Pet Name- Flash, Coconut & Fluffyzoom.

Bio- Dr. Rumore, the owner of Lake Seminole Animal Hospital, graduated from the veterinary school at Virginia Tech after finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. He started his veterinary career in rural Maryland and Pennsylvania working on dogs, cats, cattle, horses and other farm animals. He realized that the winters and the hooves were not for him and moved to Florida to focus on dog and cat medicine in 1998. His special interests include chronic medical diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, and arthritis, as well as internal medicine, pain control, surgery, pet-behavior, and acupuncture.

An active member of our community, he was the President of the Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Association in 2005, and a board member and past president of Pinellas Animal Foundation, a non-profit humane education organization. Dr. Rumore was awarded the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s Gold Star Award for service 5 times for his work in the community. He also received Veterinarian of the Year in 2001 from the SPCA of Tampa Bay, where he previously served on the medical advisory board and taught classes on pet first aid. Dr. Rumore helped found the non-profit Nell’s Fund that works to rehabilitate sick and injured animals.

Dr. Rumore has appeared on local television and radio stations, such as News Channel 13, Studio 10, as well as WQYK, WRBQ, WSJT and other stations, giving his expert opinion on current pet topics as well as pet advice. He has a regular column in Tampa Bay area newspapers. His pet-family includes his deaf white boxer named Coconut (from Florida Boxer Rescue), Flash (from Florida Collie Rescue), and Fluffyzoom the cat, adopted from Pinellas County Animal Service. He and his wife have 2 daughters, Gianna and Mia, who have two pet rats named Didgeridoo and Ratatouille.

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live?

When I was in vet school, I spent part of a summer at a free-ranging wildlife ranch in Texas working on antelope, giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, ibex, wildebeest, addax, kudu, etc. I also enjoyed working with dairy cattle – though that’s not really “wildlife.” I think having a farm would be relaxing.

Pet Name- Tiger and Blue

Bio- Dr. O’Connor graduated with distinction from the University of Edinburgh in 2011. After leaving Scotland, Dr. O’Connor moved to Costa Rica where she volunteered at a humane society in San Jose and provided spay/neuter services in rural communities. She then moved to São Paulo, Brazil to work with a small animal orthopedic specialist and gain experience in treating exotic and wildlife species.

In 2012, Dr. O’Connor moved to Delhi, India to teach medicine and surgery to the local doctors at the largest animal shelter in Asia. There she managed the shelter’s Intensive Care Unit and set up SNIP, a spay/neuter initiative program directed at sterilizing and vaccinating street dogs against rabies. After 6 months in India, Dr. O’Connor worked with the US Navy in a civil-military humanitarian mission providing veterinary services to the South Pacific islands.

Dr. O’Connor has worked in veterinary hospitals in Pinellas County since 2013. In her free time, Dr. O’Connor enjoys running and hiking with husband, Steve, and their two dogs, Tiger and Blue. Dr. O’Connor also enjoys treating and rehabilitating wildlife — particularly squirrels! She is available for consults in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Bio- Born and raised in the island of Puerto Rico Dr. Brenes-LaRoche can discuss your pets health in Spanish or English. She achieved a BS in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico and graduated in 2000 from Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine. She has practiced in Alabama, Texas, Connecticut and now Florida. Dr. LaRoche decided to enjoy the warm weather here in Florida and at the same time be closer to family.

When she is not at work she spends most of her time thinking about travel and food! Trying out different restaurants or cooking new recipes at home keeps her entertained. To relax she will sit down with her 8 year old chihuahua mix on her lap and enjoy a good book. On Sundays you will find her teaching little ones at church and afterwards likely at the beach. She is eager to meet clients here at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital and provide a good quality of life for their pets through preventive medicine and compassionate medical care.

Dr. Kristin Wrede received her BS in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and earned her DVM from Iowa State University. She has worked for multiple private practices across the state of Missouri. It has always been a goal for her and her husband to relocate to Florida, so they are excited to finally be living here. Dr. Kristin is looking forward to building her work family at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital.

When not at work, Dr. Kristin enjoys spending time with her two sons, Parker and Logan. She loves cooking, reading, traveling and spending time outdoors. She also shares her house with a Brussels Griffon named Gucci and a cat named Stew.

Pet Name- Roo, Fester, Leonard, Oliver & Lou

Bio- Amy’s love of all animals show in her compassionate nursing care. She has been at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital since 2008. Amy has a special interest in feline medicine and animal rescue. Amy’s pet family includes four rescue kitties; Roo, Oliver, Fester and Leonard. She also has Lou the tortoise.

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live?

I would move to Georgia, Tennessee, or North Carolina – near the mountains. I would enjoy the surrounding wildlife in all of those states.

Pet Name- Zoe, Wylie

Bio- Jessica has been providing care to clients and pets of Lake Seminole Animal Hospital since 2001. She transitioned from Client Care Specialist to Practice Manager in 2010. The best part of her job is getting to work with such a dedicated and compassionate team. All the dog kisses and kitty purrs are pretty great too! In 2020, after 10 years, she made the tough decision to resign from the Practice Manager position to be home with her family more. She will continue to work as a Client Care Specialist at the front desk on a part time basis. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach or park with her two children and husband. Her pet family includes an adopted Terrier mix named  Zoe and recently adopted Wylie, a Husky/Pit mix.

Can you recall (and describe) the day you decided to work with animals?

I saw the ad for a front desk position at LSAH and felt drawn to it. I was working at a human doctor’s office and wasn’t happy. As soon as I walked in the front door of LSAH I felt like I was home. The added bonus of getting to see dogs and cats all day sealed the deal.

Pet Name- Marley-Quinn, Cali & Kylo Ren Solo

Bio- Melissa was born and raised in Seminole. She has four children. Her pet family includes cats Kylo Ren Solo and Callie, and one dog, Marley-Quinn, a Maltese mix. Melissa really enjoys interacting with our clients and their pets. She likes learning something new in veterinary medicine everyday.

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live?

I would move to Australia if I could – to be close to more animals outside of my home so my children could enjoy them as well.

Pet Name- Martin & Leo.

Bio- Gina relocated from New York City in September 2006. She has been working as a Certified Veterinary Technician for 30 years. Tender, loving patient care is Gina’s main focus. Her animal family includes two cats, Martin and Leo.

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live?

I would live somewhere where the forest is my backyard and there would be a stream close by. I can’t choose a single animal but would enjoy seeing all the wildlife from the forest venture into my yard and play in the stream.

Pet Name- Kaya, the Carolina dog and Louie, the fluffy side-kick.

Bio- Dani joined our Lake Seminole Animal Hospital team in November 2010. Dani graduated in November 2008 with a degree in Applied Science for Veterinary Technology from Veterinary Technology Institute at International Business College in Indiana. She enjoys all aspects of the veterinary field. Her hobbies are yoga, gardening, cooking, the beach, hiking, camping, kayaking, going to the springs, and travelling!

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live? And what animal would you move for?

New Zealand- to be closer to the resident Orca’s that call New Zealand home!

Pet Name- Farley

Bio- Lisa has been at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital since 1993. In 2003 she received recognition from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association for Veterinary Team Member of the Year. Her special interests are in pet dentistry and wellness care. Lisa loves to spend time with her dog Farley.

Can you recall (and describe) the day you decided to work with animals?

The day I got hired here and started working with the boarding pets. I fell in love with the job and the animals and the rest is history!

Pet Name- Harley Quinn and Ivy

Bio- Kimme joined the team at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital in September 2009. Her special interests include surgery and interacting with our patients. Kimme is the happy owner of two Boston Terriers Harley Quinn and Ivy.

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live?

I would live in Hawaii to be closer to the diverse sea life especially sea turtles!

Pet Name- Bruno

Bio- Taylor became a team member at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital in 2012. She enjoys learning something new about veterinary medicine every day. Taylor is working towards her associates degree at St. Petersburg College. Bruno a kitten adopted from the SPCA is a part of her family.

If you could live anywhere to be closer to particular wildlife, where would you live?

I would love to live closer to the coral reef. I have always wanted to go visit and I have always been interested in marine life. I would move for the sharks and turtles.

Pet Name- Luca

Bio- Robyn joined LSAH in November 2017 and works full time as a kennel assistant. Her favorite hobby’s include listening to music and walking in the park. Robyn has worked with animals almost all her life! She has a domestic longhair cat named Luca.

Can you recall (and describe) the day you decided to work with animals?

Growing up I had a cat named Tasha, who one day curled up on my chest when I was in bed and just had a look and then started licking my face!