Our Staff

passionate about providing quality veterinary care

All professionals at Companion Animal Hospital maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in the medical field. Learn more about our caring staff below.

Beth Paterson, Assistant Manager

Beth Paterson has been with Companion Animal Hospital since October 2020, bringing over 8 years of experience in the animal care field. As the assistant manager, Beth is responsible for managing inventory, supporting her fellow employees, and helping to create a happy and positive work environment. Her favorite part of the job is meeting new clients and building lasting relationships with both them and their furry companions.

Originally from New Jersey, Beth is known for her upbeat personality and her love of baking. She holds an associate's degree in business and works part-time at the hospital. Before joining the team, she worked as a veterinary technician and was actively involved in animal rescue and fostering.

At home, Beth cares for her cat, Bear, and her dog, Caico. She continues to foster kittens and help rescue organizations in her free time. She loves working at Companion Animal Hospital because the staff feels like one big family, always supporting one another.

Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband Drew and daughter, attending church, and running her cookie business, Evermore Sweets.

Cameron Dennis, Veterinary Technician

Cameron Dennis has been a valued member of our team since June 2021, working full-time as a veterinary technician. Her responsibilities include drawing blood, radiology, placing IV catheters, and prepping and monitoring patients. What Cameron enjoys most about her role is the opportunity to interact with clients, offering them guidance and support for their pets' health.

Known for her humor and energy, Cameron brings a lively and positive spirit to the clinic. She is also a student at the University of North Florida (UNF), balancing her studies with her passion for veterinary care. At home, she has a 3-year-old Golden Retriever named Dansby and a 6-month-old cat named Cruz.

Cameron loves working at Companion Animal Hospital because it feels like a family, and she appreciates learning from Dr. Zalud every day. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new walking trails with Dansby, often capturing beautiful photos of her beloved dog.

Ben Respess, Veterinary Assistant

Ben Respess joined our team in July 2023 and brings a unique blend of humor and care to his role. As a veterinary assistant, Ben's primary responsibilities include bathing dogs and keeping everyone around him smiling with his infectious sense of humor. His genuine nature shines through in his dedication to connecting with both customers and coworkers.

Despite being allergic to animals, Ben is passionate about his work and loves being around dogs, especially his own 7-year-old pup, Sumo. What Ben enjoys most about working here is the supportive and friendly environment created by both clients and his amazing coworkers.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys weightlifting and dedicates time to his studies. His positive energy and commitment to both his job and self-improvement make him a valued member of our team.

Lilly Amsden, Veterinary Assistant

Lilly Amsden has been with Companion Animal Hospital since January 2024, bringing with her several years of experience in the animal care field. As a veterinary assistant, she supports technicians and doctors during appointments, surgeries, and lab procedures. Lilly also helps with hospital maintenance, giving baths, and performing nail trims. Her favorite part of the job is patient care, especially assisting doctors in surgeries and during appointments.

Known for her positive attitude and strong work ethic, Lilly is committed to providing excellent care to every pet she encounters. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Florida, with an expected graduation in December 2024.

Lilly enjoys working at Companion Animal Hospital because the private practice environment allows for a close-knit team and more personalized interactions with clients. She also appreciates the opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive and hardworking atmosphere. At home, Lilly has three pets who keep her busy, and in her free time, she loves playing soccer and traveling.

Rosemary Prieto Rodriguez, Veterinary Assistant

Rosemary Prieto Rodriguez has been a full-time Veterinary Assistant at Companion Animal Hospital since May 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Penn State and brings valuable experience in dog sitting and cat sitting. Her job responsibilities include assisting technicians and doctors with patients, running lab tests, helping with surgeries, monitoring during procedures, and caring for boarding pets. Rosemary’s favorite part of her role is assisting with and monitoring during surgeries.

A unique aspect of Rosemary is that she is a fluent Spanish speaker, which allows her to connect with a broader range of clients. At home, she has three pets: Tima, a 2-year-old Beagle, Ranger, a 7-year-old Chihuahua mix, and Michi, a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat. She loves going on walks with her dogs as part of her pet-related hobbies.

Rosemary enjoys working at Companion Animal Hospital because of the welcoming and supportive environment, where her coworkers make her feel like part of the family and always keep her laughing. She also values the hands-on experience she gets, especially when assisting with surgeries. In her free time, Rosemary enjoys doing her own nails, experimenting with fun designs, and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

Riley Warren, Receptionist/Assistant

Riley Warren joined Companion Animal Hospital in January 2023 and has become an essential part of the team. As a receptionist and assistant, she is responsible for answering phones, facilitating communication between doctors and clients, running lab work, assisting with radiology, and providing compassionate customer service. Her favorite aspects of the job are working in radiology, building relationships with patients, and collaborating with her amazing team.

Riley is known for her positive attitude and great sense of humor, which brighten the work environment. At home, she cares for two pets: Sadie, a 2-year-old Chocolate Lab, and Jax, a 2-year-old tuxedo domestic shorthair. She’s also involved in "Dogs Day Out" with Jacksonville Humane, where she helps give dogs a fun day outside the shelter.

Riley loves working at Companion Animal Hospital because it feels like a big family. The team's supportive nature and shared sense of humor create a positive and collaborative atmosphere. In her free time, Riley enjoys riding horses, hiking, fishing, shopping, traveling to new spots, and spending time with family and friends.

Taylor Jackson, Client Care Coordinator

Taylor Jackson has been a part of the Companion Animal Hospital team since September 2020, working part-time as our Client Care Coordinator. With over seven years of experience in the animal care field, Taylor is the friendly voice you hear when scheduling appointments, answering phones, and playing with pets in the kennel. Her favorite part of the job is guiding clients through difficult situations, helping them find positive outcomes for their beloved pets.

Known for her incredible sense of humor, Taylor brings laughter and joy to both her coworkers and clients. At home, she cares for six rescue cats: Bizkit, George, Bean, Charlie, Wazowski, and Tano. She loves working at Companion Animal Hospital because of the wonderful clients and the many animals she gets to meet and care for every day.

In her free time, Taylor enjoys going to rock shows, playing darts, hunting for shark teeth, and traveling to new places.