Bob Encinosa, DVM (owner, veterinarian)
Dr.Bob Encinosa was born in Valrico, Florida and graduated from Brandon High School in 1980. He received his doctorate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. He founded Boyette Animal Hospital on November 5, 1990.
Dr. Bob and his wife, Cheri, were married in 1988 and have three children, Matthew, Sarah, and Ellie. They share their home with 2 dogs: Dixie and Lilly, and 5 cats: Floyd, Harry, Mimi, Jasmine, and Jack Black.
Dr. Bob’s hobbies include fishing, mountain biking, guitar, banjo, snow skiing, water sports, archeology, paleontology, history, and coaching soccer. He teaches a mixed martial arts class and holds black belts in Judo and Okinawan Karate. He is very active in the education of children and enjoys talking to groups on a variety of subjects.
Steve Harris, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Steve Harris graduated from Auburn University in 1984. He practiced veterinary medicine in Montana, South Dakota, Kentucky, Georgia, and the Florida Keys. He joined the staff of Boyette Animal Hospital in October of 2000. Dr. Steve’s major interests outside of work are diving and fishing.
Michelle Ferrera, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Michelle Ferrera graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York in 1993. She has been mostly in private practice since then, both in Plant City and Lutz, Florida, although she also spent two and a half years employed at Hillsborough County Animal Services. She enjoys providing medical and surgical care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and has some experience with small ruminants and pot belly pigs. In a nutshell, two hundred pounds or less, four legs or less, no primates, and nothing venomous.
Dr. Ferrera lives in Riverview and has been married to her wonderful husband Frank for over eight years, and is the mother of two daughters, Natalie and Julie. She works part-time as a veterinarian so that she can be a full time mom. Dr. Ferrera also shares her home with a dog: Annie, four cats: Puck, Oreo, Red, and Sweet, a parrot: Noodle, a leopard gecko: Felix, a guinea pig, Ratatouille, and several goldfish.
Rochelle Benton, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Rochelle has been with Boyette Animal Hospital for over 3 and a half years. She is a graduate from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine and also received an undergraduate degree from Auburn in Zoology just prior to vet school.
Dr. Rochelle and her husband recently welcomed their first child. They also share their home with 2 very michievious cats! In her free time, Dr. Rochelle likes to spend time with her family and friends, and also enjoys getting outside whenever she can to enjoy the warm Florida weather.
Along with her love of pet medicine, she also has a special interest in small animal ultrasound and dentistry.
Vikki Parker, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Vikki received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 1993, and her doctorate degree from Cornell University in 1997. She spent 10 years working at a 24-hour emergency practice near Chicago before moving to Florida.
Dr. Vikki shares her home with a Border Collie mix, Lynah, a calico cat, Olympia, and a lovebird. Dr. Vikki enjoys tennis, ice-hockey, and traveling.
Lorraine Ellwood, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Lorraine Ellwood received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Ohio State University, as well as her MA in Physiology and her BS in Science Education. She has over 29 years of veterinary experience. While in Ohio, she was an associate veterinarian for Knapp Veterinary Hospital, and The Animal Medical Clinic. She was the director of The Vet Clinic in Worthington, and Owner of The Vet Clinic East in Columbus. After moving to Florida, she was an associate veterinarian at Ruskin Animal Hospital and the Animal Coalition of Tampa.
Dr. Lorraine is committed to staying in touch with advancements in her profession, and attends as many meetings and seminars as possible. She is a member of several organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the veterinary Hospital Managers Association, and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.
In addition to dogs and cats, Dr. Lorraine also enjoys working with birds, reptiles, and assorted pocket pets. She also has an extensive background in surgery and dentistry.
Away from her busy work schedule, Dr. Lorraine enjoys spending time with her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Ashley. They share their home with a menagerie of pets: 3 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 cockatiels. She also enjoys camping, boating, travel, reading, scrapbooking, and physical fitness.
Sarah Balaguer, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Sarah Balaguer achieved her DVM degree in 2008 from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. While attending UF she also completed a MS degree in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2003. She graduated with High Honors for her BS degree in Animal Science in 2000. Her special work interests include cytology, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and physical therapy. Dr. Sarah B. grew up in Miami, Florida where she nurtured her love for a multitude of animal species. She is the youngest of five siblings and was often teased that she was adopted since she was the only brunette in a family of redheads. When she is not diligently at work, Dr. Sarah B. loves spending time with her fun-loving big puppies, Daisy and Deogie, and her husband, Jon. She also enjoys traveling, taking photographs, cooking, watching movies, and spending quality time with her family.
Sarah Stalnaker, DVM (veterinarian)
Dr. Sarah Stalnaker graduated from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio before moving to sunny Florida. She has a special interest in feline medicine, preventive care, and dentistry. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society. Outside of work, Dr. Sarah enjoys running half marathons, salsa dancing, snowboarding, being invloved in her church, shopping with her mother, and practicing her Spanish with anyone who will listen. She shares her home with two rescued cats that are extremely spoiled: Tommy Twigs and Mommy Cat.
Alise Wood, DVM (Veterinarian)
Dr. Alise Wood graduated from Auburn University in 2007. She has experience in a variety of practice settings including general practice, emergency work, shelter work, and for the SPCA. Away from work, Dr. Alise enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time at the beach. She shares her home with two cats: Butch Catsidy and Sundance Kid.
Geoff Gardner, DVM (Veterinarian)
Dr. Geoff was born and raised in Lakeland Fl where his father established a veterinary practice in 1958. Growing up around veterinary medicine was a great influence on his decision to pursue an education through the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida.
Dr. Geoff married his high school sweetheart, Lisa, and they recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. He has two children, Jameson and Ashley, and two grandchildren, Sarah, 5, and Parker, 2. His greatest passion is his family, whether it is catching up on all the classic films with his daughter, taking the grandkids to the park, or camping and diving with his son, he never passes up an opportunity to spend time with family! Dr Geoff practiced in Lakeland until this year when he became the newest member of the Boyette Animal Hospital family.
