Our Staff

Veterinarians

Randa Antar , DVM

Dr. Randa Antar graduated from the University of Florida in 2002 after receiving a bachelor's degree in Animal Science and a master's degree in animal nutrition. She then went to Ross University to obtain her DVM and then finished up at UF in 2006. She has been working at Fleming Island Pet Clinic since. Dr. Antar lives in Jacksonville with her husband, 2 children, her dogs, Shark and Minnow, and cats, Trout and Tuna. She has special interests in dermatology and surgery. Dr. Antar also works at the Clay Duval Pet Emergency Clinic.

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Alanna Lowry , DVM

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Dr. Alanna Lowry graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. She has been employed at the Fleming Island Pet Clinic since July of 2000. She sees a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, rodents and other pocket pets and some reptiles. Her areas of interest include anesthesia, preventive care and behavior. One of the things she enjoys most about general practice is getting to know the pets and owners well and seeing them back year after year. Dr. Lowry is a Florida native and lives in Jacksonville. She shares her home with two dogs, one cat, a snake, and her husband Pete. In her time away from the clinic, she enjoys training and showing her dogs in obedience and agility competitions, growing orchids and running.

Michelle Curtis Velasco , DVM, ABVP--AVIAN

Dr. Curtis graduated from Auburn University with her degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1978, and started her career in Zoological Medicine as the first fulltime staff veterinarian at the Jacksonville Zoo. She later worked in small animal private practice for several years before starting the Fleming Island Pet Clinic in 1988.While seeing a wide variety of pet exotic animals she developed a special interest in birds. After attending years of continuing education and seminars on avian medicine and surgery, she became Board Certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Avian Practice in 1993, and later served as that organization’s president. The ABVP was one of the first specialty boards recognized by the AVMA to require recertification every 10 years, and Dr. Curtis passed the extensive examination process to be recertified in 2003.She spends her free time riding her horses and competing in Dressage riding, and enjoys staying at home with her 3 dogs, 5 cats, several pet birds and human family members, including her husband, Dr. Velasco.

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Technicians

Larissa Schroeder

Larissa is a lady of many, many talents. Lovingly nick-named the “All Island Recepto-Tech”. She is flexible enough to be a receptionist and technician at Fleming Island Pet & Bird Clinic. Then she shares her skills with our sister clinic All Animal Clinic as a technician. Larissa started here in the kennel back in 2000 and with her skills and love of animals, she quickly moved up to being a technician. She moved to Tampa for a short time and now, we are happy to have her come back to us. She is a newlywed and shares her home with her two dogs: a rescued greyhound named Diablo, her bull terrier Hagen and her cat Simba. She enjoys food and playing with her dogs. Her bright smile is one that is hard to miss!

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Stacey Dowdy

Stacey has worked here at the Fleming Island Pet Clinic since 2005. Prior to joining our staff, Stacey lived in Virginia where she worked for other AAHA certified veterinary clinics for about five years. She also has experience from a veterinary emergency clinic. Stacey is currently enrolled in continuing education classes here as well in order to obtain her certification. When asked what areas of veterinary practice she enjoyed most, dentistry came to mind. Also Stacey says she enjoys the large variety of species and cases we see here every day. Stacey is married and has a teenage daughter. She has several animals spanning multiple species. There are two dogs (a Boxer named "Zeus" and a Boston Terrier,"Chopper"), three cats, and four birds. In her free time, Stacey enjoys playing pool and is also active with her church.

Shannon Lewis

Shannon is one of our most experienced and devoted technicians. She has been a staff member here since 2001. Shannon has extensive experience in the field of veterinary medicine. Prior to joining us, she has worked with other veterinarians, including work at a specialty practice. Her technical skills are excellent and she is a very valuable member of our team. Shannon stays busy away from the clinic with her two girls and many pets (three dogs and four cats). She enjoys fishing, camping, all types of crafting, and is active in Girl Scouts.

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Linda McConnell

Linda is one of our technicians here at the Fleming Island Pet Clinic. She has been a staff member here since 2005 and has had many years of experience in the veterinary field. We’re not quite sure what is wrong with Linda, because only has one cat named "Luni", a bit of an oddity in this field! Linda is probably the most easy-going out of all of us and is known for her unique sense of humor. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cross-stitching. Linda shares her home with her husband. She also has a son and three grandchildren. Make sure to say hi to Linda next time you come in!

Alix Rairden , CVT

Alix Rairden joined our staff in 2008 and had two years of previous experience working in the veterinary field. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Florida in 2005. In addition, she has completed two additional years of school and earned her CVT degree in 2007. (certified veterinary technician). Certified technicians are hard to come by and we are glad to have Alix as a part of our team. Alix shares her home with her husband, son, and dogs "Jake" and "Josie", and cat "Simon". At work, one of her main interests is client communication and education. Away from work, she enjoys going to the dog park, shopping, and cooking and baking.

Reception Staff

Nicole Pinto

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Nicole is a compassionate and sweet receptionist. Her voice is always a cheerful one on the phone. She has grown up with animals on her parent’s apple orchard up in New Hampshire. Moving down here to be with her husband, who was in the Navy, she followed her passion of animals first managing a pet store. She then went into the medical field by starting as a receptionist and then a technician at animal hospitals in the area. She then took some time off to study the art of dog grooming. Fate led her to us here at the Fleming Island Pet & Bird Clinic, where we are happy to count her as part of the family. She has been with the clinic for 3 years now. She shares her home with five cats, two dogs, two horses and her husband. She is in school pursuing a business degree. When not a work Nicole is busy with her personal business.
Cindy Seymore

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Quick-witted and humorous, Cindy is a bright part of our family here at Fleming Island Pet & Bird Clinic. She has been going eleven years strong up front in reception. Yankee-born, Cindy hails from Pennsylvania. She enjoys growing her own food, cooking, making her pottery, singing her blue-grass music and singing harmony in a band that travels to different churches and events. She is very attentive to our client’s needs and quick to brighten your day with a joke. She shares her farm with her husband, son, three dogs, two cats, one Amazon parrot and a flock of chickens, which she calls “her girls.” Look for Cindy’s bright smile to welcome you as you come in the door.

Betty Turner

When you come in the clinic, if Betty is here you can definitely hear her laughter. She has been with our clinic since 1997 and made the move from the old clinic to our new one in 2000. She has a colorful personality and a heart of gold. A bit eccentric and very lovable, she has a great memory and recognizes our clients and patients by name. Betty never meets a stranger. She is quick to give a treat to a pet or a hug to an owner. She is very sweet and enjoys eating. She is proud of her home and shares it with her five dogs and two cats. She grew up in south Florida and has one daughter, who lives in California and works in a human hospital. Betty has always loved and cherished having animals in her life. We are very happy to have her as a part of our family.

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Kennel Staff

Kathy Chandler

If Kathy’s in the clinic when you come in, you probably know it (because you can hear her)! She is always ready to have a quick conversation with you or give a tour of the clinic. Kathy Chandler is our kennel manager, overseeing the care of the many dogs, cats, birds and other animals ‘on vacation’ with us. She also always manages to keep busy with many of the little things that can easily get overlooked in the day-to-day workings of the clinic. Kathy has worked at the Fleming Island Pet Clinic since 2003 and has an extensive background in animal care. Kathy lives in Orange Park and shares her home with her many dogs and multiple cats. She enjoys exercising and going to the beach.

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