Meet Our Doctors
Dr. Austin Plummer, Owner, Elite Fear Free Certified
Dr. Austin Plummer was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida and has had a lifelong passion for everything animal-related. 
He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Plummer has always loved St. Petersburg and upon graduation from veterinary school knew he wanted to move back to his hometown and begin practicing medicine. After several years in private practice, he was able to obtain his goal of practice ownership by opening his own veterinary hospital. “I have a passion for all aspects of veterinary medicine, but I have a special interest in radiology and internal medicine.”
In addition to the DVM curriculum, Dr. Plummer received a certificate in business management and shelter medicine. He is proficient in abdominal ultrasonography and is a skilled soft tissue surgeon. Dr. Plummer finds client education extremely important and always takes the extra time to explain disease processes and test results to his clients.
Dr. Plummer and his wife Samantha have 3 dogs, 2 goats, 6 chickens, and numerous aquatic pets at their home in St. Petersburg.
“My wife and I both really love animals, it’s one of the biggest things we share and we have made our home reflective of that. We are both extremely passionate about rescue animals and always try to have a foster dog in our home.”
Dr. Michael Dibler
Dr. Michael Dibler was born and raised on the east coast of Florida. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology and his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Florida. He is currently pursuing certification in canine and feline rehabilitation and physical therapy from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Dibler is passionate about all aspects of veterinary medicine. His special interests include internal medicine, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, canine and feline rehabilitation, as well as geriatric medicine and palliative care. Like Dr. Plummer, Dr. Dibler also makes client education a top priority. “Taking that extra time to explain the how’s and why’s with regard to your pets health and medical needs is, in my mind, a standard of care.”
Dr. Dibler is an active member of the Alumni Executive Board at University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (UF CVM). He serves as a co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is an administrator for the UF CVM Alumni Facebook group. Dr. Dibler is a transgender man who is active in the veterinary LGBTQ+ community. He frequently attends speaking engagements across the country to provide education on LGBTQ+ diversity for the veterinary community.
In his free time, Dr. Dibler likes to spend time with his wife, Nicky and their elderly chihuahua, Chloe, and their young cat, Rey. Dr. Dibler is an avid trumpet player who plays with the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Colorguard in Orlando and Brass Hysteria here in St. Pete.
Meet Our Technicians
Michelle Werden, CVT, Office Manager, and Fear Free Certified
I am married to my husband Andy, a mother to Abby, a 7-year-old rescued Cocker Spaniel, and a business owner. As a young child, I gravitated towards animals due to their unassuming, non-judgmental, and honest personalities. Their resiliency and forgiving nature have been a continuing life lesson for me. After a 20-year career as a staff accountant, I made the decision to step outside of my comfort zone and retire. I left a job that I excelled at and that I was very comfortable in to pursue my passion for animal care. I was accepted into the Veterinary Nursing program at SPC in June of 2017. I graduated with honors in May of 2019 and subsequently became a CVT bypassing the VTNE in August of that same year. I began my veterinary career in May of 2017 with a small single veterinarian practice, which I continue to do relief work for. In May of 2018, I also began working at Pet Pal Veterinary Clinic. I have been an active volunteer with Pet Pal Animal Shelter since 2016 and have been a hospice foster with Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue since 2013. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Andy, Abby, and my family, working in my organic garden, and volunteering with the shelter. 
Rebecca Johnson, CVT, Technician Manager, and Fear Free Certified
Hi! My Name is Rebecca. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Fl. I currently live in Largo with my husband, our 4 dogs (Roxy, Neo, Apollo, and Bubba), 3 bearded dragons, ball python, and a turtle. My pets are my kids. I graduated from the SPC Veterinary Technology Program in 2012 and have over 14 years of experience working with animals. I treat every patient as if he/she were my own. In my free time, I like to do ceramics, go kayaking, watch Netflix and spend time with family.
Soraya Baz Fahad, Lead Technician
Hey! My name is Soraya. I was born in the United States, raised in Egypt, and moved to the UK for work. I started my career in animal care there, earning a Level 2 NVQ in Horse Care and Management. I moved back to Florida to continue my education, graduating from the University of Tampa with a BSC in Biology with a Chemistry minor. My passion for the veterinary field grew as I worked as a technician in an equine hospital, doing ER shifts, and then in a daytime small animal clinic. I love to help all my patients, big and small, feel better so they can live their best lives! In the future, I hope to pursue this goal further by going to vet school myself. My furbabies are my long-haired German Shepherd, Tegan, my foster fail mixed breed pup Styx, and my rescue kitty, Nugget. Outside of work, I love to foster animals through local rescues, play board games with friends, and enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking and camping.
Sarah Groendyke
Hi! My name is Sarah, I was born and raised in Miami, FL but moved to St Pete 2 years ago. I live with my boyfriend and our pets, a dog named Charles Barkley and a cat named Gigi. It has been my dream to work with animals since I was a child watching Emergency Vets and Steve Irwin on TV, and I feel very lucky to be able to follow that passion. In my free time I enjoy crochet, spending time at the beach, and playing DND.
Daniel Lashley
Hi! My name is Daniel and I was born and raised in Michigan until I moved down to Florida to find a change of environment and pursue my career as a veterinary technician. I started working with animals when I was 19 and have always loved the goofy personalities of all animals and earning their trust within the hospital. I have a rescue lab/pitbull mix named Ryder and a rescue cat named Damien as well as 3 rats. Outside of work I love doing arts and crafts, outdoor activities and listening to music.
Brittany Liszeski
Hello, my name is Brittany and I am a native Floridian, having grown up in Largo. I am a graduate of the University of Florida, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences- Go Gators! I have my Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences, specializing in Equine Industry, and my Master’s degree in Equine Reproductive Physiology. I have minors in Agriculture and Extension Education, Agribusiness Sales and Marketing, and Philosophy. I am currently enrolled in Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician certification program, and I will be pursuing my CVT certificate and eventually a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager designation. My passion for the veterinary field grew as a child while enrolled in 4H and showing my horses, as well as becoming a Level 2 CCHA Riding Instructor certification. I have worked with animals in some capacity since middle school, from Riding Instructor to Broodmare Manager to Veterinary Nurse to Clinical Manager. I love all animals, big and small, but my passion is in the equestrian world. I hope to open a breeding and training facility in Tennessee someday. I love learning, and I am constantly updating my knowledge base on the latest technology, husbandry, and technician health and wellness aspects of the field. I am Advanced CPR and First Aid Certified, and I am also working towards my Fear Free certification. I currently live in Largo with my husband, Ryan, our two dogs, Riley, a female Boxer/Rottweiler Mix, and Buddy, an American Staffordshire Terrier, and my Paso Fino pony of 25+ years, Dutchess. In my free time, I love to volunteer at my church, travel, spend time at the barn, go to the shooting range, ride my Harley Davidson, and read a good book (usually a textbook!) I look forward to meeting you and your furry children!
Kelly Gelsomino
Hey! My name is Kelly! I have lived in Florida for 5 years but I’m originally from Illinois. I have two dogs which are my children. Bella is my beagle mix and Rocky is my handsome pitbull. I love working in Veterinary medicine not only to help animals, but to make a difference on how people are feeling in stressful situations. In my free time, I like to explore downtown St. Pete and its beauty with my fiancé Chris (we are foodies) and go to the beach to look for shells and shark teeth. I look forward to meeting you and your children!
Meet Our Client Service Representatives
Breanna Rougerio, Front Desk Manager
My name is Bre Rougerio. I am originally from a small town in West Virginia and have recently moved to the St. Petersburg area. Being a military spouse I have lived in multiple states and I am excited to finally make Florida my home.
I knew from a young age I wanted to work with animals as I have always had love and compassion for them. I have been in the veterinary field for over 5 years now as a receptionist as well as a veterinarian assistant.
I have a German Shepherd named Remi, a Golden Retriever named Deuxbee, and a cat named Bailey that rules the house. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors and doing activities with my pets.
I look forward to meeting you and providing you with the most positive and comforting experience here at PPH!
Mary Casillo
Hi! My name is Mary. I was born and raised in N.E. Ohio, that’s where I started my 18-year veterinary receptionist career. I currently live in Clearwater with my husband Bobby and our 5 furbabies. Bruno is a pug/chihuahua mix, Beetle is a pug mix, Pebbles is a terrier mix, Flash is a terrier/chihuahua mix and Cassie is a lab/mountain cur mix. They are all rescues and make me laugh every day!
Outside of work I enjoy spending time at home with my hubby and our pups. I love going to the beach, bike riding, doing landscaping around the house and we recently got a kayak to help us enjoy this beautiful Florida weather.
I truly enjoy working in this field and it makes me happy to be able to be here for you and your furbabies. I love animals and will treat yours like they are my own. I look forward to meeting all of you!
Lori Penetar
Hi, my name is Lori and I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. Tired of the cold weather, we moved south and I now live in St Petersburg with my husband, Mike, and our large rescue family of fur babies; including, our American Staffordshire Terrier, Maximus; our little Shi Tzu, Dallas; our newest and largest, Cooper, the Labradane; Paulix and Sage our Tabbies, our grey cat, Luci-Furr; and last but not least our 3 turtles; Darwin, Charley, and Sheldon. We also have two human children, a son, Mikey (28), and a daughter, Jordan (32), and a granddaughter, Addison (9).
In my spare time, I love spending time with my babies, my granddaughter, and my husband, hanging out at the beach, boating, and riding my motorcycle with my husband.
My passion has always been caring for animals of all kinds and my dream would be for every pet to find it forever home. I look forward to meeting you and your fur baby!
Jasmine Miles
Hi, my name is Jasmine. I live in St. Pete with my boyfriend and two dogs, Stormy and Rosie. I’m currently attending USF to finish my bachelor’s in Integrative Animal Biology. I love being in nature especially when hiking and exploring new areas. One of my goals in life is to go to South Africa and work with lions and cheetahs. I can’t wait to meet you and your fur babies!