstood.
In her spare time she enjoys watching movies, going to the beach with friends, and spending quality time with her amazing animals, Ronin a coonhound/viszla mix who survived distemper, Joey her handsome shih tzu, Kayla her beautiful pit bull, Landon her slate grey cat, and Zorro her ragdoll/Siamese kitty.
Julian
Julian has been working with animals his entire life. His first pet was a Dalmatian given to him at the age of 9 by his father. He has had a love of being with and taking care of animals ever since. Julian has worked for several veterinary practices in the last 10 years and came to WPVH in 2006. In 2009 Julian expanded his horizons and went on to pursue an exciting job opportunity as a veterinary lab technician in Miami. We are excited to have Julian back as of April 2011.
Julian has a forty-pound African Spurred Tortoise named Spike, a ten-pound Red Pointed Tortoise named Rosita, and a DSH cat named Michu.
Rodny
Rodny was born and raised in Cuba. His father instilled in him a love of animals when he was a child. He immigrated to the U.S when he was 9. When it came time to find a career he decided to do something he knew he had a passion for, working with animals. Rodny recently graduated from Florida Institute of Animal Arts and completed an internship with WPVH. He plans on becoming a certified veterinary technician and getting his degree in Zoology.
He loves to play with his boxer Goku, his Akita Rottweiler mix Whisk, and his new rescued cat Phish. In his spare time he likes to work on cars and be involved in various motor sports.
Reception
Fran
Fran has lived in College Park for 34 years and has worked here since 2002. She has an exceptional love for animals and people, which prompted her career change from being a stage technician in the performing arts to a veterinary receptionist here. She has discovered a new love for flighted, feathered friends.
Fran shares her home with 3 cats named Scooter Pie, Baby, and Bitzy Bittens; 1 blue and gold Macaw named Sakari; a Military Macaw named General; and 1 Indian Ringneck named Elliot.
Jane
Jane joined our client service team in April 2006; however, she is not new to the veterinary field. Jane has been working in the field since 1989 as a receptionist. She enjoys working and meeting new clients and their pets.
Jane shares her home with Sig, a mixed breed dog, and two cats.
Danielle
Danielle became a Client Service Representative in 2008, but has worked in the veterinary field for
six years. She had many dogs and cats growing up and has always felt a deep love for all living
things. She is particularly interested in the study of animal behavior, which she began to study after
rescuing a dog with post-traumatic syndrome from Hurricane Katrina. She is currently attending
Valencia Communtiy College and is soon to transfer to Rollins College in pursuit of her
English/Business degree.
She has two "rescued babies" of her own: A Toy Schnauzer named Isabella and a Miniature
Pinscher named Louie Vuitton.
Kristina
Kristina joined the Client Service Team in November 2007. Before moving to Florida in 2004, she
worked in pet retail for three and a half years in New Jersey as an Assistant Manager. She has
always had a love and passion for animals for as long as she can remember. During her childhood,
her family had cats, rabbits, snakes, and a dog.
She currently shares her home with her dog, Mia (a pug mix she found abandoned) and her 3 cats:
Damian, Freddy, and Kato.
Jacky
Jacky joined our Client Service Team in December 2010, She had previously worked as a Vet Technician for 2 years and graduated from Florida Institute of Animal Arts. Prior to that she worked in the customer service field for 9 years. A Florida native and true animal lover she always knew that she wanted to be in the animal care field. She enjoys seeing all the different pets and people that come in every day. She truly loves the unconditional love a pet will give you. She enjoys reading, photography, camping, music, and arts and crafts.
She shares her home with her husband, 4 rescue dogs; Chance,Jada,Luxe,Stark and 4 rescue cats; Miggrady, Halo, Scarlet,and Khloe. She also has 3 guinea pigs; Totorro, Piggy and Mai, a turtle named Donatello and a senegal named Beans.
Sam
Sam joined our staff in July of 2011. She came to us with a background in training and caring for exotic birds. She loves all animals but has a special place in her heart for birds. She has also volunteered at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey for three years and loves it.
Animal Care Specialists
Andrew
Andrew started at WPVH in October of 2006 after working for SeaWorld and Dixie Stampede for 3 years. He has loved animals for as long as he can remember and when he is not taking care of the animals at WPVH, he spoils his three cats, Ogar, Piston, and Cookie, three Basset-hounds, Lili, Gracie, and Fiona and English Masstiff, Tank.
Kevin
Kevin is currently attending Seminole Community College for a Medical Assistant certificate. He would like to be a Physician's Assistant and in the future work in the Anesthesiology field. He rejoined our staff in 2005 having worked with us while in high school.
Kevin has one dog, Sam, a Beagle.
Carrie
Carrie divides her time as one of our Animal Care Specialists in the kennel and as Inventory Assistant. She joined the Winter Park Veterinary Hospital staff in 2008. She is also currently attending college. When she is not at work or school, her hobbies include traveling with her family, live music, cinema, and the arts.
She has two tiny Chihuahuas named Nico and Arlo and a calico kitty name Parker Posey.
Ana
Anastasia joined WPVH in 2011. She is a Florida native. Anastasia has just graduated from Lake Howell High school and is now going to Seminole State College. She has a goal to become a vet. She has always had a passion for animals. For fun she goes out to a farm where she rides horses, takes care of chickens, goats, lambs, and cows.
Anastasia also volunteers at Greyhound Pets of America Greater Orlando. She has three greyhounds Charm, Ginger, and Valley Girl.
Supporting Team Members
Information Technology Specialist - Aliza
Aliza, who handles our information technology, has been working in the veterinary field since 1990. A native of Miami, Aliza joined our team in 2005. Working with animals has always been a passion of hers. She has also enjoyed and been very successful in her work with animal related charities.
Aliza shares her home with two rescue cats, Pollux, a Siamese and Serafina, a Persian. She has recently added Sherman to her family.
Hospital Administration
Judith
Judith has her AA degree and had been in the legal field since 1978. In 2002 she decided to follow her heart and changed careers. She loves people and animals and is fascinated with all she is learning in the veterinary field.
Judith's house mates consist of 1 dog, a mixed breed named Jessie, along with 2 cats named Patience and Fiesty.
Sally
Sally has worked at the hospital since 1985 in various capacities from Office Manager to Receptionist. She now handles all our educational kits, handouts and forms.
Sally's animal companions include two birds (Sam, a blue front amazon, and Hobie, a cockatiel) and three rescued dogs (Amber, a red and white Papillon, and Minnie and Disney, both black and white Papillons).
Lauren
Lauren joined the team as a part time Kennel and Office Assistant in 2007, while she attended school at Winter Park High. Since graduating, she has become our full time Office Assistant. She works with our computer system and assists the Practice Manager, as well as many other team members. She plans to attend classes to pursue her interest in business.
She shares her home with a cat named Max.
