Dr. Deborah Cottrell
Dr. Deborah Cottrell (formerly Kemmerer) obtained degrees in Zoology and Chemistry from the University of Texas. While working on a post-graduate degree in Molecular Genetics, she was accepted to Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine. Her practice includes internal medicine and surgery of dogs, cats, rodents, and rabbits; she is a nationally recognized authority on ferrets and has a special place in her heart for these lovable creatures. She has also acquired a love of bats and the good things they do for our environment.
She now treats many ferret patients from all over the southeastern U.S. She has performed and pioneered several unusual surgeries and led a team that performed the first-ever successful pacemaker implantation in a ferret.
Dr. Cottrell has authored many medical publications and presentations and has been a speaker at the North American Veterinary Conference, the National Conference of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the National Small Mammal Conference. She has been interviewed on national television and is featured in an episode of PBS' "The Gentle Doctor" series on veterinary medicine.
Dr. C. received two great honors in 2008. She was chosen Veterinarian of the Year by both the No More Homeless Pets Coalition and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. These awards recognized years of commitment to practicing quality medicine, participating in rescue and spay/neuter programs, and helping as many animals as possible.
Dr. C's personal interests are music and science fiction. Her hobbies are paintball and working out, although she enjoys windsurfing and fencing when time allows. She and Iaon Cottrell were married in 2004 and are alloted living space in a home run by Ramona the Doberman.
Dr. Fred Schirmer
Dr. Schirmer obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Florida and graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. He has extensive experience in emergency medicine and was the emergency veterinarian for AA Pet Emergency Hospital for several years. He also has experience in exotic medicine and is one of the few veterinarians in North Florida that treats non-human primates.
Dr. Fred is a dedicated family man and is part of a large extended family consisting of nine children and step-children as well as many nieces and nephews. His wife Cindy teaches school and also enjoys family life. His hobbies are camping, canoeing, and biking with his kids.