VARSITY VETERINARY CENTER, LLC
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Varsity Veterinary Center would like to take this opportunity to welcome you, your family, and your special family member to our website.  As you continue to browse and explore our website, it is our hope that you will learn more about our dedication to your family and the quality veterinary medicine and service we provide. Our goal here at Varsity Veterinary Center has always been to assemble a veterinary health care team committed to providing exceptional client service and veterinary health care.  The Varsity Veterinary Center team displays an unrivaled commitment to our clients through continuing education, technological advances in veterinary medicine and service, and most importantly, administering compassionate care to all pets entrusted to us. Dr. Olson earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She received several honors during her education there including the Toby Fastiggi Award for Excellence in Patient Care and the Kaytee Avian and Special Species Excellence Award for accomplishments in avian research, medicine and surgery. Dr Olson is an active UF CVM alum, representing the Class of 2002 on the Alumni Council and serving on the Admissions Committee. Dr. Olson has worked as a veterinarian in the Central Florida area since graduating in 2002. Her career path has taken her from full-time positions at two local clinics to a variety of clinics seen as a traveling veterinarian. All these experiences have culminated in the opening of Varsity Veterinary Center. While the bulk of her experience is with typical companion animals like cats and dogs, Dr. Olson has seen many unusual patients as well. She has worked extensively with a variety of exotic species including many varieties of birds; a large variety of reptiles like iguanas, turtles and snakes; small mammals such as rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs and amphibian and aquatic pets as well. As a carryover from her days as a biologist, Dr Olson takes a special interests in the wildlife that share our Central Florida habitat. She has worked with a variety of these creatures including birds of prey such as Bald Eagles and various hawks, migrating birds such as Sand Hill Cranes and Florida Gopher Tortoises. Additionally, Dr. Olson is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). Her course work, exams, and case studies were done through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. This special training enables Dr. Olson to better diagnose and treat a variety of issues that range from post-surgical complications to arthritis and neurological diseases. Many aspects of her training allow her to give owners the ability to help their pets at home thus improving overall treatments, outcomes, and quality of life! Lauren has been working in the veterinary field for 5 years. She began working with animals while getting her Bachelor's in Biology from East Carolina University in North Carolina. She maintains a great passion for working with wildlife, and has had the privilege to work with many types of animals in many different settings and environments, including as far away as Australia. Her love for wildlife is actually what made her decide to move to Florida (with the help of a fast-growing affinity for Florida Gopher Tortoises). She loves to travel as far and as often as she can, but in the meantime she enjoys hanging out with her dog; Sipsy Blue, her two cats; Darby Tolouse and Turkey Ma'am, and her chinchilla; Shimmy. She is currently contemplating starting a Master's program, and her ultimate goal is veterinary school. Laura has been working in the veterinary field since 2010. Growing up in Iowa, she attended Iowa State University where she earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Animal Ecology with a focus in Wildlife Care and Pre-Veterinary medicine. Laura is a recent graduate of the Veterinary Technician program through St. Petersburg College, and has a special interest in internal medicine and wildlife medicine. She enjoys spending time with her husband Danny, being at the beach, paddle boarding, hiking, climbing, scuba diving, crafts, and baking . Laura owns an out of the home bakery business called "I'd Rather Be Baking" that specializes in cakes and cupcakes. She has four sugar gliders (Kiah, Bindi, Mel, and Sydney), two dogs (Zippy and Finnley), and a little white mouse (Izzy).  Originally from the Detroit area, Heather majored in Wildlife Biology at the University of Michigan. After college she worked as a field biologist and zookeeper at a bat conservation organization. Since 1998, she has worked in many different areas as a veterinary technician from zoo medicine to critical care. Heather has a special interest in emergency & critical care and wildlife medicine. In 2005, she founded City Bats Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of Florida's bats and Gopher tortoises. She is also the co-owner of Tastyworms Nutrition, an online exotic pet supply company. As a licensed Florida Wildlife rehabilitator there is little free time ! She enjoys snuggling with her cats : Edgar P. Nubbins, Merlin, Piggy and Grim and hiking with her chiweenie, Cricket. Leah joined our team in July 2015. She is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and has been working in the veterinary field since 1997. Starting as a kennel technician in Manassas, Virginia she was quickly promoted to Veterinary Technician Assistant and learned how to care for pets. Given the option to continue as a technician or transfer to the reception area, Leah moved to the receptionist position. She discovered that for her, working closely with the clients was the most rewarding way of helping pets. After attending Seminole State College to obtain certification in human medical billing and coding, Leah couldn't imagine working without animals so she stayed in veterinary medicine. Leah loves spending time with her teenage son They frequent Walt Disney World and the Orlando Science Center together. When there is any spare time, Leah enjoys writing and spending quality time her her dog "Lily" and her cat "Gogo".