Our Team

Molly Pearson

DVM

Dr. Molly Pearson has been caring for Gainesville area pets since graduating from the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. During that time, she worked at Gainesville Animal Hospital for 4 years and Magnolia Animal Hospital in Ocala for 8 years. In 2000, she opened her own practice in scenic Micanopy, FL, and has been enjoying the clientele and their animals ever since. Dr. Pearson has a special interest in rabbits, reptiles, and canine reproduction. At home, she lives with 2 dogs, 3 cats, and several tortoises. With ties to both Alachua and Marion counties, she feels strongly about supporting local businesses and looks forward to furthering that relationship with the community and their pets for many years to come.

Kelly Berisha

DVM

Dr. Kelly Berisha moved from Sarasota, FL to Gainesville in 2001 to attend the University of Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences with honors in 2004 and graduated from UF veterinary school with honors in 2008. She has practiced in the Gainesville area since that time. Dr. Berisha enjoys all aspects of private practice, but her areas of special interest include dentistry and feline medicine.

She lives in Gainesville with her husband Mark, her two young children, Kol (age 4) and Kira (age 2), as well a pair of sweet old cats (Sissy and Pod Cat). Her favorite things about living in this area are the wide open spaces, the friendly local culture, and being at the heart of the Gator Nation. In her free time she enjoys gardening, traveling to historic cities, local festivals, and doing anything outdoors.

Laura Kotinsley

DVM

Dr. Kotinsley graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Public Health. She and her husband have two young boys, a rescued Pit Bull named Duffy, and two red footed tortoises. In her spare time, Dr. Kotinsley enjoys crafting, cooking, listening to music, and going to the beach with family and friends.

Marcia Aufmuth

DVM

Dr. Marcia Aufmuth, a resident of Micanopy for over 30 years, graduated with honors from the UF Veterinary School in 1994. She then returned to her home state of Illinois for a yearlong internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Illinois’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Returning to Micanopy, she practiced in Ocala where she and Dr. Pearson were associate colleagues. Dr. Marcia happily joined the Micanopy Animal Hospital staff in 2019. She has a special interest in oncology, cytology, and internal medicine.

Marcia and her husband of 35 years, Joe who is currently Micanopy’s Mayor, have had many pets that included boa constrictors, ferrets, cats and dogs (many of them at the same time!). Currently they have one pet, an adopted tuxedo kitty named Leo. In their free time they enjoy trips to Disney World, gardening, cooking, and spending time in their pool.

Isis Sánchez

DVM, MS, DACVS, cVMA, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Sanchez is pleased to perform specialty surgery at Micanopy Animal Hospital. She enjoys all aspects of surgery. Her chief areas of interest are plastics and reconstruction, oncologic surgery, wound management, urologic surgery, and cardio-thoracic surgery. Dr. Sánchez is certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture and has extensive training in rehabilitation therapy and therapeutic massage.

Dr. Sánchez enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, fencing, swimming, and rowing. She has hiked on all the major mountains along the Cascade Range.

Patti Gordon

DVM, Feline Consultations

Dr. Gordon is a 1984 graduate of The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She has lived in Gainesville since 1975 and has a special interest in feline medicine, bringing over 28 years of experience practicing in the area at a feline exclusive hospital. She and her husband share their love and their lives with six wonderful children, lots of cats, dogs, and various other pets that found them along the way!

She is a member of AVMA, AAFP, Alachua VMA, AAHA, FVMA, AAZV, and UF Alumni Association. She is also a member of a variety of other community and national organizations.

In her spare time, Dr. Gordon’s activities involve sports, fitness, animals, reading, and community service.

Ginny

Practice Manager

Growing up as a local in Jonesville, Ginny has always had an interest in the wellbeing of animals. She grew up caring for dogs, cats, chickens, parrots, and even had a squirrel to take care of. She came to MAH from a long history of being in law enforcement as a dispatch supervisor. During that time, she volunteered as a rescue foster and was a coordinator for local rescues.

Currently, she has quite the variety of pets at home; mini goats, an aquatic turtle, mini donkeys, 6 chickens, two dogs, two inside cats, and she tends to a colony of feral cats. Needless to say, Ginny loves spending time with her pets during her spare time, but you will also catch her traveling and paddle boarding.

Tiffany

Lead Client Care Representative

Born and raised in Connecticut, Tiffany came to MAH with a background of volunteering her time in animal rescue. Her family also took in rescues as she was growing up, which gave her the passion for animal care! At home she has one cat named Kitty-Kitty, two dogs named Bea and Topper, along with a bunny named Thumper. When she is not at MAH helping the front desk, she is in the craft room being creative as a third-generation crafter.

Grace

Client Care Representative & Office Assistant

Grace came to work for us after spending most of her life on the other side of the country; California! She was raised on a small farm full of chickens, cats, dogs, and birds. Currently enrolled at Santa Fe pursuing her Animal Sciences AA, she plans on transferring to UF to become a DVM and specialize in marine mammals. Since she has always felt a special connection with all animals large and small, she has decided to take any and all opportunities she can to increase the quality of care they receive – which led her to her role here at MAH! She has a small but spunky Betta Fish named Piggy and a Mini Dachshund named Oslo. When you do not see her at MAH multitasking at the front desk to save lives and educate clients, she is volunteering at rescues or going to the beach.

Laura

Client Care Representative

Laura has a background studying in Psychology and Zoo Animal Technology. Before working with us at MAH, she worked with large animals. She has a special recreational interest in birding and has participated with the Audubon Society and other clubs tracking/monitoring native and migratory species, documenting their behaviors and locations. At home she has two rabbits – a Mini Rex named Margo and a French Lop named Beanjamin. She has gained two more family members while working with us; a bearded dragon named Rex and a cat named Parker! When she is not making sure clients and their pets are fully accommodated at MAH, she is spending time with friends and family, hiking, biking, or painting. She also favors visiting the nesting sites of Bald Eagles in Hawthorne and Melrose.

Allison Saylor

Client Care Representative

Bio coming soon!

Candice Tyson

Head Technician, Fear Free Certified Technician

Originally from Florida, Candice moved into the area to be closer to the University of Florida to attend school. She now resides in Hawthorne with her two dogs (Skillet and Jenna), two cats (Tim and David), and a turtle named Amarillo. Although she does not currently own a horse, she greatly enjoys working with them. Her interests include reading and working with animals, large and small, whether they slither or crawl. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with a specialization in mixed animal practice.

Lori

Lead Surgery Technician

Before joining our team, Lori had a background in canine rehabilitation with knowledge in animal surgery and anesthesia. She has become one of our expert Surgery Technicians, connecting and caring for our patients as she has done throughout her life with other animals. She has a farm at home with three horses, two dogs, eight cats, seven chickens, and two goats. She enjoys volunteering at horse shows while watching her daughter compete, and you will also catch her riding horses to relax when she is not at MAH comforting patients out of surgery.

Nicole

Surgery Technician, Fear Free Certified Professional

Nicole moved to Florida from New York before High School. She attended UF where she studied Animal Sciences and grew a passion for Veterinary Medicine, eventually wanting to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. She is currently attending St. Petersburg College to become certified! She has always been connected with animals because of their innocence and unconditional love. She has a soft spot for black cats and currently has five at home. When she is not studying or at MAH cuddling patients and helping doctors in exam rooms, she is spending time outside hiking, bike riding, swimming, horseback riding, or baking in the kitchen.

Emma

Veterinary Technician

Emma received her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at the University of Florida. She has volunteered and professionally cared for animals from dogs and cats to horses and lemurs! She feels the special bond between a human and their pet lasts a lifetime and she appreciates the unconditional love pets give. Her goal is to maintain that special bond for our clients. When she is not with our boarders at MAH, she is at home playing instruments, hiking, doing Pilates or yoga, and reading.

Ruthie Maldonado

Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

Laramie

Veterinary Technician

Updated bio coming soon!

Jesse Blair

Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

Elsa Delong

Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

Jason McQuillen

Lead Kennel Technician

Bio coming soon!

Denae Roller

Kennel Technician

Bio coming soon!