Lake Area Animal Hospital

Lake Area Animal Hospital is a well-established, full service, small and large animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care as well as full grooming services. We have 2 clinics, one in Hawthorne,FL and the other in Melrose, FL.

We also offer farm visits and house calls. We now offer expanding boarding services for dogs and cats, as well as a grooming salon and spa. You can even take positive reinforcement dog training classes at our Melrose Clinic. Sign up with Melanie Phillpot of Eagerpup.com! We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house testing and the use of external laboratories. We also work closely with local practices when special diagnostics procedures are required. Our two facilities include well-stocked pharmacies, in-hospital surgery suites, in-house x-ray capabilities, closely supervised hospitalization areas as well as indoor boarding kennels at our Melrose facility with outdoor walking areas.

At Lake Area Animal Hospital we strive to offer not only sound advice, but also optimal veterinary care, thus allowing you the enjoyment of your companion for a maximum numbers of years. Our job is not only to treat your pet when he or she isn't feeling well, but also to help you learn how to keep your best friend happy and healthy.

Melrose Location
8762 State Road 21
Melrose, FL 32666
Phone: 352-475-2326
After Hours: 352-318-2990
Email Us
Get Directions

Hawthorne Location
7410 SE US Highway 301
Hawthorne, FL 32640
352-481-4333
or 352-473-4444
See More Info for Hours

Our Veterinarians 2011
Shane Henry, DVM, Owner

Dr. Henry graduated with honors and a BS in Chemistry from the University of FL in 1976, then went on to graduate from Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1981, Doctor Henry started Lake Area Animal Hospital in Hawthorne, FL and five years later added a second clinic in Melrose. Dr. Henry practices both small and large animal medicine. His hobbies include flying, fishing and scuba diving.
Jennifer Blackburn, DVM

Dr. Blackburn graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She also earned her Bachelors degree in Animal Biology through UF. Dr. Blackburn has been working at Lake Area Animal Hospital since graduation and has a special interest in feline medicine, internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. She and her husband have lived in the Gainesville area since 1993. They share their lives with English Springer Spaniels, Becky and Sydney, brown tabby cat Little, orange tabby Lambert, and a rabbit named Stampy. Dr. B and her entire family are avid Gator Football fans. When she is not cheering on the Gators, Dr. Blackburn enjoys spending time at home with her husband and pets.
Kim Seredick, DVM
Candy Henry, Co-Owner
Darlene, Office Manager/CVT

Darlene's love of animals began when she grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania. After moving to Florida with her family, Darlene began volunteering at Lake Area Animal Hospital when she was 17 years old. She has been a loyal and devoted full-time staff member since 1999, not only becoming head technician at our Melrose location, but also taking on responsibilities as Office Manager. Darlene graduated with an AS degree in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College and passed both her State and National Exams in June 2009 to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. She spends most of her free time with her husband William and their beautiful daughters Marissa and Mia.
Courtney, Veterinary Nurses

Courtney, who moved to Florida from New York as a child, has been with Lake Area Animal Hospital since August 2006. She lives with her husband Travis and their son Lucius. Courtney loves the outdoors life and enjoys hunting, boating and fishing. She also enjoys attending Lucius' baseball games and spending time with family and friends. Courtney is an avid American Pit Bull Terrier lover and she, Travis and Lucius share their lives with three APBT's: Trixie, Mona Lisa and Mighty Magnus. She has competed at dog shows and won with Mona Lisa. Her love for the breed began when she was a little girl, but that is also when she first encountered prejudice against the breed because her parents were afraid to own one. Happily for Courtney, her devotion to the breed has converted her family and APBT's are now beloved family members throughout her extended family. Courtney's love for her dogs in particular and the breed in general has made her an outspoken advocate for these family-friendly pups, helping dispel the negative image associated with the breed. She says, "Punish the deed, not the breed!"
Reggie, Veterinary Nurses

Reggie has been with Lake Area Animal Hospital since the mid 80's and is a valuable team member. She lives with her family which includes her husband, daughters, dogs, cats, and horses.
Sam, Veterinary Nurses

Sam is a native Floridian, having been born and raised in North Florida. Her love for animals developed during childhood. Sam's ambition to have a career in the veterinary field came true in Nov 2009 when she joined our team. One of her passions is to help foster animals for the SPCA until they find their forever homes. Sam's plan is to start at Sante Fe College this spring, after which she plans on attending St. Petersburg College to pursue her A.A degree to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Sam is married and has a daughter and son. She also shares her life with 6 cats, 5 dogs, 3 ducks, and one fish named Dorrie. In her spare time Sam enjoys fishing, bowling, swimming, horse back riding and hanging out with her family and friends.
Tabitha, Veterinary Nurses
Kelly, Receptionist

Kelly joined Lake Area Animal Hospital in 2004, after years of receptionist experience in the human medical field. Her love of animals influenced Kelly to pursue a career where she could work with both animals and people, utilizing her knowledge and training as a medical receptionist. Kelly is now the head receptionist for our Melrose clinic, where she enjoys her daily interaction with both clients and pets. Kelly has lived in the Keystone Heights area for 8 years with her husband, two children and a multitude of pets. Her family includes Casey, a red heeler, Georgia the lab mix, Baxter the orange tabby cat, Lizzy the lizard. In her time off, Kelly enjoys outdoor activities such as riding with her husband on his motorcycle and taking the ATV's out trail riding with the whole family.
Tracy, Receptionist

Tracy is a native Floridian, having been born and raised in Central Florida. Her love of animals developed during childhood, when she grew up raising them to show at the county fair. Tracy's ambition to have a career working with animals came true in May 2005, when she began working as a kennel assistant at an animal hospital. From that position Tracy soon worked her way up to veterinary assistant/receptionist. She moved to this area of Florida in June 2009 to be with family and continue her schooling. Tracy lives with her older brother we share are lives with a Red Austrailian Heeler and three cats named Shutter Bug, Munchkin and Precious. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys horseback riding, four-wheeling, paintball, scrapbooking and just hanging out with family and friends.
Christy, Receptionist
Sarah, Gooming Staff
Carol, Groomer
Hawthorne Bowl A Thon 2011

Oh my, watch out there is kitties on the loose!! Meow (Jen and Darlene)
Hawthorne Bowl A Thon 2011

Looks like double trouble! (Darlene & Marissa)
Hawthorne Bowl A Thon 2011
Hawthorne Bowl A Thon 2011

Check out the leopard and the cat!!! Rrrraaaaarrrr, Meeeooow! (Courtney & Darlene)
Hawthorne Bowl A Thon 2011

Tracy wasn't brave enough to have her whole face painted so, she showed her support with running paw prints!
Staff Appreciation Dinner 2011
Hawthorne Christmas Parade 2011

"Woof Woof"

Samantha, Claudia (Samantha's Daughter), Tracy, Courtney, Marissa (Darlene's Daughter)
North American Vet Conference 2012

Kobe's Steakhouse Sponsored by Webster!
Reggie, Darlene, Kelly, Dr. Blackburn, Candy & Tracy
North American Vet Conference 2012

Reggie, Tracy and Darlene