Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Jaclyn Colton
My hometown is Rockledge, Florida, which was a wonderful place to grow up. I could watch shuttles and rockets go up while I was on the playground, and I enjoyed being close to the beach and Orlando’s theme parks.
I have always had a passion for animals, science, and medicine, and my first job was as a kennel technician at a local veterinary clinic. This experience helped me gain the skills to work as a veterinary assistant, and I eventually became a veterinary technician.
I am a Gator alum and received my undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology and conservation and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Florida.
In my 15 years in the veterinary field, I have worked in general practice and wildlife medicine at the Brevard Zoo, and I also have an extensive background in ecology and wildlife research focusing on the population genetic health of endangered species.
I have lost two special dogs in my life. The experiences with Bogey and Sugar taught me how to have compassion for owners struggling with the decision to euthanize. I also learned how important it is to ensure a patient’s quality of life if an owner isn’t ready to say goodbye.
I am passionate about hospice and end-of-life care. My goal is to offer compassion and understanding as I help conclude a patient’s suffering or struggles with an illness, and owners are typically extremely grateful. I’m honored to help navigate these difficult situations.
In my spare time, I enjoy going on adventures with my two dogs, Meeka and Leeloo. Meeka and I also have fun competing in agility trials. Reading and embroidery are other hobbies I find relaxing and enriching.
About Dr. Sheena Maynard
I grew up in Upstate New York in the small farming town of Kendall, and I’ve had a passion for helping animals since I was a child. I once found an abandoned baby rabbit in the bushes, and I bottle-fed it until it was released back into the wild. At my sixteenth birthday party, I announced to my friends and family that I would become a veterinarian someday, and I am so glad I’ve been able to keep my word.
After graduating high school I moved to Melbourne, Florida to pursue a degree in veterinary technology at Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College) and became a certified veterinary technician. I worked in general practice as a small animal technician for about six years while also pursuing my bachelor’s degree in veterinary hospital management from St. Petersburg College.
It was while working at a specialty cancer clinic, administering chemotherapy to cats and dogs that I decided to pursue veterinary school. I attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and graduated with my veterinary degree.
People describe me as caring, empathetic, and kind, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for geriatric animals and people. I enjoy helping care for my neighbor’s elderly “grandma” pets and I am always ready to lend a listening ear to anyone who needs my time.
I know how difficult it is to say goodbye to a pet. I lost my 14-year-old shih-tzu, Rusty, when he became suddenly ill during my third year of veterinary school. The experience taught me a lot and was one of the reasons I wanted to work for Lap of Love. I look forward to helping families and their pets and providing them with a peaceful goodbye.
Outside of work, I enjoy paddle boarding, camping, hiking, bike riding, and spending time with my rescued rabbit, Yeti. I also have my student pilot’s license, and enjoy skydiving, scuba diving, and running marathons with my friends. I look forward to this new chapter of life as part of the Lap of Love family!
About Dr. Juliana Cafiero
I spent my young childhood in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, but moved to Melbourne in middle school and returned to Brevard County after college and veterinary school to be close to family. I have wanted to be a vet for as long as I can remember. I was always finding lost pets so I could help reunite them with their families, and in college, I assisted the pre-vet society trap and release a majority of the feral cat population in Tampa.
I received my bachelor's degree in biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa and my veterinary degree from Ross University, finishing my clinical year at the University of Florida in Gainesville. I received my acupuncture training and certification at the Chi Institute, and am working toward spinal manipulation certification.
I have had the fortunate opportunity to hold a variety of small animal practice jobs. I love holistic care and pain management and hope to expand to rehabilitation therapy one day (acupuncture, chiropractic care). My passion lies in helping alleviate pain for pets—helping a pet feel better with treatments beyond a prescription pain pill is rewarding. I love being a veterinarian because I love making a difference for pets and families, no matter how small.
I have had many pets in my lifetime. Losing a pet never gets easy, but it can be a very different experience from one pet to another. The most heartbreaking and difficult was suddenly losing my favorite cat, Squirrel, to heart disease. I could not be with her when she passed, and losing out on that opportunity has helped me guide other pet parents in making difficult end-of-life decisions. I like to view end-of-life care as my final gift to families and pets. If I can help a family or a pet through that difficult time, then I've made a small difference in the world for them.
When I’m not working, I love paddleboarding with my dog Remi and my significant other, and biking around town. We also love live music, karaoke, fishing, and playing board games with friends and family.
About Dr. Jaclyn Colton
My hometown is Rockledge, Florida, which was a wonderful place to grow up. I could watch shuttles and rockets go up while I was on the playground, and I enjoyed being close to the beach and Orlando’s theme parks.
I have always had a passion for animals, science, and medicine, and my first job was as a kennel technician at a local veterinary clinic. This experience helped me gain the skills to work as a veterinary assistant, and I eventually became a veterinary technician.
I am a Gator alum and received my undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology and conservation and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Florida.
In my 15 years in the veterinary field, I have worked in general practice and wildlife medicine at the Brevard Zoo, and I also have an extensive background in ecology and wildlife research focusing on the population genetic health of endangered species.
I have lost two special dogs in my life. The experiences with Bogey and Sugar taught me how to have compassion for owners struggling with the decision to euthanize. I also learned how important it is to ensure a patient’s quality of life if an owner isn’t ready to say goodbye.
I am passionate about hospice and end-of-life care. My goal is to offer compassion and understanding as I help conclude a patient’s suffering or struggles with an illness, and owners are typically extremely grateful. I’m honored to help navigate these difficult situations.
In my spare time, I enjoy going on adventures with my two dogs, Meeka and Leeloo. Meeka and I also have fun competing in agility trials. Reading and embroidery are other hobbies I find relaxing and enriching.
About Dr. Sheena Maynard
I grew up in Upstate New York in the small farming town of Kendall, and I’ve had a passion for helping animals since I was a child. I once found an abandoned baby rabbit in the bushes, and I bottle-fed it until it was released back into the wild. At my sixteenth birthday party, I announced to my friends and family that I would become a veterinarian someday, and I am so glad I’ve been able to keep my word.
After graduating high school I moved to Melbourne, Florida to pursue a degree in veterinary technology at Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College) and became a certified veterinary technician. I worked in general practice as a small animal technician for about six years while also pursuing my bachelor’s degree in veterinary hospital management from St. Petersburg College.
It was while working at a specialty cancer clinic, administering chemotherapy to cats and dogs that I decided to pursue veterinary school. I attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and graduated with my veterinary degree.
People describe me as caring, empathetic, and kind, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for geriatric animals and people. I enjoy helping care for my neighbor’s elderly “grandma” pets and I am always ready to lend a listening ear to anyone who needs my time.
I know how difficult it is to say goodbye to a pet. I lost my 14-year-old shih-tzu, Rusty, when he became suddenly ill during my third year of veterinary school. The experience taught me a lot and was one of the reasons I wanted to work for Lap of Love. I look forward to helping families and their pets and providing them with a peaceful goodbye.
Outside of work, I enjoy paddle boarding, camping, hiking, bike riding, and spending time with my rescued rabbit, Yeti. I also have my student pilot’s license, and enjoy skydiving, scuba diving, and running marathons with my friends. I look forward to this new chapter of life as part of the Lap of Love family!
About Dr. Juliana Cafiero
I spent my young childhood in Ft. Lauderdale Florida, but moved to Melbourne in middle school and returned to Brevard County after college and veterinary school to be close to family. I have wanted to be a vet for as long as I can remember. I was always finding lost pets so I could help reunite them with their families, and in college, I assisted the pre-vet society trap and release a majority of the feral cat population in Tampa.
I received my bachelor's degree in biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa and my veterinary degree from Ross University, finishing my clinical year at the University of Florida in Gainesville. I received my acupuncture training and certification at the Chi Institute, and am working toward spinal manipulation certification.
I have had the fortunate opportunity to hold a variety of small animal practice jobs. I love holistic care and pain management and hope to expand to rehabilitation therapy one day (acupuncture, chiropractic care). My passion lies in helping alleviate pain for pets—helping a pet feel better with treatments beyond a prescription pain pill is rewarding. I love being a veterinarian because I love making a difference for pets and families, no matter how small.
I have had many pets in my lifetime. Losing a pet never gets easy, but it can be a very different experience from one pet to another. The most heartbreaking and difficult was suddenly losing my favorite cat, Squirrel, to heart disease. I could not be with her when she passed, and losing out on that opportunity has helped me guide other pet parents in making difficult end-of-life decisions. I like to view end-of-life care as my final gift to families and pets. If I can help a family or a pet through that difficult time, then I've made a small difference in the world for them.
When I’m not working, I love paddleboarding with my dog Remi and my significant other, and biking around town. We also love live music, karaoke, fishing, and playing board games with friends and family.
About Dr. Jaclyn Colton
My hometown is Rockledge, Florida, which was a wonderful place to grow up. I could watch shuttles and rockets go up while I was on the playground, and I enjoyed being close to the beach and Orlando’s theme parks.
I have always had a passion for animals, science, and medicine, and my first job was as a kennel technician at a local veterinary clinic. This experience helped me gain the skills to work as a veterinary assistant, and I eventually became a veterinary technician.
I am a Gator alum and received my undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology and conservation and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Florida.
In my 15 years in the veterinary field, I have worked in general practice and wildlife medicine at the Brevard Zoo, and I also have an extensive background in ecology and wildlife research focusing on the population genetic health of endangered species.
I have lost two special dogs in my life. The experiences with Bogey and Sugar taught me how to have compassion for owners struggling with the decision to euthanize. I also learned how important it is to ensure a patient’s quality of life if an owner isn’t ready to say goodbye.
I am passionate about hospice and end-of-life care. My goal is to offer compassion and understanding as I help conclude a patient’s suffering or struggles with an illness, and owners are typically extremely grateful. I’m honored to help navigate these difficult situations.
In my spare time, I enjoy going on adventures with my two dogs, Meeka and Leeloo. Meeka and I also have fun competing in agility trials. Reading and embroidery are other hobbies I find relaxing and enriching.