We are the music-makers.

Dr. Churchill is a gentle, attentive veterinarian who knew that she wanted to care for animals from a young age. She graduated from the University of Florida with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and practiced at high-end veterinary hospitals in both Scottsdale Arizona and St Augustine Florida.

Dr. Churchill has a special interest in clinical pathology, dentistry and internal medicine. She is always looking for opportunities to expand her knowledge base and actively seeks out advanced continuing education. Dr. Churchill is obsessed with her patients and making sure that they live the longest, healthiest lives possible. Dr. Churchill is delighted to be back in her hometown of Tampa with her husband, Dr. Gosche and her favorite four-legged companion, Belle.

Dr. Barbara Reitz is a dedicated veterinarian with a wealth of experience caring for beloved pets. A keen problem solver, she enjoys working with her team to achieve the best outcomes for her patients and clients. After graduating from the esteemed Michigan State University in 1987, Dr. Reitz spent nearly a decade at a cat-exclusive practice in Maryland, where she honed her skills in internal medicine, behavioral, dermatological, and surgical diseases.

Dr. Reitz then transitioned into education, building curriculum for and teaching at Pensacola State College’s Veterinary Technology Program. She taught courses on everything from anatomy and physiology to pharmacology, inspiring bright young minds. Today, she brings her heart of a teacher into the exam room, helping pet parents better understand the healthcare of their four-legged family members. She has been assisting both dogs and cats with their health care for several years in the Tampa area.

With a strong interest in internal medicine and integrative medicine, Dr. Reitz offers both traditional and alternative options for her patients, including acupuncture and herbal remedies. She is devoted not just to her patients’ physical well-being but also to their mental health, having achieved Elite Level Fear Free Certification and Feline Friendly Certification. Like all members of our team at West Park Animal Hospital, she is a committed lifelong learner who stays up-to-date on the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. Dr. Reitz lives in Tampa with her loving husband, Jim; her two cats, Molly and Dennis; two cocktails, Copper and Tellurium; and a milk snake named Phil.

Dr. Kiersten Ellis brings a deep commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based veterinary care to the Tampa community. Originally from Pensacola Beach, Florida, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Mississippi in 2020 (Hotty Toddy), where she was also a member of the Ole Miss Equestrian Team.

She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Long Island University’s Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine as part of its inaugural graduating class in 2024. During veterinary school, Dr. Ellis pursued extensive clinical training through externships in specialty and general practice, as well as avian and exotic medicine, wildlife sanctuaries, and with the Wildlife Conservation Society at the New York Aquarium.

Dr. Ellis has long held a special interest in avian and exotic species, as well as terrestrial and aquatic wildlife—particularly reptiles and elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). Her passion for diverse species reflects her belief that every animal, regardless of size or species, deserves knowledgeable and compassionate medical care.

Following graduation, Dr. Ellis completed a rigorous small animal rotating internship at BluePearl in Tampa, Florida. There, she received advanced training in cardiology, radiology, internal medicine, surgery, neurology, oncology, emergency and critical care. She also completed additional externships with the Florida Aquarium and in avian and exotics medicine, further strengthening her clinical depth.

Dr. Ellis is especially passionate about preventive care and proper husbandry. She believes that education empowers pet owners to make informed, confident decisions about their pets’ health, and she is dedicated to staying current with the latest research and advancements in veterinary medicine to provide the highest standard of care.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Ellis enjoys life in sunny Florida with her fiancé, her rescue Border Collie/Great Pyrenees mix, Evie, and her rescue chinchilla rabbit, Thumper. In her free time, she can often be found at the beach, exploring local trails, reading, playing volleyball, watching Ole Miss football, or pursuing her creative side through painting, drawing, and sewing.

Lauren is one of our Client Representatives who is originally from Orlando, FL. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Animal Biology. She has always been interested in wildlife conservation and working alongside marine animals, especially sharks. She is aspiring to become a certified veterinary technician in order to help animals in a new way, and is actively applying to the veterinary technology program at SPC.

Lauren can usually be found reading books or spending time in nature. She often loves spoiling her two cats Ben and Rory who are her 2 greatest joys. She describes Ben as a mischievous purr box and Rory as a high maintenance cuddle buddy. Lauren’s favorite part of working at West Park Animal Hospital is seeing the love and care that go into making each patient happy and healthy. She also enjoys being surrounded by a supportive team who work collaboratively to ensure each patient gets the best care they can.

Originally from Wooster, Ohio, Natalie has been working in the veterinary field for more than eight years and brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and steady expertise to her role as a Veterinary Technician at West Park Animal Hospital.

One of Natalie’s favorite aspects of working at West Park is the collaborative culture. She appreciates being part of a team that works seamlessly together to provide exceptional care for patients and support for one another.

For Natalie, one of the most rewarding parts of veterinary medicine is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with clients. She enjoys getting to know families and their pets, especially during longer appointments that allow time to answer questions, ease concerns, and create the trust that is so important in veterinary care.

Natalie has a special interest in wound care and enjoys the hands-on nature of helping patients heal and recover. While she loves continuing to learn, she is equally grateful to have found a role as a veterinary technician in general practice that she truly enjoys and looks forward to every day.

Outside the hospital, Natalie enjoys practicing yoga, traveling, discovering new coffee shops, and taking walks with her senior dog, Riley, whose favorite treats are blueberries and apples.

Born in New York City and raised in Florida, Idalis brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as a veterinary technician. She began her career in shelter medicine while living in New Jersey, later expanding her skills in urgent care before transitioning into general practice. With a strong interest in dentistry and surgery, Idalis especially enjoys wound repair and is driven by her goal to become a certified veterinary technician—potentially specializing in one of her favorite areas.

At West Park Animal Hospital, Idalis loves being part of a team where patient care always comes first. One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is building lasting relationships with clients and their pets. She finds it incredibly fulfilling to see familiar faces return, especially when patients and their families are excited to see her again. The supportive, compassionate environment at West Park fuels her commitment to continued learning and exceptional care.

Outside of work, Idalis has a wide range of interests. She enjoys creative writing, reading, hiking, and practicing her medical Spanish. At home, she shares her space with her beloved cat, Batman, who keeps her on her toes with his love of feather toys, zoomies, and belly rubs.

Summer is one of our client service representatives. She is originally from Stafford, Virginia, but has lived in Florida since 2017. Summer studied sports medicine in college and practiced as an athletic trainer with several sports teams, as well as cast members at Disney World. Her work with animal care teams at Disney world led her to discovering a passion for the field of animal medicine. She joined our team at West Park Animal Hospital in the hopes of gaining more knowledge about the animal care profession and hopes one day to become a certified veterinary technician. Her favorite thing about WPAH is being surrounded by the most compassionate caring individuals on a daily basis. When she’s not at work, you can find Summer walking nature trails with her dog Dobie and snuggling with her two cats, Stormy and Ily, or working one of her several art projects.

Sher was born in Port St. Lucie and moved to Tampa in 2009. Her journey in veterinary medicine began in 2019 as a kennel technician, and by 2021 she had advanced into a technician role. With a passion for animal care that started back in high school in 2016, Sher has been dedicated to growing her knowledge and skills in the field ever since. One of Sher’s favorite parts of working at West Park Animal Hospital is the personal touch the team brings to every client and pet visit. She loves getting to know families, hearing their stories, and helping create a welcoming experience for both pets and their people. Looking ahead, Sher hopes to return to working in surgery and expand her involvement in laboratory work within veterinary medicine.

Outside of the hospital, Sher enjoys life with her two dogs: Auggie, an 8½-year-old yellow lab who loves to sunbathe, and Jasper, a playful 2½-year-old standard poodle who keeps her laughing with his silly antics. She’s also musically talented—able to play four instruments: piano, guitar, bass, and ukulele.

Originally from San Francisco, California, Mica brings a unique blend of customer service experience and a passion for helping others to her role as a Client Service Representative at West Park Animal Hospital. Before joining the veterinary field, she spent five years in public accounting, where she developed strong communication skills and learned the importance of providing exceptional client care.

At West Park, Mica enjoys being part of a supportive team and finds it especially rewarding to play a role in helping pets receive the care they need. She values the relationships she builds with clients and loves how many of them become like family, making each day just as meaningful as the time spent with their pets. Around the hospital, she’s also known for her genuine, infectious laugh—a sound that’s hard not to smile at and one that brightens the day for teammates and clients alike.

Mica shares her home with two beloved companions: a spirited three-year-old merle Chihuahua who is convinced he can communicate like a human, and a sweet tuxedo cat who found her as a stray and has been by her side ever since. Her own pets continue to inspire her growing interest in veterinary medicine, particularly the fascinating similarities between human and animal healthcare.

Looking ahead, Mica aspires to become a veterinary technician and is excited to continue learning and growing within the profession. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature and exploring her love of cooking.