Westlake Animal Hospital

39564 US Hwy. 19 North
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

(727)938-1575

www.westlakeanimalhospital.net

Meet Our Team at Westlake Animal Hospital in Tarpon Springs, FL


Our Doctors

Dr. Hassel, DVM welcomes you and your pet to Westlake Animal Hospital!

Dr. Byron Hassell:

Dr. Byron Hassell is a Clearwater native who attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Once gaining his degree, he then started his internship with Hollywood Animal Hospital, a 15-doctor practice in Hollywood Florida.

Dr. Hassell joined our team in 1990, and has since gained special interest in dermatology, internal medicine, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He is a member of the FVMA, PCVMA, and AVMA and is also currently on the advising board at Tarpon Springs High School Veterinary Academy. 

During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two beautiful daughters, taking care of his 2 dogs, and working on his small farm with his cows.


Dr. Erin Morgan, DVM welcomes you and your pet to Westlake Animal Hospital!

Dr. Erin Morgan:

Erin Morgan moved to Florida in 2008 from her hometown of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.  She received an Animal Science degree from the University of Maryland, and her doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech. She is a member of AVMA and FMVA. She enjoys all of veterinary medicine, but has particular interests in internal medicine and dentistry. 

She resides in Tarpon Springs with her husband, 2 young daughters, son, and 2 dogs. In her free time she enjoys playing with her children outdoors and doing anything that involves the warm Florida sun, sand and water. 


Dr. Nyurka Ojeda, DVM welcomes you and your pet to Westlake Animal Hospital!

Dr. Nyurka Ojeda:

Dr. Nyurka Ojeda was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and grew up in Winter Park, FL. 

Upon completion of her internship in 2007, she began working at Westkale Animal Hospital. She graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and completed a general rotating internship at Cornell University Hospital for Animals in 2007. 

She is a member of FVMA and AVMA. Along with preventative care, she has a special interest in dermatology and hospice care.

Outside of work she enjoys boating, going to the beach, and walking nature trails with her husband, French Bulldog Monty, and Rhodesian Ridgeback Memphis.


Dr. Felicite Waterman, DVM welcomes you and your pet to Westlake Animal Hospital!

Dr. Felicite Waterman:

Dr. Felicite Waterman is originally from Southern Illinois, and attended University of Georgia where she earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine. 

After graduation in 2007 she then relocated to Florida and began her career with Westlake Animal Hospital. 

She lives with her husband, daughter, son, and two dogs. During her free time she enjoys reading and spending time outside. She is a member of the AVMA and FVMA.


Dr. AJ DunnDr. AJ Dunn

Dr. Dunn grew up in a very small town in New Hampshire. He served 6 years in the Marine Corps before heading off to college to get a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science for University of New Hampshire, and then his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. 

He practiced veterinary medicine in Upstate NY for 15 years prior to relocating to FL. He is a member of the AVMA, FVMA, and AABP.

In his spare time he enjoys kayaking, skydiving, and never having to shovel snow again. He lost his last Border Collie 'Randi' to liver cancer, but is greeted at the door nightly by his cat 'TK'. 


Dr. Colby Burns, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR

Dr. Colby Burns, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR

Dr. Burns graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a minor in Chemistry and is a 2006 graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Tufts Cummings College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Burns completed her small animal surgery residency at The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, where she also received a Master’s of Science Degree.

In 2012 and 2013, Dr. Burns became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, respectfully.

Dr. Burns is an active member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, AO Foundation, American Veterinary Medical Association, Florida Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology and Veterinary Wound Management Society. Dr. Burns has received certificates of completion for AO ASIF Advance Techniques in Small Animal Fracture Management, AO ASIF Principles of Small Animal Fracture Management and BioMedtrix Total Hip Replacement courses. Dr. Burns has also published research articles in peer reviewed veterinary journals including Veterinary Surgery, VCOT, JAVMA, AJVR and Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Burns received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s national Teaching Excellence Award in the Clinical Sciences in 2009 and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Teaching Excellence Award for Clinical Sciences in 2009 and 2010. Dr. Burns’s clinical interests include joint replacement, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgical oncology and wound management.


Receptionists

Cindy

Cindy

Cindy has been working in the veterinary field since 1992. She has worked as a receptionist and a technician at two other small hospitals, and joined our team in February 2016. 

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her seven grandchildren. 


Collette

Collette

Collette began working in the veterinary field in 1991 and joined the Westlake team in
April 2018. In her free time she enjoys boating, going to the gym and the beach. She has two grown sons and resides in Palm Harbor.


Aidan

Aidan

Aidan has been working and volunteering at Westlake since July 2016. He is a student at Palm Harbor University High School in the International Baccalaureate Program. Aidan intends to attend John Hopkins Medical School and attain a PhD in Neurology. He has 3 dogs of his own. 


Karlie

Karlie

Karlie has worked at Westlake Animal Hospital since 2017. She loves being a receptionist and working with clients. She is trying to get into veterinary school and is very dedicated to her studies. 


Deena Deena

Deena was born and raised in Syracuse New York. She recently moved to Clearwater Florida. She started her journey working with animals at the CNY SPCA in 2009 and has been in the industry ever since. In her free time, she loves attending concerts, performing at open mic nights, and enjoying the awesome weather with her 2 dogs and 2 cats.


Linda Linda

Linda was born and raised in Florida and has been working in the animal industry for 5 years. She has a love for the outdoors, gardening, and music. In her free time, she enjoys being with family and friends, her two cats, one dog, creating memories.


Technicians

Dayna

Dayna

Dayna has been working at Westlake since 2004 after receiving her Veterinary Technician Certification from St. Petersburg College (SPC). 

She enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies as well as staying active and doing anything outdoors. She has two cats, Sierra and Elsa, and two dogs Lucy and Lily. She feels she is lucky to have been able to fulfill her dream of working with animals here at Westlake Animal Hospital for over 15 years.


Joanna

Joanna

Joanna started at Westlake Animal Hospital in 2011.

She has 3 cats named Slippers, Gargamel and Lily and 2 dogs named Olive and Darcy. She grew up on a little farm in Michigan and someday hopes to have a small farm of her own.  She has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1994 and was blessed with 3 beautiful children. She loves her church, family and friends, and she enjoys health and fitness (most of the time), and the beach. She loves fast cars, big trucks and music. She is thankful that God created animals as she truly loves them!   


RachelRachel

Rachel is a certified veterinary technician that joined the Westlake family in 2008.  She received her A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology in 2010 and has been a member of the NAVTA since then.  Rachel has a passion for making a difference within the veterinary industry and being there for pets and their owners during difficult times.  Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her 2 children, boating, and biking. 


Katye

Katye

Katye was born and raised in Chicago and went to school in Chicago and Boston. She has been a veterinary technician for 13 years, joining Westlake in 2016. She managed an animal shelter in northern Chicago for many years before managing an emergency and exotic practice for 5 years.  Her passion is volunteering for and running rescue organizations, which she has done for over 20 years. She always has foster pets available for adoption.  Katye volunteers with various organizations such as Pasco and Pinellas Animal Control, Animal Luvers Dream Rescue, McGough Nature Park in Largo with large birds of prey and veterans with PTSD through the AVA program.

She has a special needs Chihuahua-dachshund mix and pitbull mix, senior Chihuahua mix, and 3 senior ca ts. She loves volunteering with animals and people with disabilities, kayaking, going on nature adventures and exploring new places. 


Tracey

Tracey

Tracey grew up in Delaware, lived in Hawaii, and then moved to Florida in 2015 to be closer to her family. She has been a veterinary technician for over 7 years. She joined the Westlake family in September 2018 as a veterinary technician and enjoys being part of the team. 

She strives to always help animals and their owners, and has a special place in her heart for senior pets. In her spare time, Tracey enjoys going to the beach, reading, and spending time with her family. 


Sara

Sara

Sara has been working at Westlake Animal Hospital since 2017. She graduated from SPC's Veterinary Technician Program in 2015 and became a certified veterinary technician. She is studying to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology. 

She has 2 cats at home named Minnie and Daisy. On her days off she loves paddle boarding or taking trips to Disney World. 


Megan

Megan

Megan was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio and has had a strong passion for animals since she was a little girl. She has been working in the veterinary industry for six years.

In her free time, she enjoys running with her Chihuahua mix Princess and fishing off the Dunedin Causeway.


Managers

Amy, Head Receptionist

Amy, Head Receptionist

Amy has worked as a receptionist with Westlake Animal Hospital since November 2015. She is dedicated to helping our clients and their pets. She moved from Indiana in 2010 and currently lives in Palm Harbor with her 2 sons, 2 dogs Maxx and Bailey, and her 2 cats Sterling and Delilah. 

Amy enjoys traveling, going to the beach, reading, and spending time with her family. 


Jen, Office ManagerJen, Office Manager

Jen originally started at Westlake Animal Hospital and Inn in 2004. She managed the Animal Inn from 2004-2008. She has worked in every aspect of the business from receptionist, tech help, and management. She has a bachelors degree in literature from the University of South Florida, and a bachelors degree Exceptional Student Education from St. Petersburg College. Along with working at Westlake, Jen was a middle school social studies teacher for five years. Now she is the Practice Manager of Westlake Animal Hospital. In her free time, Jen loves to spend time with her daughter and many pets.


Amber, Head Technician

Amber, Head Technician

Amber is one of Westlake’s certified veterinary technicians and also the head technician. She has been at Westlake since 2015. Amber graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry in 2000. She then moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 2003 where she attended the St. Petersburg College Veterinary Technology program and graduated in 2005 with an associated degree in veterinary technology. She also became certified in 2005.

Amber enjoys spending her spare time with her husband Chris, her young son Jase and her 3 dogs Jeigo, Coconut, and Chesnut.


Gayle, Bookkeeper

Gayle, Bookkeeper

Gayle has worked in the office at Westlake Animal Hospital since 2014. She graduated from the University of South Florida and is married to Dr. Dennis Geagan, one of the Westlake veterinarians. 

She and Dennis have two sons, three grandchildren, and three dogs. They are currently enjoying being empty nesters and doing more traveling.

 

 

Eunice (Our Hospital Cat):

Eunice (Our Hospital Cat):

On a cold day in January, 2017, a bedraggled long haired calico cat was found at The Long Center in Clearwater, by Dr. Waterman's husband and staff. No one knows her age for sure, but she is a wise and mature, and sometimes sassy, senior kitty. Eunice is often behind the scenes at Westlake, giving love to the staff and sleeping in the doctors' chairs.

We are sad to announce that Eunice passed away in March 2020.