Our Staff

• Jeffrey Slade , DVM

  
  

  View Jeffrey Slade has always wanted to be a veterinarian, even as a little kid. Like most of our clients, his love of animals started in childhood. He grew up in Orlando and attended Edgewater High School. The Slade family moved to California just in time for college. Slade graduated from the University of California Davis with high honors in Zoology in 1974. He then attended Veterinary College at the same campus, graduating with his doctorate in 1978. He worked in Sacramento upon graduating. It was around that time he met his wife, Bonnie. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the same campus. Her first job was teaching psychology to the medical students at Yale. So they moved to New Haven, CT where she taught and he worked his second veterinary job near New Haven. Having lived in either Florida or California all his life, Dr. Slade (the vet) grew weary of the long winters and the couple moved back to Florida in the fall of 1981. Dr. Bonnie Slade taught briefly at Florida Tech before opening her child psychology practice in Palm Bay. Dr. Jeffrey Slade opened the Sebastian Animal Hospital and Bird Clinic, Inc and saw his first patient in February 1982. Ten years after opening, in 1992, the animal hospital was expanded. The original 1000 square foot facility was tripled to it's current 3000 square foot size. There is parking in front and rear as well as a breezeway to escort clients and pets to the front entrance. The Slades have two daughters. Jennie graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a degree in business. She lives and works in Atlanta. Sally graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY with degrees in computer science and Japanese. She lives and works in Los Angeles. When Dr. Slade's not working he likes to play tennis a couple times a week. He also like to fly low and slow around Sebastian in his powered parachute. Occasionally he'll shoot clay pigeons at the local gun range. He say's "...sometimes you just need to shoot something."

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• Rhonda , Certified Veterinarian Technician

  
  

  View In May of 1987 I graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College where I received an A.S. Degree in Veterinarian Technology. That same month I applied for a job here at Sebastian Animal Hospital, 24 years later I am still loving everyday of my job! I have a fifteen year old daughter named Sydney, a one year old Biewer Yorkie named Glory, three VERY demanding cats named Boo Ju, Arthur, and MiMi. Last but not least I have one VERY bossy guinea pig named Muse.

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• Charlie , Vet Tech Assistant/Receptionist

  
  

  View Hello my name is Charlie. I started working at Sebastian Animal Hospital in October of 2008. Over the years of being here I have really learned a lot. Dr. Slade and Rhonda have taught me everything from taking a temperature to prepping for surgery. I never realized how much hard work and dedication goes into being a veterinarian and veterinarian technician. I really enjoy working for Dr. Slade, and I have met some really nice pets and their owners over the years. I absolutely love working with animals, especially when I can help make them feel better. I recently got married in October 2010. I live on five acres in Fellsmere. I have two dogs, one cat, and three horses. Holeshot is my Jack Russell and Beautiful Dreamer aka "girl" is my hound mix. My horses names are Special, Dee, and Jesse. I am a barrel racer so I spend most of my weekends at a barrel race. When Im not at a barrel race I love spending time out on the boat with my husband. Life without animals would be so boring!

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• Patty , Receptionist

  
  

  View I discovered a long time ago that I had two passions in life. One has always been in working with young children.  The other is surrounding my life with animals.  After spending most of my working career in teaching, I decided it was time to follow my dream of working with animals.  Prior to Sebastian Animal Hospital, I spent four years working at a large/small animal clinic in North Carolina.  I came to Sebastian Animal Hospital in July  2010. Working with and around people who love, respect and appreciate animals is what makes me the happiest in life! I have six 4-legged kids in my family...four cats and two dogs.  My cats names are Tigger, Betty, Sophie and Minni.  Boji and Crystal are my little white, fluffy maltese's.  Okay, Boji is not exactly a "little" maltese, but he has captured my heart - and with Dr. Slade's help, we will work on the definition of "little."  I also have 15 Koi fish.  All of my animals have captured my heart and make my life complete! I love spending my free time with my animals, especially walking along the riverfront with the dogs.  I also really enjoy spending time making jewelry, baking organic doggie treats, and spending time on the water.  Life is always good when furry creatures are around!

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• Courtney , Receptionist

  
  

  View I started working at Sebastian Animal Hospital in March of 2011. I am a huge animal lover and love to help animals. Though I have only worked at Sebastian Animal Hospital for a few months I have learned so much. Dr. Slade is not only a great veterinarian but a wonderful teacher. My horses are my life! I have three horses and two Jack Russell's. My horses names are Ginger, Blazer, and Tax. My dogs names are Toby and Peanut. I am a barrel racer and spend most of my weekends at a show. When Im not barrel racing I like spending my spare time riding 4-wheelers and going out on the boat with my boyfriend and family.

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