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Our Team

Meet Our Friendly Doctors

University Animal Clinic's Vet Dr. Leigh Samanowitz
Dr. Leigh Samanowitz

Dr. Leigh Samanowitz

Dr. Samanowitz earned a bachelors of science degree in zoology from the University of Florida before attending and graduating from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. After veterinary school, she moved back to Florida with her husband Sam and their Sheepdog “Chloe” and cockatiel “Sunny”. Dr. Samanowitz has begun a veterinary student job program that has allowed her to mentor veterinary students across the country to gain experience in the hospital setting prior to graduating. Dr. Samanowitz in her spare time loves to do triathlons and mud/obstacle runs, she is also an avid scrapbooker.

Dr. Sara Velic

Dr. Velic has always had a passion for helping animals. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden and moved to Sarasota, FL as a young child. She majored in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology at the University of Central Florida for her undergraduate degree. She completed her didactic veterinary education at Ross University and finished her clinical rotations at Louisiana State University. Sara moved back home to be closer to her family and practice medicine with a special emphasis in emergency and internal medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs Ellie and Nessie and spending time on the water.

Dr. Sara Velic
University Animal Clinic's Vet Dr. Jenny Dakin
Dr. Jenny Dakin

Dr. Jenny Dakin

Dr. Jenny Dakin joined UAC after her graduation from Iowa State University with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She attended University of Florida and earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Dr. Jenny has a special interest in dermatology and surgery. She is Fear-Free Certified, which is a certification that is specific to preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety and stress in pets. After graduation, Dr. Jenny wanted to move back to her home town to practice veterinary medicine to be closer to her family. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors on the water fishing or at her family’s dairy farm. She shares her home with her French bulldog “Nugget” and her German short hair pointer mix, “Chubs”.

Dr. Alexis Brocious

Hi! My name is Dr. Alexis Brocious but you can call me Dr. Lexi!

My roots began in my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, where I found my passion for animals as a child. When I moved to Florida in 2009, I was actively involved in FFA throughout high school and also began to shadow Dr. Samanowitz my freshman year. As a graduate of the University of Florida, I earned both my Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Sciences followed my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. I am an avid sports fanatic and love attending games, especially for my favorite teams: Go Steelers, Go Penguins, Go Gators! In my free time I enjoy traveling and going on adventures with my fiancé, Paul and our Golden Retriever, Tucker. I am happy to be a part of UAC team and I look forward to loving and caring for your pets!

Dr. Alexis Brocious

Support Staff

Sam

Owner
Univeristy Animal Clinic team member Peg

Peg Gaven

Practice Manager
University Animal Clinic team member Susan holding a cat

Susan

Veterinary Technician
Veterinary assistant Sara D with a dog

Sara

Veterinary Technician
University Animal Clinic Team member Kyle

Kyle

Veterinary Technician
University Animal Clinic Team member Angela

Angela

Veterinary Technician
University Animal Clinic team member Jamie

Jaime

Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technician Nikki

Nikki

Veterinary Technician

Jillian

Veterinary Technician

Suzanne

Receptionist

Rebecca

Receptionist

Isabella Armstrong

A brown smiling dog with a yellow background

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