Meet Our Team
Meet the Veterinarians and team of Gulfshore Animal Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Team!
Our team is here to help you. Our goal is to meet your needs as it pertains to the health and well-being of your pet. Our client’s pets are family members who expect the same quality healthcare as any other family member. When your pet comes to Gulfshore Animal Hospital, it also becomes a part of our family.
Our Doctors
Dr. David Ball
Veterinarian
Dr. Dave Ball is a 1984 graduate of the University of Florida. His childhood dream, which he holds dear even today, was to bring people and their pets closer together in mutually rewarding relationships. Dr. Ball believes attaining that goal requires a solid commitment to personalized client service and education. His vision was to assemble a team of energetic, talented, and professional veterinary staff in private practice to address a client’s veterinary needs and desires. A happy client is caring, and a devoted client has a loved pet.
Dr. Kim Schemmer
Veterinarian
Dr. Kim Schemmer graduated from the University of Florida in 1986 and is deeply committed to patient care and client/doctor relationships. She directs all aspects of the hospital’s medical and surgical care. Her goal is to ensure your pet not only receives the best veterinary care but that your pet also receives the necessary loving care for a full recovery. A loved pet is a healthy pet.
Dr. Bill Swartz
Veterinarian
Dr. Bill Swartz graduated from The Ohio State University and practiced for over 40 years in Northern Virginia. He has been doing relief work in Naples since 2008. He lives with his wife, Mary Lou, in Pelican Bay and has two children and three grandsons with grand-dogs in Baltimore and Atlanta. His Bengal cat, Caymus, is a frequent companion for walks. Enjoying his profession and helping pets in Naples get excellent health care is a priority.
Dr. Eric Wagner
Veterinarian
Dr. Eric Wagner is a 1990 honors graduate of the University of Illinois. Before making Naples his second home, Dr. Wagner owned and operated a successful four-doctor veterinary practice in the Chicago North Shore area for 15 years. Dr. Wagner brings extensive experience in veterinary surgery and medicine, including chemotherapy and veterinary dentistry, to the Gulfshore Animal Hospital professional team.
Dr. Denni Cook
Veterinarian
Dr. Denni Cook graduated with honors from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Dr. Cook’s professional interests include internal medicine, ultrasound, and dentistry. She loves veterinary medicine because of the relationships that can be built between pets, owners, and veterinarians while caring for a pet, from juvenile to geriatric. Dr. Cook is committed to providing gold-standard medicine and a collaborative care approach. Dr. Cook enjoys sailing or relaxing at the beach, traveling, and weaving in her free time. She currently has one pet, a rambunctious cat named Kiki.
Dr. Clare Randt
Veterinarian
Dr. Randt is a recent Naples resident. She grew up in Hong Kong and Beijing and then attended boarding school in Connecticut. Following the New England tradition, she attended Yale University for her undergraduate degree. In 2020, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Then, she completed a year-long rotating internship at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, a significant emergency and specialty hospital. She has now moved to Naples, where her parents also live. She is happy to be working in general practice, as she believes quality preventative medicine and early medical intervention when necessary are crucial to maintaining our animals’ health and comfort. When she lived in a colder climate, she enjoyed running with her fluffball dog, Jaako. Occasionally, but only when it is cool enough, they still want a good tour. She understands that many people’s lives revolve around their pet children, as does hers. Luckily, her dog enjoys being lazy.
Dr. Stephanie Dowdy
Veterinarian
Dr. Stephanie Dowdy was born and raised in Alabama but grew up on the Gulf Coast and always had a love of animals. She never dreamed that she would be back on the Gulf Coast with her dream career. She graduated from college from a small liberal arts college in South Carolina, magna cum laude with honors, and later graduated from Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Dr. Dowdy initially practiced in Alabama then honed her skills in Maryland in a high quality AAHA accredited small animal hospital. She then moved to Naples in 2015, opened and built her own hospital in 2017, but later decided that she would rather focus on patient care than business. Her medical interests include internal medicine, diagnostic medicine, geriatric medicine, oncology, feline medicine, nutrition, and animal behavior and welfare.
Dr. Dowdy is a super fan to Auburn football and athletics and enjoys watching almost every sport, but especially Braves baseball. In her spare time, she enjoys nature and sunshine, music, family and friends, and traveling. She recently trekked across Nepal to Mount Everest Base Camp and very much enjoys nature adventure. She has two older beagle mixes, Smoltzie and Lutzy, and an orange tabby named Hudson. She has 19 hens and enjoys her pastoral life in paradise. If you like fresh eggs, she is happy to hook you up!
Our Staff
Kelly Hill
I have been passionate about animals for as long as I can remember, so it seemed natural to work in the most rewarding field – veterinary medicine. Since 1977, I have had the privilege of loving what I do for a living and will continue to educate as many people as possible about the human–animal bond. It can change your life.
Tim
I enjoy giving back to the animals who have given me so much.
Cathe
Animals have always been my passion, and it’s not work if you love what you do. I haven’t worked in years!
Crystal
At Gulfshore, I enjoy being a part of other people’s lives and enhancing them by helping their pets. I am thankful to be able to share their joy of getting a new pet, the triumph of beating an illness, and, when needed, the peace of a final goodbye. Educating people about the possibilities available for their pets enables me to help them make the best choice for care. At the end of the day, seeing the smile on an owner’s face after letting them know that things will be okay brings me immense gratification.
Karen
In my twenty-plus years at Gulfshore Animal Hospital, each day still brings new surprises and joys. Seeing how happy our clients and pets are with our friendly and caring staff is advantageous. Hugs to all our furry friends – you are all so special to me in your way!
Reba
What is a life without animals? For myself, I wouldn’t know. Animals have been a part of my life since before I could crawl. There isn’t a species I don’t love, so I choose to spend every day spending my time with what I love. I’ve spent the last six years in the Veterinary field and have done a little of everything. Between reception, kennel, and now as a technician, I’m a jack-of-all-trades of Veterinary Medicine. I’m beyond excited to get to know clients and their furry friends who visit Gulfshore Animal Hospital.
Kelly
Animals have always been unique in my heart, from a 3-pound chihuahua to a 1,200-pound thoroughbred. Every day at Gulfshore is another learning experience, and I couldn’t be more grateful to work with people who share my passion. I’ve never wanted to do something where animals weren’t involved, and I’m incredibly appreciative to Gulfshore for having me a part of their outstanding team for the last three years!
Maddy
Veterinary medicine has always been a passion of mine, even at a young age, volunteering at local animal clinics. I graduated from SPC in Tampa with an associate’s degree in science in 2016 and currently hold my CVT license in Florida. Born and raised in Naples, I enjoy boating and fishing in my spare time. I have a wonderful husband and 4 fur babies.
Dina
My love for animals began as a young child. The feeling I get from helping them cannot be described in words. Their unconditional love for us deserves them to be loved and cared for so they may live a long and healthy life. For that, I love being a veterinary technician.
Chris
Providing quality care is just one of the various benefits I sincerely enjoy here at Gulfshore. I’m deeply humbled at the opportunity to have my passion for animals realized every day.
Hanna
Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to work with animals. I received a veterinarian play kit for Christmas when I was around 5 or 6; that is when I knew what I wanted to do. Working with and being able to help animals is my passion, and I love what I do!
Mckenzie
Growing up here in Naples, I spent all my time as a child outside collecting and caring for Florida’s wildlife with my childhood dog and cat. I’ve never lived a day in my life without an animal present. All pets, may they be big or small, scaly, feathered, or furry, bring an enormous amount of enrichment to people’s lives- which is why I’ve decided to dedicate my life to helping those who bring joy to others but do not have the means to help themselves when they need it most. I’m finishing my Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science to pursue a career in Medical Zoology with an emphasis in Herpetology.
Lisa
Originally from Michigan and recently moved from Hawaii to SWFL, I have enjoyed working with animals nationwide. My husband James recently retired from the Military, and together, we have raised three children and currently have a three-legged German Shepherd named Charlie and a cat named Maui at home. I received my certification as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2015 and have done a little of everything in the Veterinary field with a focus on Surgery and Management. I’m thrilled to employ my knowledge and talents each day, getting to know the clients and providing care to the patients of Gulfshore Animal Hospital!
Tyler
All my life I’ve been around critters of all sizes and sorts. Each one unique in their own special ways. I am a happy mom to 4 silly kitties and 1 loving Goldendoodle. They always keep things interesting, but never fail to love me unconditionally. Proud to be a pet parent, and proud to be able to care for so many amazing pets each and every day. Every day is a good day when you get to do what you love, and I’m happy to say I’ve found my home here as part of the team that makes Gulfshore Animal Hospital what it is today!
Micayla
Hello, I’m Micayla and I work as a kennel technician. Born in Colorado and currently living in Naples, I have been working with animals for three years and love it. I love seeing and interacting with all the different personalities that come through our kennel!