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 and earning our accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association.
He wears many hats, including Practice Manager, IT Guy, Handyman, and General Go-To Guy. He is a dedicated Operation Catnip volunteer and had the honor of writing a set of protocols for Operation Catnip surgical assistants. His personal interests include butterfly gardening, composing electronic music, digital film making, disc golf, obstacle mud racing, and fragging 12 year olds on Xbox. He has been married to Dr. Deborah Cottrell since Feb of 2004 and their pet family consists of an American Staffordshire Terrier named CZ, a Hound-Pit named Juliet, a long haired chihuahua named Chuper, and a large Koi Pond with 58 wait 57.... no 56.... wait 55... ummmm I mean 54 koi, and 2 red shouldered hawks living in the tree near the pond.
UPDATE - The fish have finally out grown the hawks' ability lift them from the pond. however the hawks have reverted back to the indigenous squirrel population.
Michelle
Assistant Manager / 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 Bella Boo and a pit bull named Alpha.
Kalee
Receptionist
Kalee hails from Chiefland and is currently a student at UF, majoring in Animal Science. She has a background in agriculture and raised hogs and steers in the FFA while in high school. She hopes to attend the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys horseback riding, fishing, and spending time with friends, family . She has two Chihuahuas named Buttercup and Tito.
Maren
Receptionist
Maren graduated the Zoo Animal Technology Program at Santa Fe College in 2008. She later completed an internship with the Bird and Mammal Department of St. Augustine Alligator Farm in the summer of 2009. In the future, Maren hopes to return to school to receive a Bachelors degree in Zoology and one day work as a zookeeper in an accredited zoological facility. Her dream is to become the next Crocodile Hunter (sans stingray). In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, bowling, and drawing. Everyday she comes home to her loving husband, John; her dog, Lola; and her crazy ferrets, Wilma and Leroy.
Sarah
Receptionist
Sarah started volunteering in June 2011, then became a kennel tech in November 2011. Sarah is attending her last semester at Santa Fe College before she transfers to St. Petersburg College, where she hopes to be admitted to the Veterinary Technology Distance Program to earn her A.S as a Certified Veterinary Technician and her B.A.S in Veterinary Technology. Sarah loves to pamper her two dogs, Shorty and Gabriele with nature walks and toys. She is a devoted horseback rider, passionate book reader, and an art lover.
Frankie
Veterinary Technician
Frankie 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 animal rescue groups at adoptathons at PetSmart. She attends Santa Fe College and is studying to be an Emergency Medical Technician. Her pets are a giant Doberman named Thor, a Pit Mix named Roxie, and a one-eyed wonder cat named Poppy.
Alex
Veterinary Technician
Alex began as a kennel tech in August of 2010 and has been a technician since 2011. In May 2012, she graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Animal Sciences and is awaiting acceptance to veterinary school to pursue her goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Alex spends her free time riding her horses, playing with her dog, and volunteering.
Lindsey
Veterinary Technician
Lindsey started out as a volunteer and soon became a receptionist here at West End in 2010. She originally was pursuing to be a human doctor and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology in the fall of 2009. After graduating, she decided she wanted to work with animals and pursue a D.V.M. degree. Lindsey enjoys spending time with friends and family, drawing, and Disney movies. She lives with her boyfriend and their two dogs, Billy and Brooke-lynn, along with a newly adopted kitty named Sequel.
Andy
Veterinary Technician
Andy is the newest addition to our staff, beginning in the summer of 2012. He graduated from the University of Florida in the Spring of the same year with a BS in Biology, and hopes to continue on to Veterinary School. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, watching reruns of '90's children's shows, and learning.
Grace
Kennel Technician
Grace began as a kennel technician this year. She is a student at the University of Florida and plans to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. She shares her home with an adorable Chihuahua mix named Chispita.
Cassie
Kennel Technician
Cassie joined our staff in January of 2013. She is pursuing a degree in Materials Science and Engineering and is also on a pre-veterinary track. She hopes to apply to veterinary school to begin the fall of 2014, with a dream of eventually practicing small animal medicine and training service dogs. One day, she would also like to open her own animal rescue. At home, Cassie has two small dogs named Milo and Bailey who love to play and cuddle! Cassie loves to volunteer on her spare time at exotic animal sanctuaries such as Big Cat Rescue. Other interest include running, reading and hanging out with her friends!