Annie Choi is originally from Queens, New York. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Delaware in 2017.
Christina was born in Miami but remembers most of her childhood
Originally from Mayo, she grew up on a farm where her love for animals began.
Caring Hands Animal Hospital opened its doors in the fall of 2007. While working at and managing various animal hospitals in northern Florida, Dr. Leslie saw that pet owners are most concerned about how much veterinarians and staff care about them and their pets. She observed that often veterinary care givers became hurried and even callous towards the needs of the clients and their pets. The name Caring Hands was chosen to help remind us all about why we are really in this profession.
The facility in Lake City is a bit of a local historical landmark in that it was originally a Pizza Hut constructed in the 1970’s. Most long-time residents of Lake City, including Dr. Leslie, remember eating pizza in this building. When the new Pizza Hut was built closer to the interstate, the building served as a Mexican restaurant for a time before sitting vacant for a couple of years. Dr. Leslie purchased the building from the original owner, Mr. Ansbacher, who at one time had 33 Pizza Huts in northern Florida. After extensive remodeling and a 21-foot addition, Caring Hands Animal Hospital emerged from the construction dust. Caring Hands Animal Hospital became accredited by The American Animal Hospital Association in 2008, just 6 months after opening and the first accredited hospital within a 40-mile radius. The AAHA standards we follow and the equipment within allow us to offer high quality care to our clients, but it’s really our attitude that sets us apart from the other hospitals in the area.
In 2018, Dr. Leslie and partners decided to purchase a second location in Live Oak, FL which was formerly Live Oak Animal Clinic. The name was changed to Caring Hands of Live Oak and the facility gained AAHA accreditation in 2019. Clients will often see Dr. Leslie and familiar staff members at both locations since doctors and staff are shared between clinics. During her free time, Dr. Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, William, her 2 adult children and Boeing the tuxedo cat. Dr. Leslie frequently sings at Epiphany Church in Lake City and is an avid dressage competitor with her Dutch Warmblood mare, Nawal.
Caring Hands Animal Hospital opened its doors in the fall of 2007. While working at and managing various animal hospitals in northern Florida, Dr. Leslie saw that pet owners are most concerned about how much veterinarians and staff care about them and their pets. She observed that often veterinary care givers became hurried and even callous towards the needs of the clients and their pets. The name Caring Hands was chosen to help remind us all about why we are really in this profession.
The facility in Lake City is a bit of a local historical landmark in that it was originally a Pizza Hut constructed in the 1970’s. Most long-time residents of Lake City, including Dr. Leslie, remember eating pizza in this building. When the new Pizza Hut was built closer to the interstate, the building served as a Mexican restaurant for a time before sitting vacant for a couple of years. Dr. Leslie purchased the building from the original owner, Mr. Ansbacher, who at one time had 33 Pizza Huts in northern Florida. After extensive remodeling and a 21-foot addition, Caring Hands Animal Hospital emerged from the construction dust. Caring Hands Animal Hospital became accredited by The American Animal Hospital Association in 2008, just 6 months after opening and the first accredited hospital within a 40-mile radius. The AAHA standards we follow and the equipment within allow us to offer high quality care to our clients, but it’s really our attitude that sets us apart from the other hospitals in the area.
In 2018, Dr. Leslie and partners decided to purchase a second location in Live Oak, FL which was formerly Live Oak Animal Clinic. The name was changed to Caring Hands of Live Oak and the facility gained AAHA accreditation in 2019. Clients will often see Dr. Leslie and familiar staff members at both locations since doctors and staff are shared between clinics. During her free time, Dr. Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, William, her 2 adult children and Boeing the tuxedo cat. Dr. Leslie frequently sings at Epiphany Church in Lake City and is an avid dressage competitor with her Dutch Warmblood mare, Nawal.
Dr. Annie Choi is originally from Queens, New York. She completed her Bachelor's degree at the University of Delaware in 2017. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ross university where she rescued her beloved cat Garfield and graduated in 2022. She completed her clinical year at Lincoln Memorial University where she found Caring Hands during an externship. Dr. Annie fell in love with the technicians and is extremely excited to work alongside a great mentor, Dr. Leslie. Dr. Annie has a passion within vet med for soft tissue surgery and general practice. In her free time she loves going to the beach, and going on special adventures with Garfield.
Caring Hands Animal Hospital opened its doors in the fall of 2007. While working at and managing various animal hospitals in northern Florida, Dr. Leslie saw that pet owners are most concerned about how much veterinarians and staff care about them and their pets. She observed that often veterinary care givers became hurried and even callous towards the needs of the clients and their pets. The name Caring Hands was chosen to help remind us all about why we are really in this profession.
The facility in Lake City is a bit of a local historical landmark in that it was originally a Pizza Hut constructed in the 1970’s. Most long-time residents of Lake City, including Dr. Leslie, remember eating pizza in this building. When the new Pizza Hut was built closer to the interstate, the building served as a Mexican restaurant for a time before sitting vacant for a couple of years. Dr. Leslie purchased the building from the original owner, Mr. Ansbacher, who at one time had 33 Pizza Huts in northern Florida. After extensive remodeling and a 21-foot addition, Caring Hands Animal Hospital emerged from the construction dust. Caring Hands Animal Hospital became accredited by The American Animal Hospital Association in 2008, just 6 months after opening and the first accredited hospital within a 40-mile radius. The AAHA standards we follow and the equipment within allow us to offer high quality care to our clients, but it’s really our attitude that sets us apart from the other hospitals in the area.
In 2018, Dr. Leslie and partners decided to purchase a second location in Live Oak, FL which was formerly Live Oak Animal Clinic. The name was changed to Caring Hands of Live Oak and the facility gained AAHA accreditation in 2019. Clients will often see Dr. Leslie and familiar staff members at both locations since doctors and staff are shared between clinics. During her free time, Dr. Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, William, her 2 adult children and Boeing the tuxedo cat. Dr. Leslie frequently sings at Epiphany Church in Lake City and is an avid dressage competitor with her Dutch Warmblood mare, Nawal.
Caring Hands Animal Hospital opened its doors in the fall of 2007. While working at and managing various animal hospitals in northern Florida, Dr. Leslie saw that pet owners are most concerned about how much veterinarians and staff care about them and their pets. She observed that often veterinary care givers became hurried and even callous towards the needs of the clients and their pets. The name Caring Hands was chosen to help remind us all about why we are really in this profession.
The facility in Lake City is a bit of a local historical landmark in that it was originally a Pizza Hut constructed in the 1970’s. Most long-time residents of Lake City, including Dr. Leslie, remember eating pizza in this building. When the new Pizza Hut was built closer to the interstate, the building served as a Mexican restaurant for a time before sitting vacant for a couple of years. Dr. Leslie purchased the building from the original owner, Mr. Ansbacher, who at one time had 33 Pizza Huts in northern Florida. After extensive remodeling and a 21-foot addition, Caring Hands Animal Hospital emerged from the construction dust. Caring Hands Animal Hospital became accredited by The American Animal Hospital Association in 2008, just 6 months after opening and the first accredited hospital within a 40-mile radius. The AAHA standards we follow and the equipment within allow us to offer high quality care to our clients, but it’s really our attitude that sets us apart from the other hospitals in the area.
In 2018, Dr. Leslie and partners decided to purchase a second location in Live Oak, FL which was formerly Live Oak Animal Clinic. The name was changed to Caring Hands of Live Oak and the facility gained AAHA accreditation in 2019. Clients will often see Dr. Leslie and familiar staff members at both locations since doctors and staff are shared between clinics. During her free time, Dr. Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, William, her 2 adult children and Boeing the tuxedo cat. Dr. Leslie frequently sings at Epiphany Church in Lake City and is an avid dressage competitor with her Dutch Warmblood mare, Nawal.
Dr. Taylor Alexander is originally from North Carolina. She grew up riding horses and volunteering at the local animal shelter. From her childhood experiences she knew that a career that involved animals was in her future, veterinary medicine was the answer! She attended Western Carolina University for undergrad, she graduated from St. George’s College of Veterinary Medicine (with a clinical year at the University of Florida) in 2023. Her veterinary interests include internal medicine, preventative medicine, and surgical procedures. Taylor currently lives in Gainesville with her husband, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. When she’s not working she enjoys traveling, yoga, and reading. On Saturdays in the fall you can catch her at the Florida Gators football games. Go Gators!
Annie Choi is originally from Queens, New York. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Delaware in 2017. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ross university where she rescued her beloved cat Garfield and graduated in 2022. She completed her clinical year at Lincoln Memorial University where she found Caring Hands during an externship. Annie fell in love with the technicians and is extremely excited to work alongside a great mentor, Dr. Leslie. Annie has a passion within vet med for soft tissue surgery and general practice. In her free time she loves going to the beach, and going on special adventures with Garfield.
Ashley Grubbs is from Tampa, Fl. She started working in veterinary medicine because she loves being able to provide the needed care for animals especially in emergency situations. Her favorite part of working in this field is surgery! In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends. Her family consists of one daughter, two sons, two dogs and a bearded dragon!
Paige was born and raised in the Tampa area, she’s a true Florida native. Growing up she had dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, etc. and hardly ever being told no to adding another one, it wasn’t a surprise to anyone that she wanted to be a vet when she grew up. She got her first part time job at a vets office in high school and QUICKLY learned that she no longer wanted to be a vet, but couldn’t imagine not working with animals. After a few years and changing her college major many times, she graduated college as a Certified Veterinary Technician in the Spring of 2020. Her veterinary interests include practice management, emergency medicine, and intensive/critical care patients.
Outside of work she is married to her highschool sweetheart. They have 2 kids together and their hobbies include wrangling the children on a daily basis, boating, and tending to the farm they are creating!
Brooke was born and raised in White Springs, Fl. She began working in veterinary medicine in 2013 because she has always had compassion for animals and educating owners. She loves handling the animals and seeing their different personalities. Outside of work, she is a barrel racer, she says “I really enjoy the adrenaline it gives me and I love watching my horses become better each time!”
Mike is originally from Miami Beach Florida. His father is a retired veterinarian, so he has grown in the veterinary industry and experienced many things over the years. He looks up to his father and has learned so much from him in all aspects of life, and sees him to be a huge role model in his career. Mike got his first official paying job in vet med about 15 years ago. Since building a career in the field he has developed a love for Dentistry, Surgery, and Emergency & Critical care patients. In his free time Mike loves to explore, spend time outside, and cooking. He likes diving in the local springs, hiking nature trails, and anything that may involve water!
Christina was born in Miami but remembers most of her childhood growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania with many dogs and cats. She was always bringing home strays as a kid to help them. She would help the stray mama cats when it was time to give birth and help the babies nurse. One of her best memories was staying with her grandma on the weekend and always watching animal planet together. Looking back, she feels she should have known that working in veterinary medicine was always her calling. As a young adult her love for animals never stopped growing and she ended up attending City College in Gainesville for her associates in animal science, and pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. To her, animals are not just a pet, they are a member of the family. She is passionate about care for dogs and cats, but has a particular fondness for cats. Her personal abundance of animals means the world to her and she wants them to be with her as long as possible. Because of this she loves having the opportunity to provide the best care to her patients with the hopes that we can educate their owners on how to best care for them and hopefully extend their life.
Jaden was born and raised in Lake City, Florida. Growing up she always wanted to work with animals. At the age of 13 she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, so her career path changed to becoming an RN. She went to college, completed her pre-requisites for nursing school and graduated with her AA. Around this time Covid had started and was actively becoming a major problem in the world. Because of this, she fell back on working with animals, and will never go back! Her first job at an animal hospital was at Plantation Animal Hospital in Fleming Island. She was there for a little over a year as a kennel technician and LOVED it. She loved the quality time that she got to spend with the dogs and how they would recognize you when they came in. She is now a kennel technician at CHAH and loves it just as much as she did her previous job. The dogs and her coworkers are the reasons that she loves coming to work everyday! Outside of work, she enjoys going to the beach, riding four wheelers, and spending time with her family and friends. She is hoping to continue to learn and grow within veterinary medicine and be sure that the clients’ pets get the medical attention that they need and desire!
Meet Erica! Erica is originally from Apopka Florida, she moved to the Lake City area in 2023(?), and became a part of the Caring Hands Team in early 2024. Erica loves all animals and has a hard time picking a favorite but will narrow her favorites down to reptiles and amphibians, her dream job would be a wildlife surveyor/necropsy assistant. In her free time she enjoys riding horses, barrel racing, and spending time doing outdoor activities. She looks up to her parents and late grandmother as role models and inspiration. Within veterinary medicine her interests include wellness/preventative care and dentistry.
Originally from Mayo, she grew up on a farm where her love for animals began. She later moved to Live Oak and finished high school and went into the Patient Care Technician (P.C.T) program at RiverOak in 2018. In 2020 she quit working in the medical field after the Coronavirus broke out at her job. In 2021 both of her parents got sick from Covid, she quit her job at that time to stay home and take care of them full time. Later that year she went back to school taking night classes and got her certification as a Phlebotomist. A couple of months later she realized going back into healthcare wasn’t what she wanted to do anymore. In 2022 she began working at a no kill humane society where she later adopted her beloved dog Honey. “I love working with animals and learning new things about them and ways to help them.” Since joining CHAH she has loved meeting and spending time with new furry faces and has greatly enjoyed working alongside and learning so much from her new coworkers. Her goal is to work her way up in the world of animal care.
Sara began her career in the animal care industry 10 years ago in Broward county, Florida. Her love for the animals is what moved her to choose this as a career path. Her goal is to help animals and their owners have the best life together. Sara enjoys spending time with her son, visiting different parks and zoos, and occasionally going to Disney World!
Jeanne was born in Hartford Connecticut and moved to Florida in 1976, and has been a Florida resident since. Jeanne has overcome many trials and tribulations in her lifetime, being homeless for months at a time, and living in uncertain times taught her to appreciate those around her and always treat others the way that she would want to be treated (with respect & kindness, always). She began working at a vets office for the first time in 2000 when she moved to the Lake City area. Jeanne loves the pets and helping the ones in need, she also loves working with the clientele as well. Her greatest joy from the field is seeing a pet that is in critical condition in the hospital get the opportunity to go home and continue to live comfortably at home. On the weekends you can find Jeanne looking for something fun to do and if you ever need a listening ear, she’s ready to listen and help in any way she can!
Sarah was born and raised in Gainesville Florida. She grew up rescuing all kinds of animals, blue jays and snapping turtles even! After she received her AA from Sante Fe she moved up north of Philadelphia then out west to San Diego, California. At work Sarah looks forward to being able to treat and care for all of our patients like she would her own pets. Her goal is to always provide the highest level of customer service for every client and fur baby that she sees. Outside of work Sarah has 2 teenagers (Aly & Isaac), 2 dogs, and 4 cats! She loves to spend quality time on the weekends with her kiddos and pets. They like to go on outdoor adventures and explore all of the local springs.
Melanie, who is better known as Mel, is from Orlando, Florida. She started her career in the veterinary industry in 2020. She chooses to work in Veterinary medicine because she has always loved animals. At work, she loves to be with the animals and helping to educate the pet owners about the care that comes with owning a pet. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and her own personal fur-babies. She has 2 calico cats, Jinx & Cali!
