Your Premier Veterinarian in Orlando, FL

Orlando native Valentina grew up always wanting a dog. She ended up volunteering at a pet rescue called Polka Dogz, which was very inspiring to her. Since both her mother and sister are physicians, it made sense for her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine by combining her love of animals with her family’s dedication to healthcare. Valentina obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCF before joining the Crystal Creek team in February 2019 as a kennel tech. Her passionate commitment to animal care led to her being promoted to technician in March 2020. While actively applying to vet school, Valentina is gaining hands-on experience caring for the patients at Crystal Creek.

At home, Valentina has two Snowshoe Siamese cats named Oliver and Ivy. In her spare time, she likes to paint, go to concerts with her friends, and cook. 

Growing up on his father’s farm in Puerto Rico, Axel fell in love with caring for animals. Many of the dogs, turtles, rabbits, chickens, spiders, snakes, and birds on the farm were well cared for by him. He fondly remembers his Golden Retriever, Biky. Axel obtained his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science before moving to Orlando in August 2019 and joining Crystal Creek in October 2019. He is actively applying to vet schools to study large and small animal medicine while building on his real-world experience at Crystal Creek. 

When he’s not surprising us with his new hairstyles, Axel enjoys playing basketball, mountain biking, fishing, and playing drums and guitar. 

Winnie has always loved animals since she was young. She found volunteering at veterinary offices and shelters in Puerto Rico very rewarding, so she decided to devote her life to saving animals. Since moving to Orlando in 2017, she has been pursuing her degree in pre-vet biology. In July 2019, she began her journey with the Crystal Creek family as a kennel tech, but worked hard to be promoted to technician in January 2020. 

Between work and studies, she still volunteers at Osceola County Animal Services. She’s the proud owner of a rescue dog named Pinky, a rescue cat named Nala, and a bunny named Moana. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and going to the park.  

Since Victoria was a child in Las Vegas, she wanted to work in veterinary medicine. Her interest in working with dogs grew from having grown up with her beloved Shiba Inu. She obtained a career diploma as a veterinary assistant from Penn-Foster Career College and joined the Crystal Creek team in May 2019. She hopes to return to school to become a licensed vet tech. 

Victoria is the proud mom of three spoiled rotten four-legged children: an English Mastiff named Bruiser, a Boxer/Lab mix named Rex, and a Greyhound/Lab mix named Storm. When she’s not providing excellent client service at Crystal Creek, she enjoys visiting all the local theme parks with her husband and friends and playing lacrosse. 

Born and raised in Orlando, Bethany grew up with a German Shepherd named Bruin and had cats and a bunny as a child. Already a lover of animals, she took a veterinary assistant class in high school which inspired her to pursue veterinary medicine as a career; with the goal of becoming a vet. A recent A.A. graduate from Valencia College, Bethany is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biology at UCF before she starts vet school. After vet school, she hopes to travel around the world to practice veterinary medicine internationally. 

Bethany is the proud owner of rescue lab-mix, Brody. A full-time technician and student, she spends much of her time away from Crystal Creek studying. When she’s not studying, she likes to paint and go to museums. Two of her favorite artists are Vincent Van Gogh and Salvador Dali. She can also be found at music festivals around Orlando. 

Chase is a native of Winter Springs, FL. His dad spent his career as a K-9 police officer, so Chase had the opportunity to be around many German Shepherd working dogs while he was growing up. He gained an interest in veterinary medicine after a friend pursued a similar career, and received his small animal practice certificate from Full Sail University. He began his own career as a technician in 2011 and worked in several clinics around Central Florida before joining Crystal Creek in April 2019. 

He’s the proud owner of a rescue cat named Shelly who was born at one of his former clinics on Christmas. In January 2020, he adopted a rescue kitten named Arya. Like many native Floridians, he enjoys spending his free time taking advantage of the beaches and lakes that Florida has to offer by surfing, riding jet skis, and fishing. 

Dr. Vergel grew up in Colombia. In 2001, he graduated from the University of Ciencias Aplicadas & Ambientales in Bogota with his doctorate in veterinary medicine. Six months later, he relocated to the United States. While waiting to take the national boards to receive his U.S. veterinary certification, he stayed busy by working in several clinics in Central Florida. He is particularly proud of the year of volunteer work he did with Affiliated Veterinary Specialists during this time. After passing the boards and becoming licensed in the U.S., he spent six years working as an associate vet at an animal hospital in Seminole County. “My passion is my responsibility for your pet's health. Once your pet is under my care, it is my sole duty to keep him or her healthy, safe, and happy. You can always expect for me to inform you of all issues that arise and work together to create a plan for me to administer treatment that will help your pet be as healthy and comfortable as possible.”

At home, Dr. Vergel enjoys spending time with his five-year-old daughter, and doodles Sofia and Theodore.

Tanya has been in the veterinary field since 2000 and has worked in every veterinary support position at one time or another. She gained her vast knowledge and experience under the tutelage of mentors and co-workers, and by hands-on learning. For twelve years, she worked in a feline exclusive practice, becoming particularly skilled at working with cats. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Small Business Management, she took on an administrative role in the industry. Despite her administrative role at Crystal Creek Animal Hospital, she can still be seen assisting during procedures and helping the doctors during exams.

“While I was in school, I would imagine myself working in some other type of industry and remembering saying to myself that there is no way I would be happy if I wasn’t working with animals.” Her philosophy is always put the animal’s health first, but never forget to ensure the owner is comfortable and confident in our abilities. “I promise to live by our mission statement by helping keep your pet healthy and happy today, and into their senior years.”

At home, Tanya enjoys spending time with her five year old daughter, and doodles Sofia and Theodore.

Beckie is a native of South Pasadena, CA who moved to Orlando in 1997. She grew up in a family that valued animals and had many cats, kittens, Cocker Spaniels, rats, a turtle, a rabbit, a guinea pig, a lizard, and fish as a child. She started working in veterinary medicine in 1994 and has worked in busy, multi-doctor hospitals in California, Washington State, and Florida as a receptionist, vet assistant, and manager. She attended UCF’s Nicholson School of Communication. In addition to her veterinary experience, she also has a background in film and television as an actress and in music as a drummer and percussionist.

At home, she enjoys spending time with her teenage son and rescue cats Conan O’Brien and Keanu Reeves. She also dabbles in digital graphics, drone operation, and is an avid L.A. Dodgers fan. “I believe in upholding the high standards deserving of Crystal Creek Animal Hospital’s patients and clients. I am committed to doing everything I can to facilitate the very best in care and service when it comes to the health and well-being of your pet.”

A native of Ocoee, FL, Amber is the longest-standing member of our team, having started with us January 2014, just months after we opened. As a child, Amber had a Rottweiler, a Dachshund, many cats, and even a few birds.  Having always loved animals, she took a college side job as a kennel tech and fell in love with veterinary medicine. She was quickly given more responsibilities as a kennel tech, then as a technician, and now as a lead technician and our primary surgical nurse. 

Amber has her A.A. degree from Valencia College, and is currently on track to obtain her B.S. in Biology from UCF with her sights set on vet school. A full-time technician and student, she has little free time, but she devotes what time she does have to volunteering with Pitbull rescue, Furever Bully Love Rescue. She also enjoys spending Sundays at the dog park and Lake Eola’s farmer’s market. 

Her pet family consists of: Luna – a Pitbull, Tank – an American Bulldog and former bait dog rescued through FBLR, Franklin – a rescue Chihuahua, Diggity – a Pitbull, and rescue cats Kitty-Kitty, Stormy, Sabrina, Junior, David, and Jinx. 

At age seventeen, Valeria decided she wanted to work closely with animals. Just one year later, she obtained her veterinary assistant certification. In 2016, we welcomed her into the Crystal Creek Animal Hospital family as a kennel tech. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Veterinary Assistant, and now a Veterinary Technician. Valeria is working on a biology degree with the goal of going to vet school and becoming a vet herself. 

Valeria has four pets at home: six-year-old Chihuahua mix, Canela, three-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog, Cookie, nine-month-old kitten, Mango, and four-month-old kitten, Lemon. “I love my job because I get the opportunity to care for and help animals back to their healthy selves, but my favorite thing is welcoming new life into this world. I will provide every animal that comes through the doors of Crystal Creek Animal Hospital the utmost attention and care he or she deserves, no matter how serious the situation.”