Dr. Anne Luther

Practice Owner, Hospital Director, Lead Veterinarian

Dr. Anne Luther was only five years old when she first started riding horses. A few years later, she adopted her first dog. Her passion for the health and well-being of animals hasn’t wavered since those earliest days spent with her beloved companions—Dr. Luther always knew that a career spent bettering the lives of pets would suit her perfectly! Now, she owns and operates her very own state-of-the-art veterinary hospital: Sarasota Animal Medical Center.

Dr. Luther was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. She attended veterinary school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, graduating in 1985, and remained in the area for a few years to work at a mixed-animal practice. Next, Dr. Luther decided to specialize in small-animal medicine and surgery and moved to Philadelphia, where she served as the primary surgeon at a busy 24-hour hospital.

A few years later, Dr. Luther relocated to Hampton, New Hampshire with her family and purchased a large multi-doctor animal hospital. She would help pets and their owners there for the next 10 years before moving to the Reno, Nevada area and opening two separate businesses: a full-service practice in Reno and an acupuncture clinic in Lake Tahoe. Five years later, in 2008, Dr. Luther sold her businesses and moved to Florida to be closer to her elderly parents and purchased what would become Sarasota Animal Medical Center. Dr. Luther has been tending to the needs of the area’s pets ever since!

Medically, Dr. Luther enjoys diagnostic ultrasounds and echocardiography. She completed advanced training and certification in both at the Sound Institute in Texas, the only program of its kind in the country. She’s also passionate about alternative medical therapies, such as Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Most of all, she loves the satisfaction she gets from making a lasting difference in the lives of not only pets, but their entire families.

Dr. Luther has enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including alpine skiing, water skiing, horseback riding, and photography. She lives in Sarasota with her husband, Mike. They have a popular rock band, Black Thorn Rose. Dr. Luther plays keyboards and is the lead vocalist and Mike plays bass guitar. She has three grown children and a pair of wonderful grandchildren.

Dr. Sarena von der Heyde

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Sarena von der Heyde grew up in rural Zimbabwe helping her mother and grandmother practice traditional healthcare for humans and animals alike. By the age of four, young Dr. von der Heyde had decided what she would do for the rest of her life: help as many animals as she possibly could by serving as a veterinarian. Her dream hasn’t wavered—now, she’s proud to help the pets and animals of Sarasota as a member of the Sarasota Animal Medical Center team!

Dr. von der Heyde earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia, then took on an extensive surgery and ambulatory internship at a prestigious equine clinic in Ocala, Florida. She worked as an equine practitioner for the next five years in Sarasota, then went on to combine equine care, emergency work, and holistic medicine into her methods of practice for the next 10 years.

Dr. von der Heyde has also completed advanced training in veterinary traditional Chinese medicine at the Chi Institute, and has studied many aspects of holistic medicine including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy, Tui Na, Bowen therapy, healing touch, homeopathic care, homotoxicology, tension release, and Western herbal medicine. For her, being able to connect these integrative approaches with her childhood experience in traditional herbal medicine is extremely rewarding! Dr. von der Heyde couldn’t be happier to help the pets and animal owners of the Sarasota area experience the wonderful healing effects of her whole-body approach to animal care.

Dr. Laurie Greene

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Laurie Greene grew up as a “military brat”, moving from base to base throughout her father’s Air Force career. The constant in her life during all these exciting globe-trotting moves were the family pets. She and her sisters would dress the dogs and cats up, make up songs for them, and cuddle them through each new change of duty station. It was not long before Dr. Greene’s career path was set on veterinary medicine.

Dr. Greene attended The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she focused on dog and cat medicine. After graduation, she headed west to California where she enjoyed caring for a wide variety of pets as well as learning windsurfing and snow skiing, hiking the foothills of the Santa Ana mountains, exploring the nearby deserts, and off-roading in Baja California. She was privileged to see Halley’s Comet pass while camping in the desert!

Eventually, the east coast called and Dr. Greene moved first to Connecticut, then eventually to New York City. She enjoyed many years of practice in NY, where she was introduced to Chinese herbal therapies, Acupuncture and Reiki healing. While in NY, Dr. Greene did her training in Chinese medicine and is now a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.

Although Dr. Greene loved the vitality and excitement of NYC, after a few too many miserable winters and stepping off curbs into deep puddles of icy slush, Dr. Greene decided that Florida was a much better idea. She loves the gorgeous beaches of Sarasota and the lively arts scene the area enjoys. She is a great fan of opera and classical music, and was delighted to discover that both of these thrive in Sarasota.

Dr. Greene enjoys utilizing western and alternative medicine to provide the best possible health care for the dogs and cats that she loves to work with. She is delighted to be part of the family at Sarasota Animal Medical Center.

Dr. Jose Navarro

Veterinarian

Dr. Jose Navarro is a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian with over two decades of experience in the field. After graduating with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Venezuela in 2002, he relocated to the United States in 2016 and has since called New York City home until August 2023 when he moved to Sarasota. With a strong passion for animal welfare and a commitment to providing exceptional care, Dr. Navarro has built a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable professional in his field. He is excited to connect with fellow professionals to provide superior care for the patients at Sarasota Animal Medical Center.

Dr. Helen Fitzgerald

Veterinarian

Helen Fitzgerald was born in Brazil and her education focused on academics, working with animals and agriculture. Helen graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2006 from the Catholic University of Dom Bosco, in Campo Grande – Mato Grosso do Sul. She is a licensed veterinarian in Brazil and the US. Helen moved to the US in 2017 and became a permanent resident in 2021. Helen lives with her husband, Eric Fitzgerald, a retired army officer and business owner. They have two dogs, Eli a yellow Labrador, and Ozzy, a miniature dachshund.

Laura

Technician Supervisor

Laura was born in Colombia and lived around the world with her family before settling in Florida, where she developed her love for the sun, beach, and veterinary medicine. She has been a veterinary technician for eighteen years, and has worked with various specialties including: Internal Medicine, Neurology, Surgery, and Emergency and Critical Care. While not at work, Laura enjoys spending time with her Australian Shepherd mixes, wood-working, playing soccer, and swimming in the ocean.

Linda

Veterinary Technician

Linda earned her degree as a Licensed Veterinary Technician while living in Alaska where her husband was stationed in the Army. She spent the next 8 years working in emergency and critical care where she nursed dogs, cats, and exotics and even a few injured moose calves and muskox! Moving to Florida in 2021, she continued working in emergency and urgent care until she joined the team at SAMC in 2024. Fear Free Certified, she has a soft spot for fearful and reactive animals, advocating for their care regardless of their temperament.

She is passionate about all things emergency, and is a RECOVER CPR certified rescuer and instructor. When not working, you’re likely to find her on the flat track playing roller derby with the Bradentucky Bombers, scuba diving, or just relaxing at home with her 4 dogs, 2 cats and husband.

Angelina

Veterinary Nurse

Angelina is a Sarasota native and absolutely loves the ability to care for the animals in the local area here at Sarasota Animal Medical Center. She has been involved as a nurse in veterinary medicine for the past 12 years. Some of her favorite modalities in vet med include surgery and veterinary dentistry. Angelina gets the most motivation from her patients and their caregivers, through her empathic nature and ability to connect with others. She is a mother to her daughter and their cat Noodles. In her free time she thoroughly enjoys culinary cooking, creating delicious dishes for everyone to enjoy.

Jaime

Veterinary Nurse

Jaime is originally from Central Illinois and has been in Florida for over 13 years. Jaime has been involved in veterinary medicine for over 12 years. His passions in the field include Urgent Care, Surgery and Anesthesia. He enjoys the sense of accomplishment he feels from helping with animals’ health. In his spare time, he enjoys cruising around the world and reading.

Jennifer

Veterinary Nurse

Jennifer is a dedicated veterinary technician with a passion for delivering exceptional care to animals. Born and raised in Sarasota, Florida, she relocated to Georgia in 2017 and began her journey in the veterinary field as a kennel technician. Through hard work and determination, she has advanced her skills and expertise, developing a special interest in surgery, dentals, and fostering strong bonds with clients and their beloved pets. With a warm and caring approach, Jennifer is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of animals and their families. When she’s not caring for animals, you can find Jennifer soaking up the sunshine and fresh air, whether it’s on a trail walk with her two fur babies, spending a day on the boat, or lounging by the pool. Her love for the outdoors and animals shines through in everything she does!

Anllely

Veterinary Nurse

Anllely is a veterinary professional with over two decades of experience in animal care and medicine. She graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Venezuela in 2001 and is currently pursuing licensure in the United States, furthering her commitment to providing exceptional care for animals. Since relocating to the United States in 2016, she called New York City and now Sarasota, Florida, home. Her passion for veterinary medicine is matched only by her love for the animals and people she serves. Anllely is currently a veterinary nurse at Sarasota Animal Medical Center and looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her

Bridget Nichols

Office Manager

Bridget was born and raised in Texas. After moving to upstate New York she began her career in the veterinary field while in college. She initially started as a receptionist and worked her way through many positions in the clinic to ultimately become practice manager. A role that became her passion for 20 plus years. She recently moved to Sarasota with her 3 dogs, Rocky, Remi and Ellie to enjoy kayaking, boating and all the great things Florida has to offer.

Her goal is for clients and patients to have a wonderful experience at SAMC from start to finish.

Christi

Client Care Representative

Chistianne was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She moved to Florida in 1998 when she started in the veterinary industry as a Client Care Representative. As a huge animal lover, she enjoys every day being able to help animals of every age and breed. Chistianne especially enjoys more of the holistic style of medicine and being able to learn about the different modalities that a more integrative clinic has to offer. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her Bulldog Mix, Haze at the beach! Together, they also enjoy scary movies and attending concerts.