Meet Your Pet’s Emergency Team
Veterinarians
Diane Johnson, DVM
Dr. Johnson received her veterinary education at Ross University in 1994.
She has practiced emergency medicine since graduation and possesses a strong background in surgery, cardiology, and ultrasound. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, her menagerie of pets including horses, doing Bikram Yoga, and all kinds of water sports. Dr. Johnson’s latest hobby is camping in her 25 foot Airstream.
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Cassandra Van Nieuwal, DVM
Veterinary Medicine has always been a part of her life. Dr. Van Nieuwal is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and aunt who have been involved with equine care and veterinary medicine for many years. At age 3 she was already involved caring for animals and knew she wanted to become a veterinarian.
Dr. Van Nieuwal obtained her veterinary degree from Ross University in 2015 including her clinical year at Louisiana State University. While trained in all aspects of veterinary care, her strong interests are in exotic medicine and surgery, as well as endoscopy. In addition to her veterinary training at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Louisiana State University, she also has prior work and teaching experience at Bowling Green State University Herpetarium. Dr. Van Nieuwal is a mom to a plethora of pets including a rescue dog and a long haired cat from the Island of St. Kitts, three other rescue cats, a pitbull, a snake, and a turtle.
Having transplanted from Ohio to Florida, her free time includes running with her dogs, horseback riding, snowboarding, paddle boarding, jet skiing, and spending time with family and friends.
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Kaitlin Westberry, DVM
Dr. Westberry attended veterinary school at St. George’s University and finished her clinical year at North Carolina State University in 2018. She grew up in New Smyrna Beach and is excited to be back near her hometown. You may recognize her last name as several of her family members practice dentistry in the area as well!
Born and raised a Gator, she attended the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree and worked primarily in shelter and forensic veterinary medicine until her acceptance into veterinary school. Dr. Westberry traveled all over the United States with the ASPCA assisting in large scale cruelty cases. She has also spent time expanding her veterinary knowledge internationally in South Africa and the Galapagos Islands working with both domestic and exotic species.
When she’s not working Dr. Westberry enjoys boating, fishing, traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She currently has no pets of her own but has big plans for a farm full of animals when she settles down!
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Kathleen Massa, DVM
Dr. Massa started her career in animal care as a veterinary assistant/technician in Pennsylvania. She then attended St. George’s University and finished her clinical year at the University of Florida. Apart from Emergency medicine, she enjoys exotics medicine and ultrasonography. Dr. Massa loves to travel and spend times with friends and family, including her pets, Baby Ruth and Peppermint Patty.
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Veterinary Technicians and Assistants
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Lazara
Lazara “Laz” Davis has been working hard to complete her Veterinary Technician certification and loves the variety of cases seen at Animal Emergency Hospital Volusia. Laz shares her life and home with her husband, three adorable children, several dogs, and cats.
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Taylor
My name is Taylor. I’ve been working in the animal field for about 9 years. My experience includes work in animal shelters, animal sanctuaries, and vet clinics. I have multiple certifications in animal welfare, including an animal control officer certification. Currently, I am working on attaining my CVT degree. I have a pit bull and a one eyed snowshoe (cat) and I love foxes! I enjoy working with animals and clients to make their lives happier and healthier. This truly is my passion and I am happy to help animals in any way I can.
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Tiffany J.
Tiffany is from North Georgia. She has been in the veterinary field for about 6 years. Starting as a kennel tech at her local humane society and working very hard to become a veterinary assistant/technician, she has worked in the shelter setting and in the general practice setting, and is very excited to be a part of the emergency environment. She loves all animals and has 5 of her own. She hopes to someday become a veterinarian and plans to learn as much as possible here at AEHV while going through school. She loves clients and their pets and is always willing to help whenever she is needed. This career is her life and her passion, and she always makes the most of it!
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Lynn
I have worked in the veterinary field for over fifteen years, with the last five focused on emergency medicine. I have been married to my husband for fourteen years and we have three daughters, a son and three grandchildren. When I am not working at the hospital, I enjoy spending time with them. I also love horseback riding, fishing and gardening.
I love working in emergency medicine because it is so rewarding. I am thankful for the opportunity to become part of the AEHV family!
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Tiffany F.
Tiffany is originally from Charleston, SC and moved to Florida recently. She graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, CO in 2000 and has over 16 years working in veterinary medicine. She previously worked in a high volume 24 hour practice that included a board certified orthopedic surgical specialist, a large internal medicine department and a high volume emergency department. She enjoys the Florida sunshine, gardening, the beach and spending time with her numerous dogs and birds. She enjoys giving loving care to pets in need and is excited to be able to serve the Volusia/Flagler area’s pets and their families.
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Samantha
My name is Samantha, and I am originally from Baltimore, MD and moved to Palm Coast in March of 2018. I received my bachelor’s degrees in psychology and animal behavior in 2014 from Towson University. I have worked in the animal care industry for almost 10 years and love the satisfaction of seeing smiling faces on both pets and their owners. This field is truly my passion, and I am excited to be a part of the AEHV team! You can find me spending my free time with my boyfriend and our furry family, which includes two Presa Canarios, a German shepherd, and one cat that rules us all.
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Stephanie
Hi, I’m Stephanie and I have been in this field since my first job. Since I was in elementary school I wanted to work with animals. As the years passed I realized my passion was dogs. BIG dogs. I currently own 4 Dogues De Bordeaux (aka the “Turner and Hooch” dogs) among French Bulldogs. What can I say- I love the smushed faces! I have had my hand in showing and owned the #6 bitch in the country in 2016. She also placed in the infamous Westminister dog show! Competing in other “sports” with them is also something my husband and I love to do. I breed DDB and French Bulldogs, but my passion outside the show ring, and of course my job, is Neonatal care, birthing and whelping litters of puppies (which usually included cleaning a lot of poop!) Other than that my husband, and our brood enjoy fishing, boating, and spending time with friends out by the fire.
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Crystal
Hello, my name is Crystal. I love working as a veterinary assistant. I love animals and have many pets of my own. I am currently in college studying and my dream is to one day follow in the footsteps of my aunt and become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
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Jamie
Hi! I’m Jamie and I’m a veterinary assistant here at Animal Emergency Hospital Volusia. Since I was a little girl I’ve always wanted to work with animals and become a veterinary technician. Starting in the fall I will be working towards a degree as a Certified Veterinary Technician. I love animals and I love working here.
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Client Services
Joshua
Joshua started as a veterinary assistant in early 2016. He is working towards a career in veterinary hospital management. While working at AEHV, he has learned valuable skills that he is applying to his career goal. He also has pets at home and enjoys learning how to keep his pets safe and healthy. Joshua holds himself to high standards and cares deeply for the welfare of AEHV patients.
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Joan
Hi, I am Joan! I moved to New Smyrna Beach in 2012 and I am finally in the field that I have so wanted to be in since I was a little girl. I am currently studying to become a veterinary assistant. Growing up in rural Florida I got to see and play various animals while horseback riding or walking around. Some of the unusual ‘pets’ that I was able to learn about and release were an armadillo and a mole named Mr. Magoo just to mention a few. While living in Miami for many years I raised and bred cockatiels. I always found strays and strays found me so that I could find their fur-ever home.
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Administration
Amanda Zachrich
Amanda has worked with animals for over 15 years. With a bachelor of science degree in biology and an associate’s of applied science degree in Veterinary Technology, her practical experience spans work at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, as well as several primary care clinics and emergency/specialty hospitals. Her true calling is emergency which is why she was drawn to AEHV – to lead a team that is 100% focused on caring for animals and their families when faced with an illness or injury. Amanda is uniquely experienced to serve the needs of a 24/7 hospital and understands the challenges teams face when any day or moment can require a complete pivot. It’s this level of adaptability with a sense of calm that makes her fit right in. Of course, her own little zoo at home is further indication that she really couldn’t work anywhere else than the animal health care profession!
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Sunni Willis
Sunni is a recent transplant from Massachusetts. She is a certified veterinary technician (CVT) and has over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine and hospital management.
Sunni has two grown children, her daughter has followed in her footsteps and is a veterinary technician and her son is finishing his graduate degree with plans to be a history teacher. She shares her home with her husband, and three dogs, a mixed breed named Disco and two Chihuahuas named John Gotti and Violet.
When not working Sunni likes to volunteer for animal rescue groups. She is passionate about finding every dog a forever home. She is also an avid football fan, always rooting her hometown New England Patriots!
Sunni is excited to be part of the team at AEHV and is looking forward to exploring all that the Florida lifestyle has to offer.
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Frank
My name is Frank, and my work is never done. My honey -do- lists are never short, but I always come through. I am so happy to be able to provide support to such amazing doctors and staff so that we can keep the hospital operational 24 hours a day (hurricanes included). I love animals; I have a farm with cats, chickens, goats- and to protect us all my puppy Apollo the Maremma Abruzzo Sheepdog.