Shores Animal Hospital - Your Gainesville Veterinarians

The Shores Animal Hospital team has provided the best care for your best friends in Gainesville since 1974. Get to know our Gainesville veterinarians and vet team.

Our Gainesville animal clinic has an exceptional staff of talented veterinarians, vet technicians, vet assistants, kennel technicians, groomers and client care employees who look forward to welcoming you and your four-legged friends to our Shores Animal Hospital family!

As active members of the Gainesville community, we look forward to meeting you soon!

The Late Stephen Shores, Founder

Dr. Stephen Shores passed away in April 2016.  Learn more about our Dr. Stephen Shores Lifetime Achievement Veterinary Care Fund.

Dr. Shores was the founder of Shores Animal Hospital in 1974. He graduated from Texas A & M University in 1964 with honors in the top 10% of his class.  Over his long career, Dr. Shores invented and secured patent for many pet products. Dr. Shores served as Past-President of Alachua County Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and was active in the American Veterinary Medical Association, serving on the legislative committee. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association.  Dr. Shores was an active member of the Gainesville community. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and five children, four grandsons, and two granddaughters and three dogs.

Veterinarians

Dr. Brenda Ortiz, Veterinarian (English & Spanish-speaking)

Dr. Brenda Ortiz graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and moved to Gainesville and joined our Shores Animal Hospital family in 2000.  She is originally from Puerto Rico and can communicate with our Spanish-speaking clients.  Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Alachua County Veterinary Medical Association and has special interest in dermatology.  Dr. Ortiz lives in Gainesville and is married to Oscar Hernandez and has one daughter and one son and 3 dogs and 2 cats.

Dr. Alexandra Meier, Veterinarian

Dr. Alexandra Meier joined our Shores Animal Hospital family in 2016.  Dr. Meier graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville in 2015. She was raised in California and attended Cornell University to receive her undergraduate degree in both Animal Science and Biology with an emphasis in Animal Physiology. After veterinary school, Dr. Meier completed a one-year veterinary specialty and emergency veterinary medicine internship in North Carolina. She recently moved back to Gainesville with her goofy Standard Poodle and mischievous cat. Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery, pet dentistry, and client education. 

Dr. Breann Jolliffe, Veterinarian

We welcomed Dr. Breann Joliffe to our Shores Animal Hospital family in 2017.  Dr. Joliffe is a graduate of Western Michigan University and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Mrs. Karen Hardcastle, CVPM, Practice Manager - Business Development, HR

Karen is our Practice and Office Manager and has been a faithful employee of Dr. Shores and Shores Animal Hospital for over 30 years. She has many years experience with animal care from client service, technician and throughout the vet hospital and is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. She has previously owned a kennel, where many of her canines were award-winning show dogs. Karen also has raised and cared for many types of avian friends and her most current endeavor is raising and showing of a Japanese fish commonly called "Koi". There is much knowledge for her to share whether it might be about a dog, cat, bird and even fish. She currently shares her Starke, Florida home with her husband, dog, 2 birds and too many Koi to count.

Brandy Hardcastle, Practice Manager- Customer Service, Inventory, Accounts receivable

Brandy has been with Shores Animal Hospital for 23 years and has a tremendous amount of training as an animal dietitian.  Speak with her to help understand how diet, as well as preventative medicine, is in your pet's best interest.  She also has a great deal of knowledge in the computer world, making our vet hospital run smoothly with modern technology.  Brandy lives in Starke with her husband, 2 daughters, 3 dogs and 2 cats, 8 birds and so on.

Sheri Snyder - Customer Service Team Leader

Customer Service Team

Becca Allen 

Alexis Coughlin

Mara Gordon

Veterinary Technicians- English and Spanish Speaking technicians on staff

Prestige Pet Resort & Spa Staff

Debi Leed, Prestige Pet Resort & Spa Guest Services

Debi has many years of experience in the animal field and is a great asset to have in our facility.  She shares her home with her husband, 7 Australian Shepherd's, and 3 cats.

Prestige Pet Resort & Spa Guest Activities Staff

Michael Williams

Amanda Ledwith

Miranda Morales

Lana Mati

Kristin Timmons

Marina Welde

Jeffrey Richman, Certified Master Groomer

Serena Peters, Pet Groomer