Our Medical Team

Rachelle, CFVP

Medical Team Manager

Rachelle was born in Phoenix but spent most of her early years in Texas. She relocated to Florida in 1989 and in 2002, she pursued a job in the veterinary field as a way “to pay the bill.” She soon fell in love with the field and has since worked her way all the way up to being one of our most experienced technicians. In her spare time, this mom of 3 likes to relax, paint, bake and do crafts with her kids (and we especially look forward to her cookies). She also shares her home with 3 dogs, 1 cat, 1 lizard, and 1 boyfriend.

Mallory

Medical Team Manager

Mallory joined our staff in May of 2007. She has been in the Veterinary field since 1999.

Mallory has a beautiful daughter at home. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Paige

Veterinary Nurse

Paige is another true Floridian here at Lake Emma Animal Hospital, as she was born and raised in Orlando. She attended Olympia High School and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences from UCF. Paige has always loved working with animals and began her career in the veterinary field as a Technician Assistant in 2012. She loves spending time outdoors fishing, hiking, and hanging out at the beach. She also enjoys running 5K’ s and half marathons, as well as spending time with family and friends. Paige shares her home with 2 dogs, Rodney and Leonidas.

Amber, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse

Amber is one of our skilled Veterinary Nurses at Lake Emma Animal Hospital. Raised in Tennessee, Amber has been living in Florida for about five years on and off. They are pursuing their veterinary technician certification and have a passion for animal care.

Amber enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and exploring Orlando in their free time. Amber has a cat, four snakes, and a gecko as pets.

Amber’s love for animals and interest in medicine led them to start their career in the veterinary field. They began their journey at Lake Emma Animal Hospital in 2017 and have been providing excellent care to furry friends ever since. With a dedication to their craft and a warm personality, Amber is an invaluable member of our team.

Ashton, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse

A native Floridian, Ashton was born and raised in Lake City. She received a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College in biology, with a specialty in marine biology. She grew up watching Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel instead of cartoons, and her family encouraged her to pursue her dreams of a career in the animal care field. She has always had a passion for animals, and Steve Irwin and Sir David Attenborough were her role models. She has been in the veterinary medicine field since 2020 and learns something new every day. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games with friends, reading, writing, drawing and occasionally getting dressed up to go out to brunch.

Sierra, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse

Sierra was born and raised with three younger siblings in central Florida. She earned a degree in marine biology and psychology at Florida Southern College and was a volunteer at the Marine Science Center turtle hospital. She decided to work in the veterinary field because she enjoys helping animals and spoiling them with lots of love. She has a dog, six cats, a turtle, a cockatiel and a sugar glider. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, playing video games, and hanging out with her family and her cats.

Matt, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse

Matt was born in Wisconsin and moved to Florida when he was 10. He received a bachelor’s degree from Stetson University, where he majored in biology and minored in psychology. He has worked in the veterinary field since 2021. In his free time, he enjoys running and high-adrenaline activities like rock-climbing, white-water rafting and sky diving. 

Ally, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse

Ally was born in Connecticut, but has spent most of her life in Florida. She earned an Associate’s degree at Pasco Hernando State College and began working in the veterinary field in 2021 as a receptionist and veterinary assistant. After training as a veterinary technician in Illinois, Ally came back to Florida to join the team at Lake Emma as a veterinary technician in 2023. She enjoys reading and is part of a book club with her sister—and the family that reads together stays together! Ally enjoys outdoor activities of all kinds, including camping, boating, and beach or pool time. Her pets include a rescue pitttie named Diesel and two feline litter mates named Bowzer and Peach. 

Sara, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse

Meet Sara, a passionate veterinary professional who embarked on her career in 2022. Since then, she has been proudly working for Lake Emma, where her love for caring for animals shines through every day. 

At home, Sara shares her life with an adorable crew of pets, including four cats, a snake, a frog, a fish, a spider, and an axolotl. Her insatiable curiosity fuels her love for learning, making her a dedicated and knowledgeable caregiver.

In her free time, Sara enjoys spending time at community markets selling her craft items, playing with her furry and scaly friends, or relaxing with her partner. With a happy and driven spirit, Sara is committed to making a positive impact in the world of animal care!

Christy, CVT

Veterinary Nurse

Christy was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and moved to Orlando at the end of 2022. She graduated from John A. Ferguson High School in 2011 and later earned her A.S. in Veterinary Technology from Miami Dade Medical campus. She’s currently considering pursuing a degree in Zoology to work with exotic animals in the future.

Christy began her veterinary career in 2015 and has experience in both emergency and general practice. She has a special interest in surgery and patient monitoring and is passionate about enrichment for her own pets at home—including three cats, a corn snake, a leopard gecko, and three mice.

Outside of work, Christy enjoys video games, arts and crafts, and Japanese culture. She makes miniatures and jewelry using polymer clay and dreams of visiting Japan one day.

Ashley

Veterinary Nurse

Ashley was born and raised in Interlachen, Florida, a cozy small town known for having just two traffic lights. She’s lived most of her life in Florida but has also spent some time in Nebraska and North Dakota due to her fiancé’s traveling job.

Currently, Ashley is enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program at SPC, and she is more than halfway through the two-year course. She entered the veterinary field in 2020, inspired during the height of the COVID pandemic to follow her true passion rather than continue her career in restaurants.

Ashley shares her home with twin Siamese cats, Mashed Potato and Tiramisu, whom she lovingly bottle-fed from three weeks of age, as well as Bitsy, a spirited Terrier mix known for her butterfly ears and impressive jumping skills. She also has a tattoo in memory of her beloved first cat, Sokka.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys crocheting, learning new things about veterinary medicine, and spending quality time with her fiancé. She looks forward to volunteering more within her community once she finishes school. Fun fact: Ashley does an impressive Pikachu impression!

Corrine

Veterinary Nurse Assistant

Corrine is from central Florida. She is working on a pre-vet biology degree at the University of Central Florida and is the vice president of the UCF Equestrian team. She loves animals and science, so the vet field is a good match for her. She joined the Lake Emma team in 2020. She has had cats all her life, though she considers herself more of a dog person. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, painting, drawing and hiking.

Gabby B, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse Assistant

Gabby comes to us from Philadelphia, PA, and has lived in Florida for just over a year. She graduated from Jean Madeline Aveda Institute, a cosmetology school, and she studied nursing for a semester at Bucks County Community College. She is passionate about animal care and finds it rewarding to be a part of an animal’s care team. When she lived in Philadelphia, Gabby fostered rescues.

Gabby and her husband consider their pets their children. They have two female pit bull mixes, an old lady named Lily and a younger pup named Nova. Three cats moved to Florida with them, but they now have four, since the newest one found her husband at work. Rounding out the group are three hens that recently started laying.

In her free time, Gabby enjoys any type of outdoor activity like cycling, hiking, horseback riding and going out with family and friends. When not outdoors, she enjoys crafting, cooking, and doing makeup applications.

Najellie, CVA

Veterinary Nurse Assistant

Najellie is a Florida native who achieved her CVA from Southern Technical College. She shares her home with a 3-year-old chocolate Lab named Tye who likes boat and car rides and meeting new people. In her free time, Najellie enjoys having boat days on the river, reading or going on long walks.

Nicole, CVA, CFVA

Veterinary Nurse Assistant
 
Nicole originally hails from New Jersey, but made the move to sunny Florida and hasn’t looked back since. She has had a passion for animals since she was small and always knew she wanted to connect with, understand, and advocate for these special creatures. Nicole’s fur family includes a Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix named Lucas, her pride and joy, and a constant source of love and support. In her free time, Nicole enjoys relaxing, spending time with friends and family, and watching mystery documentaries. Fun fact: She’s remarkably good at catching things one-handed, but requests that you not test this skill without letting her know first. 

Taryn CFVA, VRCE

Veterinary Nurse Assistant

A Florida native, Taryn was born in Rockledge, raised in Orlando, and currently lives in Altamonte Springs. She has wanted to work with animals since she was a small child, following in the footsteps of her Aunt Mary Frances, who was a vet tech. She is Taryn’s inspiration, and she wants to be just like her. Taryn had a chance to work with her aunt at her first job as a receptionist at Edgewater Animal Hospital. Taryn and her husband Robert have five cats: Loki, Isis, CJ, Kinko and PITA. In her free time, she enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, watching crime shows on Investigation Discovery, working in the yard, and crafting and baking.

Daydra, CFVP

Veterinary Nurse Assistant

Daydra Richter’s passion for animals, ignited by her aunt’s work at a zoo, led her to the veterinary field this year. Born in Orlando, Florida, she briefly resided in Nebraska before returning to her hometown. Currently, Daydra is determined to become a veterinarian and plans to start her education at Valencia College. In her spare time, she enjoys playing guitar, singing, running, and making memories with friends and family. Daydra is thrilled to be part of our team and can’t wait to make a positive impact on the lives of our patients and their animal companions.