Ever since he can remember, Dr. Brett Zielinski always had a fascination with animals, nature and ecology. Being raised outside of Chicago, Illinois; he became one of the many who escaped the Midwestern winter for the Florida sunshine when he made the decision to get his Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology followed by his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida.
Dr. Zielinski’s focus is with general practice and preventative care. His passion comes from being able to make strong connections with his patients and their owners, and create practical and effective plans that lead to the best quality of life for each individual patient.
When not at work, if Dr. Zielinski could be doing anything it would be surrounding himself by nature. When that is not possible you could find him traveling, enjoying time with family and friends, or just relaxing with his pets.
From a young age, Dr. Vega was adamant about pursuing a career working with animals. Dr. Vega was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, where he double majored in Anthropology and Criminology. Dr. Vega then went on to obtain his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from UF.
After veterinary school, Dr. Vega moved to the Tampa Bay area, where he enjoys providing quality and compassionate care to his patients. Although a general practitioner, Dr. Vega’s fields of interest include dentistry and dermatology.
Outside of work, Dr. Vega enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, traveling, and gardening.
Dr. Montefusco has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since childhood and has always been passionate about helping both animals and the people who love them. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University in 2026.
During veterinary school, Dr. Montefusco completed critical care externships at VEG and Nashville Veterinary Specialists, as well as a general practice preceptorship that confirmed her passion for lifelong patient care and building lasting relationships with clients. She has a special interest in preventive medicine, wellness care, and dermatology, and enjoys helping pets stay healthy while improving the quality of life for those dealing with chronic skin conditions. She also hopes to pursue advanced training in physical rehabilitation and veterinary acupuncture in the future.
Dr. Montefusco believes every pet deserves individualized care. She is committed to providing thorough, compassionate medicine while ensuring clients understand their pet’s health and treatment options. Her goal is for every family to leave feeling informed, supported, and confident in the care plan they created together.
Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Dr. Montefusco relocated to Florida to be closer to family and is excited to call the Gulf Coast home. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys hiking, exploring parks with her dogs, working out, horseback riding, reading, and trying new crafts. Her home is shared with two dogs, Kenickie and Jaxson, along with Cobbler the cat and Mable the leopard gecko.
Angela is native to the Tampa Bay area. She began her journey in veterinary medicine in 2012, while attending Eckerd College, where she studied Health Care Management. Like many in the field, she initially wanted to become a Veterinarian but by 2014 Angela decided she wanted to advocate not only for pets, but also for the professionals who dedicate their lives to them.
Within five years, Angela achieved several accolades for developing teams and processes as a lead veterinary technician, which further solidified her career path to focusing on hospital operations.
Throughout her career, Angela gained experience through working in shelter, specialty, and corporate veterinary settings. However, her heart lies in general practice, where she can make an impact for the pets, pet parents and professionals within her local community.
Mattie was born in Gainesville, FL and has always had a passion for animals. Mattie started in the field in 2014 and shortly after attended SPC’s veterinary technician program. Her specialties are surgery procedures and educating new pet owners.
Outside of work, Mattie enjoys spending time hiking the Carolinas, nature watching her friendly neighborhood gators from her dock and spending time with her Great Dane, Jude and Mastiff/Staffie Mix, Hero.
Inspired by the legendary Steve Irwin, Isaiah has been working with animals for over nine years. He began his journey in the kennel just six months after high school and gradually moved through several roles, including reception and veterinary assistant, before becoming a full-time technician. Isaiah has a special love for reptiles and rottweilers and brings his upbeat, goofy energy to every shift. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, going fishing, and spending time with his daughter. He also has a passion for coaching and previously served as the head JV basketball coach at Sickles High School. Whether it’s a new pet or a new challenge, Isaiah is always ready with gummy worms in hand and a smile on his face.
Cora has been working as a certified veterinary technician for ten years. Originally from St. Petersburg, Fl she has worked first hand with many organizations throughout Tampa Bay and especially enjoys doing relief work with ZooTampa.
In her free time Cora enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, kayaking, hiking, camping, and when she is stuck indoors making arts and crafts.
Ashlyn moved from Pennsylvania to sunny St. Pete, Florida to pursue her degree in Animal Studies and Psychology at Eckerd College. She then attended SPC’s veterinary technology program to become a CVT. While in college, she began fostering animals and felt a calling toward helping sick kittens. Learning to provide simple medical care to her fosters at home led to an interest in the veterinary field.
In her free time, you can find Ashlyn out on the water, at the beach, or training her pups.
Lauren was born and raised in Clearwater, FL. She has always had a passion for animals and graduated from Tarpon Vet Assistant program in 2017. After graduation, Lauren went on to work with animals as a trainer at Busch Gardens for several years. She recently worked for a local rescue where she cared for pets both sick and healthy.
In addition to her love of pets, Lauren enjoys traveling, listening to music and crocheting.
Originally from Minnesota, Chelsea moved to Florida to embrace new opportunities and warmer days. With a background in customer service and doggie daycare, she developed a genuine passion for veterinary medicine and enjoys supporting both pets and the people who love them.
At Bayview, you’ll find Chelsea welcoming clients at the front desk, answering questions with a warm smile, and helping care for pets in our boarding area. Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors, trying new recipes, diving into craft and art projects, and relaxing at home with her two beloved cats, Emmy and Topaz.
Chelsea brings a kind, patient, and thoughtful presence to the Bayview team, and she looks forward to getting to know each of our wonderful clients and patients.
Originally from Maryland, Shelby has been working in veterinary medicine since 2019. She began her career as a veterinary assistant before becoming a veterinary technician. Over time, she discovered a passion for client communication and transitioned into a client service role, where she enjoys building relationships with pet owners and advocating for the health and well-being of their pets.
Shelby has a special place in her heart for cats, especially senior felines. She enjoys educating clients about the importance of routine wellness testing and laboratory work to help pets stay healthy and enjoy the best quality of life possible.
At home, Shelby has two beloved cats: Jaco, an 8-year-old black Domestic Shorthair, and Misa, a 6-year-old white Domestic Shorthair. When she’s not at Bayview, she enjoys relaxing with television, especially The Walking Dead or any cooking show, even though she’d be the first to admit she doesn’t actually cook!
Shelby is excited to be part of the Bayview Animal Hospital team and looks forward to helping every client and their pets feel welcomed and cared for during each visit.
Mick brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and a lifelong passion for animals to Bayview Animal Hospital. Before joining the veterinary field, he spent more than seven years as a biomedical engineer, contributing to human medical research, laboratory development, and innovative healthcare technologies. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where his work focused on research, medical device development, and laboratory sciences.
When research funding came to a halt, Mick saw an opportunity to apply his strong technical background, problem-solving skills, and love for animals in veterinary medicine. As a Veterinary Assistant, he enjoys the various aspects of patient care. Mick has been essential when it comes to supporting both the medical team and the families who entrust Bayview with their pets.
Outside of work, Mick enjoys spending time with friends and family and relaxing with his special needs kitty, Leo, who always keeps life interesting.
Born and raised in Largo, Florida, Ashley has spent more than 11 years working in veterinary medicine. She began her career as a volunteer at the ASPCA before advancing into kennel technician and client service representative roles. Since then, she has gained experience in shelter medicine, general practice, emergency medicine, and veterinary leadership.
Ashley is passionate about supporting both clients and her team. She believes the best leaders work alongside those they lead, creating a positive environment where everyone can grow and provide exceptional patient care. She especially enjoyed her time in emergency medicine and has a particular interest in cardiology.
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys geocaching and exploring new places with her wife. At home, she shares life with Presley, an 11-year-old Rat Terrier/Jack Russell Terrier mix, and Mako, a 6-year-old Boxer/Hound mix.
Ashley loves being part of the Bayview team and appreciates how welcoming and supportive everyone has been. She looks forward to helping every client and pet feel comfortable, cared for, and valued during each visit.
Alex brings eight years of experience working with animals, beginning her career at a boarding and grooming facility where she gained experience in pet care, client scheduling, and eventually facility management. As a Client Service Representative at Bayview Animal Hospital, she enjoys helping pet owners navigate their pets’ medical care and ensuring every client feels supported throughout their visit.
Alex has a special interest in surgery and is always eager to learn more about veterinary medicine. At home, she shares her life with two cats, Hiro and Mingming, and two energetic dogs, Echo and Rowan, who keep her on her toes. Outside of work, Alex enjoys technical theatre, with a background in stage management and lighting. She loves being part of the Bayview team and values the supportive, collaborative environment she shares with her coworkers.
Shari has been a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) for more than 25 years after earning her Associate in Veterinary Technology from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in 2001. She has a special passion for anesthesia and surgery and enjoys helping pets recover safely while supporting their families through every step of care.
One of Shari’s favorite parts of veterinary medicine is seeing the happiness and relief on an owner’s face when their pet is feeling better. She also enjoys the supportive, laid-back atmosphere at Bayview and being part of a team dedicated to exceptional patient care.
Outside of work, Shari enjoys spending time by the pool with her family and her two rescued pit bull mixes, Rolo and Dixie. She’s also a proud self-proclaimed bird nerd.
