Gainesville Florida Veterinarians

Dr. Dale Kaplan-Stein, a 1981 graduate of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, has been at the forefront of progress in companion animal practice. She established Oaks Veterinary Hospital in 1982, and Northwood Oaks in 1995. Innovation and attention to detail highlight her practice management, with client communication a major priority.

Dr. Kaplan-Stein was presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the University of Florida in 2009, in recognition of extensive service to the community and the UF veterinary school. Her service focus is the St. Francis House Pet Care Clinic, which provides primary veterinary care and spay/neuter surgery to the pets of the underserved residents of the Gainesville community.

Dale and her husband Robert have 2 daughters. Sara is currently a veterinary student at UF, and will graduate in 2011 with joint degrees in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Public Health (MA). Gracie is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a student athlete in crew. She currently lives and works in New York. The Kaplan-Stein family enjoys their many dogs, cats and horses.

Dr. Karen Hamerslag has practiced veterinary medicine for over 30 years and has worked at Oaks for over 20 years. She is a 1976 graduate of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed an internship. Dr. Hamerslag's husband is a senior director at a pharmaceutical firm. Her daughter Elizabeth Shryock received a BA from New York University, a Masters in International Relations from Johns Hopkins (SAIS), and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a legal consultant at the Department of Homeland Security in D.C, and is marrying Evan Thaler in October, 2011. Her son Daniel completed a B.A. at Grinnell College in Iowa (where he won multiple championships in springboard diving) and a research Master's Degree in Natural Resource Management. Daniel is doing environmental work out west, and is engaged to be married to Katie Rian in 2012. A Corgi named Sophie and two rescue cats named Hannah and Gracie complete her family. Dr. Hamerslag is an avid reader, aspiring writer, enjoys walking (not running) and home improvement projects. Her special professional interests are General Medicine and Surgery.

A 2005 UF College of Veterinary Medicine graduate, Dr. Dean joined the Oaks family in 2008, after practicing in Ocala for several years. Some remember Jenn from her previous year as a receptionist with us. Her special professional interests include dentistry, oncology, internal medicine and dermatology.

Jenn's family include her boyfriend Nick, a computer programmer, 5 dogs, 5 cats, and 2 leopard tortoises. She especially enjoys agility training and competing her dogs, as well as reading and baking.

Dr. Jennifer Wallace has practiced at Oaks and Northwood since she graduated from UF College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, with a special interest in internal medicine.

Jennifer's husband Cesar Vargas, a canine officer with Alachua PD, shares her devotion to their two dogs and five cats. Her hobbies include boating, fishing, and hiking, and they are both wonderfully creative cooks.

Dr. Kelly Berisha graduated in 2008 from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, where she excelled both in and out of the classroom. She began her veterinary career here in Gainesville at Banfield, the Pet Hospital, achieving extensive experience and providing superb veterinary care. Dr. Berisha especially enjoys veterinary medicine, dermatology and clinical pathology.

Kelly and her husband Mark live here in Gainesville, where as an entrepreneur he owns and operates Magnum Wood. Their household also includes several feline friends - Nellie, Rodney and Amber. In their free time, they love to travel, hike and attend Gator football games. Kelly also is a runner, gardener, and gourmet cook, and an active member of her church community at Queen of Peace Catholic Community.