Get to know our veterinarian team
Meet Our Veterinarian
AA, BS, DVM
Medical Director/Veterinarian
Dr. Patrick A. Kelly is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico where he lived for the first 10 years of his life and where he became fluent in Spanish. Dr. Kelly knew he wanted to be a veterinarian since he could pronounce the word. He was raised on a 200 acre tropical paradise family compound. His parents were animal lovers and his family shared shared their compound with all sorts of animals, from dogs and cats, to horses and monkeys. Dr. Kelly’s parents shared with him an early memory when they walked into the kitchen and found 2 year old Patrick on his hands and knees gathered around the dog food bowl, sharing the meal with his canine brothers and sisters.
Dr. Kelly has always had a way with animals. One of the most interesting childhood experiences occurred when a male baboon escaped a traveling circus and ended up in his front yard. He befriended the dogs, wrestling with them just like he was one of them. His mother took videos of 6 year old Patrick showing no fear and walking up to and hand feeding the full grown baboon. The videos survive to this day and Dr. Kelly has shown his 4 kids the origins of his love of animals and the sparks of his veterinary career.
Veterinary medicine is the ONLY career that Dr. Kelly has ever wanted. The day Dr. Kelly received his acceptance letter to the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine was one of the happiest days of his life, trailing only his marriage to his beautiful wife Carolynn, and the birth of his 4 children. He is passionate about helping animals. He donates his time and money treating wildlife and gets a tremendous amount of satisfaction when a previously injured wild animal that he has cared for is released into the wild. Dr. Kelly, even after over 30 years in practice, still pinches himself every morning that he is privileged to be in a profession he was truly destined to do.
He then moved to Milford, Massachusetts where he lived for 8 years. He attended Milford High School, before moving to Port St. Lucie, Florida in 1976. He attended Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce where he earned an Associate in Arts degree in 1978. He went to the University of Florida’s College of Agriculture and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 1981. He attended the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and was awarded the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. He has practiced in Port St. Lucie since his graduation.
Dr. Kelly’s areas of interest are small animal and wildlife medicine and surgery.
Dr. Kelly has been happily married since 1990 to the former Carolynn Wheat and they have 4 children, William, Christopher, Katherine, and Mikaela. They are the proud grandparents of 2 beautiful granddaughters. They live on 23.5 acres in Fort Pierce with their 4 dogs, 7 cats, 4 parrots, 8 horses, 1 goat, a lamb, 5 pigs, and a sulcata tortoise. His hobbies include spending time with his family, horticulture, music, horseback riding, and sports. He is a level 4.5 tennis player.
DVM, MBA, CVA
Craig Stanton, Veterinarian
I simply LOVE animals! But I also really enjoy helping clients, improving my patients’ lives, and problem-solving in a curious, thorough, and passionate way. I have a special interest and abilities in small animal surgery, anesthesia safety, and pain management. I treat every patient as if they were one of my family’s beloved pets and I take pride in having a spotless anesthesia safety record. I enjoy teaching anesthesia techniques and tricks to my assistants and always aim to advance the art of patient care.
Married to a veterinarian, my family is all about pets – my daughter’s favorite pillow has always been a big hairy Great Pyrenes. We have 5 cats, a Pyrenes, and a leopard gecko named Firefly. From Colorado, I am not thrilled about the heat of Florida but I’m loving how plants and my Bonsai trees grow down here. I love surfing, woodworking, generally fixing things that are broken, and anything involving nature, pets, or family. I’m happy to be a member of this team and am excited to bring my skill set to the pets in this area.
I am passionate about optimizing the patient experience by minimizing fear, stress, and pain however possible. I practice “multimodal pain management”, which means we implement multiple medications and strategies to maximize pain prevention while minimizing the side effects of any one medication. I regularly employ pain management techniques such as epidurals, regional nerve blocks, wound soaker catheters, laser therapy, electroacupuncture, and topical analgesics.
In the near future at Kelly’s, I hope we can utilize my experience in endoscopic surgery as this technology minimizes surgical trauma and simplifies the procedures minimizing anesthesia time. When we operate through very small incisions we not only have greater visibility, improved access to the surgical site, and much less tissue trauma – but we don’t need as many post-operative limits or medications and we usually don’t need an Elizabethan collar/aka the dreaded “Cone of Shame”!
DVM Colorado State University 2007, MBA Colorado State University 2005, Certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture 2007, Laparoscopic surgical training 2007-2010, Small animal dentistry and oral surgery training 2010, Emergency & Critical Care full time 2014-2021, Surgical focus 2009-2014 and 2021-current.
VMD, CVA
Linda Schneider, Veterinarian
Linda grew up in Rochester, NY., and attended Nazareth Highschool. Linda grew up with animals and knew that this was the career path she wanted to follow. After graduation, she attended Ohio State University and received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Schneider’s career and experience include companion animal practice, integrative medicine, veterinary acupuncture, and herbal medicine. She has also volunteered many hours working at shelters and with rescue groups. When she came to Florida (almost ready to retire!) and met Dr. Kelly and his wonderful staff, she obtained her Florida license to practice and became an associate veterinarian at Kelly’s Animal Hospital. Dr. Schneider enjoys partnering with pet owners to maintain pet health.
Dr. Oliver, Veterinarian
Meet our Management
Tessa
Tessa, our Practice Manager, embodies a genuine dedication to patient care. Originally from Pennsylvania, she relocated to Florida to be closer to her family. Tessa pursued her education diligently, completing her associate degree at IRSC and will be completing her Veterinary Technician degree this year. With the desire to continuously grow in this profession, Tessa will continue her education to become a CVPM (certified Verterinary practice manager).
Tessa’s journey in veterinary medicine has been greatly influenced by her time working alongside veterinarians in a specialty and emergency hospital. These mentors instilled in her a deep appreciation for providing thorough, patient-centric care. With a particular passion for diagnostics, such as laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging, Tessa collaborates closely with veterinarians to leverage these tools in understanding the voiceless patients. She firmly believes that diagnostic results offer invaluable insights into both the physical and emotional needs of her patients. In her free time, Tessa dedicates herself to furthering her knowledge in veterinary medicine and its advancements. All in the pursuit of ensuring the well-being of her patients.
Outside of the office, Tessa’s world revolves around her family: her son, daughter, and partner Ken. Despite her best efforts to keep work at work, her home has become a haven to four dogs in need of some extra love—turns out, they don’t quite understand the concept of “office hours”! With two kids and four furry friends, her home is full of endless energy. The boundaries may blur between work and home, but it’s all part of the adventure she embraces with open arms.
Drawing from personal experiences, Tessa intimately understands the emotional and financial burdens associated with medical care. Through education, empowerment, and collaboration, she aims to make veterinary care more accessible and compassionate for all. Tessa is dedicated to balancing patient-centered care, working alongside their families, and ensuring the well-being of the staff. Kelly’s Animal Hospital has a remarkable support team of receptionists, assistants, technicians, and kennel attendants who collectively form the heart of the hospital. As a manager, she hopes to show appreciation through nurturing the growth of each team member, recognizing, and building upon their unique talents and strengths. Kelly’s Animal Hospital embodies a culture of authenticity, rooted in the legacy of Dr. Kelly, whose expertise and compassion have made him a beloved figure in the community. As Dr. Kelly prepares for retirement, his legacy of exceptional care will be carried forward by Tessa and the dedicated team, ensuring that his vision continues to thrive for years to come.
Meet our skilled Veterinary Technicians
Josh Houser
Veterinary Technician
Josh was born and raised just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Oviedo High School in Oviedo, Florida. He attended Bel-Rea Institute in Denver, Colorado. He graduated with an Associate of Applied Sciences degree.
Josh has had a love of animals for as long as he can recall. He has worked in many veterinary institutions since college including surgical practices, critical care/emergency practices, as well as general practices, and rescue organizations.
Josh enjoys spending his leisure time spending time with his 2 children and his many pets.
April Sitterson
April was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and moved to Port St. Lucie in 2003.
She and her husband have 6 children and 4 dogs.
In her leisure time, April enjoys raising monarch butterflies and orchids.
Michelle Stabile
Veterinary Technician
Michelle is a second-year nursing student at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce. She was born and raised in Florida. She is the youngest of 3 children.
Michelle shares her home with 2 dogs and 2 turtles. She enjoys spending her leisure time spending quality time with her family and friends and reading.
Ashlyn Jimenez
Technician Assistant
Ashlyn Jimenez was born in San Diego, CA, and moved to Port Saint Lucie, FL in 2020. She worked and trained under a professional dog trainer and became a certified service and obedience dog trainer!
Growing up her mother studied Veterinary Medicine and worked in a cat hospital giving Ashlyn the opportunity as a child to help care for and save cats!
She has a fiancé, Anthony, and a stepdaughter, Ryleigh, they have a busy household with two cats, and one dog; they enjoy camping and fishing as a family!
Shannon
Shannon is from New Jersey. She moved to Port St. Lucie Florida in 2019. She has 3 pets of her own, 2 cats and 1 dog. In her spare time, she likes to go to the beach and bake.
Bella
Veterinary Technician
Bella was born in Poughkeepsie, NY, and moved to Port St.Lucie, Florida, as a baby. She graduated from Saint Lucie West Centennial High School in 2020. Bella is currently enrolled at St.Petersburg majoring in health sciences and veterinary technology. She lives with her boyfriend and two dogs- Sage and Dozer. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, doing puzzles, and hanging out with friends.
Jacqueline Caballero
Veterinary Technician
Jacqueline was born and raised in Greenacres, Florida, and moved to Port St. Lucie in 2022. She has always dreamed of working with animals. She attended HCI College and completed the Veterinary Assisting program. She enjoyed learning how to help animals. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her loved ones and her dog Max.
Bailey
Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
Meet our skilled Receptionists
Tammy McCarty
Receptionist
Tammy was born in Rochester, New York, and moved to Florida at the age of 3. She married the love of her life and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where she lived for 11 years. Tammy returned to Florida in 1999 where she lives with her son, his wife, and their 2 children.
Tammy enjoys spending her leisure time spoiling her beloved grandchildren. They share their home with 2 dogs and a toothless hamster.
Tiffany Rivera
Tiffany was born in West Palm Beach, FL and moved to Port St. Lucie in 2018. She lives with her boyfriend, son Brayden, daughter Skyler, and animal family members- The Black Pearl (Pearl) the pig, 2 cats Elmer and Trixie, Fish the Beta Fish, Felix the Leopard Gecko, and 3 dogs Chico, Baby, and Buddy. Tiffany loves to be outdoors with family and friends, or just at home watching movies and relaxing.
Cheryl Neraasen
Cheryl was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, as a baby in 1966. She graduated from Fort Pierce Central High School She shares her home with the LOVES of her life, her four great Danes (Galveston and Beaumont, Caliber, Glock, and Derringer). Cheryl is very fortunate to be able to bring one of them to work with her each day on a rotating basis.
Cheryl enjoys going on a family cruise each year and spending time with her daughter, Ashlee, her son in law, Glenn, and her two fantastic grandchildren, Kolby and Allie. Some of her favorite cruises were Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Jamaica, Beliz, and Nova Scotia. She is looking forward to a cruise to Copenhagen, Denmark one day.
Jenna Horn
Jenna Horn was born in Long Island, NY, and moved to Port Saint Lucie, FL 30 years ago. She went to Fort Pierce Westwood High School where she graduated with a Veterinary Assisting Degree in 2007. She’s been in the vet field for 14 years, working as a technician and receptionist. She has 2 Yorkies named Francesca and Jackson, and one hamster named Cinnabon. She loves spending all her time with her daughter, Kyleigh, going fishing, shopping, and visiting the beach.
Meet our skilled Kennel Staff
Tyler McCauley
Tyler McCauley was born and raised in Warminster, Pennsylvania. He went to William Tennent High School in Warminster. He grew up around many species of animals including dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles. He has been working with animals for 10 years as a kennel technician and groomer.
He moved to Florida 4 years ago with his family.
Tyler shares his home with 2 Doberman Pinschers, 2 Miniature Pinschers, and 2 Poodles.
He spends his leisure time doing home projects and cooking.
Jade Byerly
Jade Byerly was born and raised in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. She grew up with many species of animals such as dogs, cats, reptiles, horses, and birds. She has been working with animals for 3 years as a kennel technician. Jade shares her home with her 2 cats, bearded dragon, 2 pit bulls, and a goldfish. She spends her free time going on four-wheeler rides or relaxing on the beach.
Isabella
Kennel Technician
Danielle
Kennel Tech
Jayden
Kennel Tech
Meet Our Skilled Grooming Staff
Rae Jacker
Rae Jacker was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She is married and has 5 children. They share their home with 4 dogs. Rae worked 3 years as a veterinary technician. She has been grooming since 1987.
Yanelis Carrillo
Yani was born in Havana, Cuba. She has always had a great passion for animals and grew up in the company of many. Yani has had many animals at home, from hamsters, rabbits, dogs, cats, fish, turtles, guinea pigs, to pigs, goats, and chickens.
Yani wanted to pursue a career as a veterinary technician or an artist, but could get a scholarship at that time. Yani went to technical school and at the age of 17, graduated as a computer technician in Havana, Cuba. She moved to the USA in December of 2016, She feels blessed to be given the opportunity to work with animals at Kelly’s Animal Hospital. Being part of a team, she feels like being at home, surrounded by pets.
Yanelis has a miniature pinscher named Cookie, whom she adores.
Yani loves spending her leisure time in outdoor activities. She’s a lover of the ocean, and the marine world. Her passion for animals, commitment and dedication, remains an essential part of her life.
Anyelis Carrillo
Kennel Technician
Anyelis was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to the US in 2016. She has had pets since she was a child and she loves being around them. She cherishes spending time with her husband and son and their dog, Bo. She loves working at Kelly’s Animal Hospital where she is surrounded by all these wonderful animals.