Meet The Big Paws Team

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Meet The Big Paws Team

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Doctors

Dr. Erin Siems

Veterinarian
Dr. Erin Siems was born in Ohio but spent most of her childhood in Virginia. Even from a young age, Dr. Siems always had a passion for science and animals. Dr. Siems realized her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian when she graduated with honors from Ross University in St. Kitts, West Indies. She then spent two years at a community practice in rural Wytheville, VA before moving to St Petersburg, Fl for a position as an emergency veterinarian (and to get away from the snow!). For the past 7 years, Dr Siems has been practicing in the Bradenton area and has truly found a place to call home. While she loves all aspects of veterinary medicine, she holds a special place in her heart for geriatric medicine, making sure the golden years are truly golden. She also has a love for and excels at small animal medicine and surgery. She feels fortunate for the special bond she has formed with her patients and clients over the years and looks forward to making more memories at her new facility.

In her free time, Dr Siems enjoys hanging out with her husband and two “kids” Shaka, a boxer and Arnold, a boerboel mastiff. She also enjoys paddleboarding, running and creating culinary experiences in her kitchen.
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Dr. Nina Owens

Veterinarian
Dr. Nina Owens grew up in a home with a mother who had one rule; "You can have as many animals as you like as long as I can't smell them." Dr. Owens took that rule and ran with it, filling her bedroom to the brink with a snake, chinchilla, hamsters, turtles, rabbits, lovebirds, and fire bellied newts. By the age of 5, she knew that there was no other option for her life than to become a veterinarian. After graduating from Hamilton College with a degree in Biology, she went to the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with honors in 1998. She spent 14 years in Cincinnati working in small animal hospitals and raising her family before moving to California and working as a relief vet. She and her husband just recently moved to Lakewood Ranch. She is working towards her certification in small animal acupuncture and has special interests in preventive care, internal medicine, dermatology, and the needs of senior pets.

After 20 years of working with people and their pets, she remains in awe of the incredible strength of the human-animal bond. Her interests include hiking, trying her hand at wildlife photography, and visiting her 2 grown children.
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Dr. Natalie Paul

Veterinarian
Dr Paul grew up in suburban Toronto, Canada, and finally managed to get a cat at the age of 7. Her mother was all for it, but her father took a lot of convincing. Since age 7, she has never been without a cat or two and has also enjoyed finally owning a dog for the past ten years, a lovable Goldendoodle. Despite her lifelong love for animals, she did not make the decision to pursue veterinary medicine until she was in college majoring in psychology. While taking a required biology class, her interest in science took off, and her plans changed! Dr Paul graduated from Tufts University in 2003, worked as an associate vet in Seattle for five years, then after a three year "mom" break, returned to work back in Toronto, Canada for nine years, both as a relief vet and an associate. In 2020, Dr Paul and her family moved to Florida, where she has been working as a relief vet for Indevets for the past five years.

Although she enjoys the freedom of relief work, Dr Paul likes to settle in and work regularly at her favorite clinics. She has been a regular relief vet at Big Paws for the past year and loves the staff and great clients! Dr Paul has special interests in internal medicine, oncology, and geriatric medicine. She is planning on taking an ultrasound course in the near future.
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“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

-Jane Goodall

Staff

Whitney

Hospital Manager

Whitney has been in the veterinary field for over 15 years. She graduated from St. Petersburg College where she attended the Veterinary Technician program. She now lives in Wimauma with her husband Branden and 2 children Everly and Ezra. They share their home with a Shih-Tzu they call Cheeky, a French Mastiff named Hot Sauce and a cat named Kit. She also decorates her property with 2 horses named Mako and Doolie and a mini named Buzz lightyear. When she isn’t out and about with her kiddos she prefers to be a home-body, enjoying her family and animals in her own back yard.

Hali

Technician Manager

Hali was born in Upstate NY and moved to Florida in high school. Hali has always loved animals and started working at doggy daycares right out of high school. Since then she has been in the veterinary field for 2 years and is currently enrolled in school to become a licensed veterinary technician. Hali has a pitbull mix named Cooper. In her free time she likes to cuddle on the couch with Cooper and watch hockey.

Cindy

Reception Manager

Cindy was born and raised here in Sarasota, Florida. She has been in the veterinary field since she was 15 years old and has always had a passion for helping animals. Cindy is married to her best friend Donny of 28 years, and they have three amazing sons, Chris, Austin and Tyler. She loves serving in her church and really enjoys outdoor activities such as electric race cars, shooting air rifles and offshore fishing. Cindy is obsessed with all things Grinch! During the holidays, especially Christmas, you can find her decorating beyond belief. Cindy has 3 beautiful and very pampered English Bulldogs, Dexie who is her heart dog, Daisy and Dee who are littermates along with one frisky kitty Moo. Cindy is one of our Receptionists, so make sure to say hello and talk about all things Bulldog!!

Joanne

Receptionist

Joanne was born in Fort Lee, Virginia and moved several times until her father retired from the military and settled in Federal Point, FL when she was 8. She enjoyed growing up in the county where she developed a love of nature and animals. Joanne spent many years as a stay at home mom raising her three children Patrick (Go Bulls!), Robyn (Go Gators!) and Conner (Go Lions!) and is proud of her boys in blue-both her son and husband work for the Manatee County Sherriff’s Office. She is happy to be working at the front desk at Big Paws with all her coworkers who she loves so much! In her free time, Joanne enjoys being with her family and taking care of her 2 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats and 2 grand goats.

Jaime

Receptionist

Jaime was born and raised in South Florida. She attended college at UCF in Orlando. Shortly after she moved to Atlanta, GA and started her veterinary career as a Receptionist in 2022. She quickly got tired of the cold weather so she moved back to Sarasota, to be closer to the Florida beaches. Some of her favorite things are going to the beach and amusement parks. Jaime shares her home with 2 Chihuahua’s named Luna and Lily who are her pride and joy. She enjoys spending time with them whenever she isn’t at work.

Elizabeth

Receptionist

Elizabeth was born and raised in Illinois (close to the Saint Louis area) and grew up watching her uncle work with animals as a veterinarian. While helping out on her grandparents’ farm, she fell in love with animals. Elizabeth moved to Florida three years ago with her three kids, Brett (23), Jalynn (17) and Zaakree (15). She also shares her home with 2 fur-babies, Emmit the Bulldog mix and Elexis a black and tan mix. After her move she began her career in veterinary medicine. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and playing cards with friends. Elizabeth is also part of a bowling league on Sunday’s. We are so excited to have her as part of the team!

Athena

Veterinary Technician

Athena moved to Florida when she was 6 years old from Maryland. She has always had an interest in animals. Athena starter her career walking dogs at a vet clinic in high school. Since then, she has worked with military and police dogs and spent some time at an animal shelter before starting her technician career. Athena went to Auburn University and graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s in animal science. Athena just moved back home after being gone for 6 years! We welcomed Athena to the Big Paws crew in November of 2023. Athena shares her home with a kitty named Mei who she found outside at just 4 weeks old.

Monica

Veterinary Technician

Monica has been a Veterinary Technician for over 12 years. She has always loved being around animals. Monica grew up in Indiana on a farm raising horses, pigs and cows. She used to show horses when she was younger and did 4-H for 9 years. Monica loves watching horse races and even betting on them. She has been all over Florida and Indiana to visit different tracks. Her family also owns racehorses in Kentucky. Monica has a twin sister named Maegan and they are inseparable! She lives with an array of animals at home including 3 retired racehorses, 2 dogs named Gidget and Jubi, 10 cats, 6 ball python snakes, 1 bearded dragon, 1 albino leopard gecko, 4 turtles, 2 packman frogs and a 150-gallon fish tank. We are glad to have Monica as part of the team!

Joey

Veterinary Technician

Joey moved to Florida from eastern PA in April of 2022 to attend State College of Florida. He is currently earning his Associates degree for computer science but is now thinking about switching to something in the veterinary medical field! Joey has 6 brothers and sisters and one of them being his twin sister who is also his best friend. He has 1 cat named Precious who enjoys looking out the lanai and tripping him every chance she gets!

Gabby

Veterinary Assistant

Gabby is a recent USF graduate with a major in Biology and minor in Public Health. She has always loved working with animals and plans to continue in the veterinary field in the future. Gabby was born and raised in Florida and loves the area with all her heart, especially the people and community she has been a part of. Gabby has recently applied to 15 vet schools! We can’t wait to hear where she ends up! Gabby shares her home with two dogs, Barkley and Mia and two cats Dave and Buster. The Big Paws crew is happy to work with Gabby for as long as we can!