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Iaon Cottrell: Practice Manager
Iaon came to us from a varied background of computer and
mechanical skills as well as management experience. He is self-taught in computer hardware, software, networks,
and web design.
Iaon has been Practice Manager since 2003 and
has done extensive updating of our computer network. He has added WiFi internet access for our clients to use, upgraded
our entire xray to a completely digital system, and is in the process of converting the entire hospital to a paperless medical
records system. He is greatly responsible for West End becoming a cutting-edge general practice. He wears many hats, including
Practice Manager, IT Guy, Handyman, and General Go-To Guy.
He is a dedicated Operation Catnip volunteer and recently had the honor of writing a new
set of protocols for Operation Catnip surgical assistants.
His personal interests include poker, composing
electronic music, digital film making, fencing, paintball, golf and windsurfing.
He has been married to Dr.Deborah Cottrell since Feb of 2004 and their pet family consists
of a Doberman named Ramona and a Miniature Pinscher named Katie and a Koi Pond with 25 wait 24.... no 23.... ummmm I
mean 22 koi, and one hawk.
 
Thomas Hester: Personnel Manager/ Technician
Originally from Jacksonville, where he obtained a degree from Florida
Community College, Thomas moved to Gainesville to attend UF, where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Zoology in December
2005, and then a Master's Degree in Forensic Toxicology in 2008. He will be attending the Ross University College of Veterinary
Medicine in January of 2009.
He donates much of his personal time to assisting with Helping Hands Rescue adoptathons.He also enjoys spending time with his wife Marsha, golfing, watching and
playing sports, and taking care of two Chihuahuas named Kane and Amigo, a Munchkin cat named Semper, and a tarantula.
Maya Schirmer: Receptionist/Veterinary Technician
Although Maya volunteered for many years previous, she started work
as a paid employee in the spring of 2004. She works as both a receptionist and veterinary technician. She attends Santa Fe
Community College and will receive her AA degree in the spring of 2008. She plans to continue her studies at UF and eventually
attend the College of Veterinary Medicine.
In her spare time, Maya enjoys photography, playing Texas Hold'Em, golfing and volunteering with
Helping Hands Rescue. She owns one cat named Billy Madison.
Erin Dickerson: Receptionist/ Veterinary Technician
Erin began work at West End as a receptionist
in August 2005. She is currently attending UF with a major in Biology and a minor in Zoology. She is a member of the College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honors Program. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree, she hopes to continue on the
UF's College of Veterinary Medicine to become a small animal veterinarian.
When she's not studying
or working at West End, she can be found at the barn, training various breeds of horses for competition in multiple disciplines
from dressage to barrel racing.
Erin has three beloved pets: a Pembroke Corgi named Cody, a longhaired
Dachshund named Jessie, and a gray Tabby cat named Tyler.
Anna Coker: Veterinary Technician
Anna began work at West End in October of 2007. She comes to us with several years experience and
always has a smile and a kind word for everyone. She has a passion for animal care and wants to make it a career.
She spends her free time with AJ, her husband as of May 2008. Also a big part
of her life are her two beloved Pit Bulls, Jazzi T and Ace Boogy. Jazz, who is all white, and Ace, who is jet black,
both have a repertoire of entertaining tricks. These pets are proof that Pit Bulls are products of their environment. Both
well-behaved and well-socialized, with opposite personalities, they complete the Coker family.
Ben Brunson: Veterinary Technician/Kennel Technician
Ben began working at West End in April 2006 as a kennel technician, and now divides his time between
being an animal caretaker and a veterinary technician. He plans to graduate from UF in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in
Animal Science and hopes to be accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2009. He volunteers much of his
free time to Helping Hands Rescue and the Shelter Medicine Program at the UF veterinary college.
In what spare time he has left, he loves to SCUBA dive, play racquetball, and read.
His pet family consists of a Pit Bull mix named Sweet Pea and two cats named Jasmine and Autumn,
all of whom were rescued and adopted.
Michelle Holder: Receptionist
Michelle has a long history with West End, originally starting as a volunteer in the summer of 1992,
and then as a kennel technician in the fall of the same year. She worked her way to becoming a technician and then a receptionist.
She worked with us until Feb 2001, when she left us to raise a family. She took a 6 1/2 year leave of absence and then returned
to West End in June 2007.
Michelle has been involved with animals, both domestic and wild, her whole life. She has raised
raccoons, squirrels, possums, and bunnies in addition to her own two children. She currently owns a Golden Retriever named
Daisy and two cats named Stella and Sonny. She spends all of her time away from the office with her kids and husband Justin.
 Shaye Olmstead: Receptionist
Shaye was a long-time volunteer at Volusia and Alachua County Humane
Societies, and she has experience with horses both as a barn manager and as a casual rider. She is a dedicated animal advocate
who spends much of her time outside of West End as coordinator for Operation Catnip and assisting Helping Hands Rescue.
She earned her B.A. in International Affairs with concentrations in Anthropology, Economics, Geography
and Political Science with a minor in Computer Science. She's taking a break from academics before going to law school for
Environmental Law.
When not caring for her cat family she is motorcycling country roads or geeking around with projects
at home.
Kalee McElroy: Kennel Technician
Kalee hails from Chiefland and is currently a student at Santa Fe Community College. She intends
to transfer to UF by the spring of 2009. She has a background in agriculture and raised hogs and steers in the FFA while in
high school. She's majoring in Animal Science and hopes to attend the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.
She enjoys horseback riding, fishing, and spending time with her boyfriend Trevor. She has two Chihuahuas
named Buttercup and Ellie May, and a Rottweiler named Lady.
Frankie Visconti: Kennel Technician
Frankie attends Newberry High School and began as a volunteer at West End in the summer
of 2006, then earned her way to a paid position in the summer of 2008.
When she's not at school or work, she volunteers her time assisting Helping Hands Rescue at adoptathons
at PetSmart. She hopes to attend the University of Florida and become a veterinarian.
Her pets are a giant Doberman named Thor, two rats named Sunny and Shiner, a hamster named Bear,
and a turtle named Tony.
Kerron Williams: Kennel Technician
Kerron began working at West End in April 2006 as a kennel technician, and is now in training to be a veterinary technician
when not being an animal caretaker. Kerron has been around animals most of his life, including working at his family’s
farm. Kerron truly loves and enjoys being around animals but most of all his blue Pit Bull named Buttons, who has a wonderful
temperament. In his spare time he enjoys working out at the gym, playing basketball, and spending time with his friends and
family.
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