Loretta North, CVT
Practice Manager
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in August 2007
Loretta grew up riding and caring for horses in Michigan and showed for years on the hunter/jumper circuit. She has fond memories of riding her first pony Becky while wearing a dress—something that she doesn’t often wear now. In 2005, Loretta graduated from Bel-Rae Institute in Denver, Colorado as a Certified Veterinary Technician. She then interned and later worked for Littleton Large Animal Hospital in Littleton, CO before relocating to Florida. She is experienced in ICU care, emergencies, radiology, and anesthesia and always greatly enjoyed patient care. Following the birth of her first child, Loretta focused on administrative work, and in 2016, she became the practice manager. Loretta lives with her husband Will (an awesome professional chef), sons Henry and Blake, and two thoroughbreds, Cherokee and Flash, aka “the boys.”
You may contact Loretta at lnorth@brandonequine.com.
Kristine Rusch
Accounts Receivable Clerk/Receptionist
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in September 2018
A lifelong Floridian, Kristine began riding horses at the age of seven. Kristine is very much at home in the saddle and worked exercising racehorses before joining Brandon Equine. She currently owns three horses and travels throughout Florida as a competitive barrel racer. When not barrel racing, Kristine enjoys fishing with her boyfriend Austin and co-parenting their Australian Shepherd Chaz.
Heidi Irvin
Administrative Assistant
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in September 2019
Animals have always been a passion of Heidi’s with horses being a big part of her life while growing up on Tappan Lake, Ohio. Along with her daughter (now a Gator at the University of Florida) and identical twin boys, Heidi relocated to Florida in 2007. Heidi enjoys spending time outdoors with her two horses, a donkey, three dogs, and three cats.
Betty Lewis
Administrative Assistant & Ambulatory Technician/Nurse Assistant
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in December 2006
For those of you that don’t know me, I am the oldest living employee at Brandon Equine. I’ve been with Brandon Equine off and on since 2006. We’ve occasionally parted ways, but I just keep popping back up like a bad penny. I’ve held most positions here: barn technician, surgical technician, administrative assistant, and ambulatory technician. I am currently an administrative assistant to Dr. Richter and the ambulatory technician/nurse assistant to Dr. Young. My hobbies include keeping my walker upright and remembering how to dress myself. No, seriously, I barrel race and won a senior state championship in 2012. I enjoy fishing, kayaking, and working around my farm.
Trinity Shepherd
Inventory Supervisor
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in August 2010
Trinity’s first position at Brandon Equine was as a veterinary technician. She now holds the position of inventory supervisor. Trinity has been around horses her whole life, so joining the Brandon Equine team was a natural fit. She considers it a true honor to help alleviate the suffering of horses. One of her patients, Captain (an off-the-track thoroughbred), literally became her own several years ago and is her pride and joy. When not working with the horses, she is busy being a mom to her son Wyatt and taking care of their many critters.
Mary Ann Zwirko
Technician Assistant & Client Care Coordinator
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in January 2014
Mary Ann grew up and spent the majority of her life in New Jersey. She was an elementary school teacher, as well as a high school and college coach. She earned two master’s degrees along the way before moving to Florida in 2014, when she began working at Brandon Equine. She currently lives in beautiful Clearwater and enjoys working with and learning from the incredible doctors here at Brandon Equine. Her well-behaved and much loved dog Pirate enjoys working here at Brandon Equine and makes a wonderful office dog as well.
Mariah Perez
Technician/Nurse Assistant
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in February 2015
When I was younger I lost my first horse to colic. Since that moment, I knew that I wanted to help save horses when I grew up so that no young boy or girl, or even bigger boys and girls, would have to go through that same pain! My love for all animals big and small has lead me to have a small zoo of my own with two of my own horses: my old retired mustang Bentley and my Chincoteague pony Spirit. I also have chickens, turkeys, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, and a few others! I have two beautiful daughters and an amazing husband that puts up with me bringing home all sorts of critters! I love teaching and watching my daughters love and care for all the animals!
Lindsay Staffieri
Technician/Nurse Assistant
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in November 2016
Bio coming soon!
Lauren Lanier
Technician/Nurse Assistant
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in June 2017
Bio coming soon!
Jessica Hosegood
Certified Veterinary Technician
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in April 2019
Bio coming soon!
Alyssa Rodriguez
Ambulatory Technician/Nurse Assistant
Joined Brandon Equine Medical Center in September 2019
Bio coming soon!
Expert equine care in Brandon, FL.
From our board-certified horse surgeons and board-certified internists to our professional and courteous staff, at Brandon Equine Medical Center, we are committed to the health and well-being of all breeds and sizes of horses. In the field, as an outpatient, or when admitted to the horse hospital, we treat every horse like our own and every client as the most important.
Contact Info
Phone: 813-643-7177
Fax: 813-643-5877
Email: info@brandonequine.com
Hours
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Emergency care available: 24/7/365
Location
605 E Bloomingdale Ave
Brandon, FL 33511
Click here for directions.
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