Meet the veterinarians
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. Tiffany Matheson
Growing up in rural Oklahoma I had many pets, some of which included dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, and even pigs. I spent nearly all my time with them or reading about them and when I was only five years old I told my parents that I wanted to be a veterinarian.
For my 16th birthday I got a Dalmatian puppy named Molly. Molly was my baby, and she was with me through high school, undergraduate college, and vet school. During my final year of vet school though, Molly became ill with chronic liver disease and 2 days after graduation I had to make the decision to let her go. This was my first time having to make that decision and while it was very difficult I was thankful that I was able to give Molly the gift of ending her pain.
Throughout the past 9 years while working as a Veterinarian, I have helped many people say goodbye to their babies and I feel privileged to have been able to give them a peaceful and loving last memory.
About Dr. Kimberly Moen
I grew up in California and Arizona. Along the way, I connected with many creatures, large and small, and they have been a core part of my life. Since I was old enough to walk, I played by butting heads with my goat Willie, rode horses with joy, and sneaked around the forest to catch a glimpse of wild deer. I even found a "secret" place for a new kitten amongst my stuffed animals so I could keep her inside the house. As a child, most of my conversations revolved around how my friends’ pets were doing.
I formed a strong bond with my childhood dog, Katie Mae. She was a Labrador/Husky mix who sang beautifully with the coyotes at night and befriended my guinea pig, Skittles, who shared veggies with her. We took care of each other for ten amazing years. When, Katie suffered from a systemic infection beyond treatment, it crushed me. I have endured the loss of many beloved companions over the course of my life, and deeply understand the strong the connection between an animal and a human.
It was inevitable that I would take the Veterinarian's oath to help animals, to prevent and relieve their suffering. So, I proudly graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine after doing my clinical rotations at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. I then went on to gain experience through general practice. Now, it is my desire to support and connect with people and their beloved animals alike. Through providing in-home hospice and peaceful transitions, I achieve this goal. For me, it is a beautiful thing to offer comfort and guidance to people during their most challenging and selfless gift to their furry family members.
About Dr. Elizabeth Hugger
I grew up the youngest of 4 children in sunny south Florida and my parents were not particularly fond of animals but my oldest brother and I loved them! Being 13 years older than I am, he would take me to pet stores every weekend so we could play with the puppies, ferrets, bunnies, and anything else we could snuggle. By the age of six, I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian.
I volunteered at veterinary clinics throughout middle and high school and went to the University of Florida for my undergraduate degree and Texas A&M University for my veterinary degree. While there, I was fortunate enough to work with all kinds of animals ranging from dogs and cats to cattle and horses, and even marine mammals and wildlife.
After veterinary school, my husband and I moved to Tampa where I worked in small animal practice, both corporate and private. While working, I became acutely aware of how special it was to help owners cope with the hardships in making decisions about their beloved pets’ end of life care. I find it an honor to help families find peace with one of the most selfless decisions they will ever make and that feeling is what led me to Lap of Love. Our pets give us so much love and change our lives forever, and we will always cherish the sweet memories of times we had together.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France
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. Tiffany Matheson
Growing up in rural Oklahoma I had many pets, some of which included dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, and even pigs. I spent nearly all my time with them or reading about them and when I was only five years old I told my parents that I wanted to be a veterinarian.
For my 16th birthday I got a Dalmatian puppy named Molly. Molly was my baby, and she was with me through high school, undergraduate college, and vet school. During my final year of vet school though, Molly became ill with chronic liver disease and 2 days after graduation I had to make the decision to let her go. This was my first time having to make that decision and while it was very difficult I was thankful that I was able to give Molly the gift of ending her pain.
Throughout the past 9 years while working as a Veterinarian, I have helped many people say goodbye to their babies and I feel privileged to have been able to give them a peaceful and loving last memory.
About Dr. Kimberly Moen
I grew up in California and Arizona. Along the way, I connected with many creatures, large and small, and they have been a core part of my life. Since I was old enough to walk, I played by butting heads with my goat Willie, rode horses with joy, and sneaked around the forest to catch a glimpse of wild deer. I even found a "secret" place for a new kitten amongst my stuffed animals so I could keep her inside the house. As a child, most of my conversations revolved around how my friends’ pets were doing.
I formed a strong bond with my childhood dog, Katie Mae. She was a Labrador/Husky mix who sang beautifully with the coyotes at night and befriended my guinea pig, Skittles, who shared veggies with her. We took care of each other for ten amazing years. When, Katie suffered from a systemic infection beyond treatment, it crushed me. I have endured the loss of many beloved companions over the course of my life, and deeply understand the strong the connection between an animal and a human.
It was inevitable that I would take the Veterinarian's oath to help animals, to prevent and relieve their suffering. So, I proudly graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine after doing my clinical rotations at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. I then went on to gain experience through general practice. Now, it is my desire to support and connect with people and their beloved animals alike. Through providing in-home hospice and peaceful transitions, I achieve this goal. For me, it is a beautiful thing to offer comfort and guidance to people during their most challenging and selfless gift to their furry family members.
About Dr. Elizabeth Hugger
I grew up the youngest of 4 children in sunny south Florida and my parents were not particularly fond of animals but my oldest brother and I loved them! Being 13 years older than I am, he would take me to pet stores every weekend so we could play with the puppies, ferrets, bunnies, and anything else we could snuggle. By the age of six, I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian.
I volunteered at veterinary clinics throughout middle and high school and went to the University of Florida for my undergraduate degree and Texas A&M University for my veterinary degree. While there, I was fortunate enough to work with all kinds of animals ranging from dogs and cats to cattle and horses, and even marine mammals and wildlife.
After veterinary school, my husband and I moved to Tampa where I worked in small animal practice, both corporate and private. While working, I became acutely aware of how special it was to help owners cope with the hardships in making decisions about their beloved pets’ end of life care. I find it an honor to help families find peace with one of the most selfless decisions they will ever make and that feeling is what led me to Lap of Love. Our pets give us so much love and change our lives forever, and we will always cherish the sweet memories of times we had together.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France
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.