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LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital in Cooper City has been providing exceptional, specialized veterinary care since 1994. LeadER is made up of sixteen doctors of veterinary medicine, including eight board-certified specialists in the areas of cardiology, surgery, oncology, anesthesia, emergency/critical care and internal medicine.

Our staff consists of the most experienced and dedicated veterinary nurses, assistants and client service representatives available. LeadER’s critical care and specialty nurses are second to none in their compassion and dedication.  Our veterinary assistants perform a myriad of duties and assist the nurses and veterinarians with treatments. They, along with the nurses are the caregivers, walking, feeding, talking to, and playing with the hospitalized animals.  LeadER’s friendly client service representatives will walk you through the process of admitting your pet, and will make every effort to answer your questions, while putting your mind at ease.

Our Board Certified Specialists

Our Medical Support Staff

AllEmergency & Critical Care ServicesSurgeryGeneral Practice
Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Kate Spahn, DVM

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Jacklyn Johns, DVM

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Clay Phillips, DVM

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Elizabeth Rosainz, DVM

General Practice

Rachel Groveman, DVM

General Practice

Allison Pollak, DVM

Surgery Resident

Brigita Ziogaite, DVM

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Kate Spahn, DVM

Dr. Spahn was born and raised in Central Florida. Prior to attending veterinary school at the University of Florida, she was a certified veterinary technician for 4 years and then majored in biology at the University of Central Florida. During veterinary school, she developed a strong interest in ophthalmology, as well as critical care cases. She completed a one year small animal medicine and surgery internship in San Antonio, TX, followed by a one year internship at an ophthalmology specialty practice in Miami, FL. Dr. Spahn decided to remain in Florida to pursue a career in emergency and critical care and to stay close to her family and loved ones.

Dr. Spahn is a true adventurer, enjoying all outdoor activities, including scuba diving, kayaking, white water rafting, skydiving, and motocross. From climbing Machu Picchu in Peru to mountain biking the Death Road in Bolivia to up-close encounters with grizzlies in Alaska, she is always up for a challenge both in her personal adventures and professionally. When it is time to relax at home, Dr. Spahn looks forward to coming home to her 8-yr-old black lab, Cordi, to cuddle and play fetch.

Title:ER Service Chief

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Jacklyn Johns, DVM

Dr. Jacklyn Johns was born and raised in South Florida. She worked as a veterinary technician while attending Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Biology. Dr. Johns obtained her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from St. Matthew’s University. Her clinical training was at the University of Pennsylvania. She held various leadership positions in organizations, including the Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association, Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, and American Veterinary Medical Association. Additionally, she obtained the Dean’s Award and Pfizer Small Animal Medicine Senior Excellence Award. Dr. Johns completed an internship at the prestigious Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Since that time, she has been working as an emergency clinician. Her primary interests include emergency medicine, critical care and surgery. When Dr. Johns is not practicing veterinary medicine, she loves spending time with her family and traveling.

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Clay Phillips, DVM

Originally from Georgia, Dr. Phillips attended the University of Georgia for an undergraduate Biology Degree and then on to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He worked in the Atlanta area doing emergency medicine for over 6 years. Dr. Phillips interests include Emergency Medicine, Advanced Imaging ,Blood Transfusion Medicine, and Snake bite cases. He moved to South Florida in 2018 with his wife, daughter 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Emergency & Critical Care Medicine

Elizabeth Rosainz, DVM

Dr. Rosainz obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at Florida International University in May 2005.  Later that year, after her own dog was injured following Hurricane Wilma, she renewed her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian.  She completed course work in biology for two years at FIU and began veterinary school at St. George’s University in Grenada in 2008.  After one year studying in the Caribbean she transferred to Oklahoma State University and received her DVM degree in May 2012.

Dr. Rosainz completed a 13 month internship at Hollywood Animal Hospital in small animal medicine, general practice, surgery and emergency medicine.  Her main areas of interest include small animal medicine, ophthalmology, soft tissue surgery, and emergency medicine.

General Practice

Rachel Groveman, DVM

Dr. Rachel Groveman is 2005 graduate of University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been practicing in Broward county ever since. Born in New York City, her passion for animals started as a young child rescuing stray cats off the city streets and turned into a fulfilling career as a veterinarian. Her special interests include internal medicine, feline medicine, dentistry and dermatology. Dr. Groveman has two cats, Sierra and Mr. Mistoffelees, who run her household. When she is not working, Dr. Groveman enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoying hiking, kayaking and traveling.

General Practice

Allison Pollak, DVM

Surgery Resident

Brigita Ziogaite, DVM

Dr. Ziogaite has been at a private practice since 2013. She was born in Lithuania and moved to the United States at the age of 21 without any knowledge of the English language but not without determination of becoming a veterinarian. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology with Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University in New York. She then continued to pursue her dreams at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at University of Minnesota. She has a cat, Plikis and an umbrella cockatoo named Jerry Boca. Besides her passion caring for pets, Dr. Ziogaite enjoys gardening.

Our Practice Support Staff

Practice Manager, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

Heather

Assistant Practice Manager/Client Liaison

Renee

Front Desk Supervisor

Bobbi

Practice Manager, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

Heather

Heather is a licensed veterinary technician and certified veterinary business leader with over 25 years of experience in the field. Heather passionately believes in our mission to provide the highest quality of patient care in a compassionate environment that provides exceptional client service and education.

Assistant Practice Manager/Client Liaison

Renee

Renee was born and raised in Denver Colorado. She moved to south Florida in 1982 and began a 23 year career in real estate. Renee always had a special love and compassion for animals and always wanted to work in the veterinary field.

In 2007 Renee decided it was finally time to do something she had always loved and took a veterinary assistant course. Upon completing the course she began her career with LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital. Renee spent her first year working in our laboratory department and soon realized with her excellent customer service skills and her love and compassion for animals she wanted to join our client service team as one of our receptionists. In 2013 Renee also began working on our social media Facebook page. In 2016, after over 8 years working with LeadER Renee is now our Assistant Practice Manager/Client Liason and Social Media Manager.

In her spare time there is nothing more Renee would rather be doing than spending time with her family, which includes four, four legged children, Maximus, Sophia, Bunny and Angel.

Front Desk Supervisor

Bobbi

Bobbi is originally from Durban, South Africa. She graduated from the University of Natal, Durban with a Bachelor of Social Science and majors in Industrial Labor Studies and Sociology. Bobbi has travelled the USA and internationally and has enjoyed many multicultural experiences. She loves being a wife and mom to two children, two dogs and four cats. With a passion for animals Bobbi started in the veterinary field here at LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital in 2006. She loves helping clients and ensuring all patients well-being.