Amber Rickard
Animal Care Technician
Carre Johnson
Receptionist
Jessica Cardinell
Animal Care Technician
Jessica grew up just outside of Lake Placid, New York, where she spent time around animals of all shapes and sizes. It wasn’t difficult for her to develop a love for pet care early on in life—she even remembers telling her parents when she was in elementary school that she would like to become a Veterinary Technician when she grew up! Jessica gets to satisfy her passion daily as a member of the Baycrest Animal Clinic family.
After taking college-level math and science courses during her senior year of high school to prepare herself for the veterinary profession, Jessica headed to the State University of New York-Canton to study veterinary technology. It wasn’t long before she secured her first position at a nearby veterinary hospital, working as a Kennel Attendant. Next, Jessica moved to Florida to begin working as a Veterinary Assistant—she signed on here at Baycrest Animal Clinic in August of 2008 and has been tending to the area’s pets and animal owners ever since. Jessica plans on earning her Veterinary Technician’s certification in the very near future!
In her free time, Jessica can be found watching sports—she’s an avid football fan—and spending time with her family and pets at home. She and her husband, Justin, have two dogs and two cats: Amber; a Siberian Husky who loves meeting people and licking their faces; a Jack Russell Terrier named Rimshot whose favorite pastimes include playing fetch, going for car rides; and being held; an aging cat who goes by Bud; and a cat named Chloe who never tires of her catnip.
After taking college-level math and science courses during her senior year of high school to prepare herself for the veterinary profession, Jessica headed to the State University of New York-Canton to study veterinary technology. It wasn’t long before she secured her first position at a nearby veterinary hospital, working as a Kennel Attendant. Next, Jessica moved to Florida to begin working as a Veterinary Assistant—she signed on here at Baycrest Animal Clinic in August of 2008 and has been tending to the area’s pets and animal owners ever since. Jessica plans on earning her Veterinary Technician’s certification in the very near future!
In her free time, Jessica can be found watching sports—she’s an avid football fan—and spending time with her family and pets at home. She and her husband, Justin, have two dogs and two cats: Amber; a Siberian Husky who loves meeting people and licking their faces; a Jack Russell Terrier named Rimshot whose favorite pastimes include playing fetch, going for car rides; and being held; an aging cat who goes by Bud; and a cat named Chloe who never tires of her catnip.
Donna Ferreiro
Assistant Office Manager
Donna has had a soft spot for animals ever since she was young. When the opportunity arose for her to better the lives of others by working in a pet hospital, she didn’t hesitate. Now, Donna has been a member of the Baycrest Animal Hospital family for 29 fun and fulfilling years!
After growing up on Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina thanks to her father’s military career, Donna settled here in Florida when her father was reassigned and has been here ever since. She was a client here at Baycrest Animal Clinic long before she was an employee—one day after receiving the bill for her own dog, Donna jokingly suggested that she would clean kennels to help pay it off. The veterinarian that had seen her that day told her to take an application and apply for a job! The rest is history; Donna started here at the hospital in the fall of 1990, and now serves as Assistant Office Manager.
When she’s not keeping things running smoothly here at the clinic, Donna likes working in her yard, relaxing by the pool, watching sports, and spending quality time with her family. She and her husband, Nelson, have two daughters—Michelle is an auditor for healthcare facilities, and Lauren is a restaurant manager—and three wonderful grandchildren.
After growing up on Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina thanks to her father’s military career, Donna settled here in Florida when her father was reassigned and has been here ever since. She was a client here at Baycrest Animal Clinic long before she was an employee—one day after receiving the bill for her own dog, Donna jokingly suggested that she would clean kennels to help pay it off. The veterinarian that had seen her that day told her to take an application and apply for a job! The rest is history; Donna started here at the hospital in the fall of 1990, and now serves as Assistant Office Manager.
When she’s not keeping things running smoothly here at the clinic, Donna likes working in her yard, relaxing by the pool, watching sports, and spending quality time with her family. She and her husband, Nelson, have two daughters—Michelle is an auditor for healthcare facilities, and Lauren is a restaurant manager—and three wonderful grandchildren.
Yulia Gonzalez
Receptionist
Yulia’s uncle owned his very own farm, and young Yulia was constantly begging her mother to go there so that she could play “veterinarian” with all of the animals. She’s been infatuated with pet care ever since she can remember—for Yulia, a career in veterinary medicine is quite literally a dream come true!
Born in Havana, Cuba, Yulia moved to Costa Rica with her family at the age of three before relocating to the United States when she was six. The family settled here in Florida, and Yulia has lived here ever since!
Yulia was thrilled to join the Baycrest Animal Clinic team in the fall of 2016. She serves as a front-desk receptionist, and loves to meet and greet the area’s pets and animal parents every day—she never gets tired of spending her days around animal-lovers just like herself, and she especially likes hearing fun stories about clients’ furry companions.
Away from the office, Yulia enjoys going to the beach, fishing, and conquering her childhood fear of the ocean by riding jet-skis. She has two pets of her own, both cats: Grayson is very playful and independent, while Latte prefers to rub up on Yulia the minute she walks in the door.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Yulia moved to Costa Rica with her family at the age of three before relocating to the United States when she was six. The family settled here in Florida, and Yulia has lived here ever since!
Yulia was thrilled to join the Baycrest Animal Clinic team in the fall of 2016. She serves as a front-desk receptionist, and loves to meet and greet the area’s pets and animal parents every day—she never gets tired of spending her days around animal-lovers just like herself, and she especially likes hearing fun stories about clients’ furry companions.
Away from the office, Yulia enjoys going to the beach, fishing, and conquering her childhood fear of the ocean by riding jet-skis. She has two pets of her own, both cats: Grayson is very playful and independent, while Latte prefers to rub up on Yulia the minute she walks in the door.
Mariel Savory
Animal Care Technician
Mariel grew up on a family farm in the small South American country of Guyana. Her experiences caring for animals there made a permanent impression. She’s always known that she wanted to do her part to serve as an advocate for the earth’s creatures! Mariel is proud to now do just that on a daily basis—she’s an Animal Care Technician here at Baycrest Animal Clinic.
Mariel studied at the Guyana School of Agriculture after high school, then went on to further her veterinary studies in Cuba. Next, she returned to Guyana and started working with the Ministry of Agriculture—Mariel would hold that position for the next nine years! After moving to Tampa, Florida in 2018, she decided to jump headfirst into the world of veterinary medicine, and was happy to sign on with the Baycrest Animal Clinic team the following summer.
One of Mariel’s favorite parts of her job is helping with surgical procedures. Most of all, she enjoys interacting one-on-one with the area’s animal owners and their adorable companions. Nothing beats seeing a case all the way through to a happy ending!
Mariel’s interests outside of animal care include reading, playing guitar, and singing. She also hopes to further her veterinary education in the near future.
Mariel studied at the Guyana School of Agriculture after high school, then went on to further her veterinary studies in Cuba. Next, she returned to Guyana and started working with the Ministry of Agriculture—Mariel would hold that position for the next nine years! After moving to Tampa, Florida in 2018, she decided to jump headfirst into the world of veterinary medicine, and was happy to sign on with the Baycrest Animal Clinic team the following summer.
One of Mariel’s favorite parts of her job is helping with surgical procedures. Most of all, she enjoys interacting one-on-one with the area’s animal owners and their adorable companions. Nothing beats seeing a case all the way through to a happy ending!
Mariel’s interests outside of animal care include reading, playing guitar, and singing. She also hopes to further her veterinary education in the near future.
