Meet the Veterinary Staff Who Cares for Your Beloved Pets

At Care Animal Hospital of Seminole, our commitment is to provide exceptional veterinary care, treating every patient with the compassion and attention they deserve. We consider each pet and their family an integral part of our extended family, and we strive to foster a warm, welcoming environment for all.

By blending time-honored values with cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and modern medications, our dedicated team of experienced professionals is devoted to ensuring the well-being and comfort of every patient, tailoring treatment plans to meet their unique needs.


We aspire to set a new standard in veterinary medicine, creating a community where pets thrive, and families find solace in the knowledge that their cherished companions are in the best of hands because when it comes to your pets, they’re not just animals; they’re cherished members of the family.

At Care Animal Hospital of Seminole, our commitment is to provide exceptional veterinary care, treating every patient with the compassion and attention they deserve. We consider each pet and their family an integral part of our extended family, and we strive to foster a warm, welcoming environment for all.


By blending time-honored values with cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and modern medications, our dedicated team of experienced professionals is devoted to ensuring the well-being and comfort of every patient, tailoring treatment plans to meet their unique needs.

We aspire to set a new standard in veterinary medicine, creating a community where pets thrive, and families find solace in the knowledge that their cherished companions are in the best of hands because when it comes to your pets, they’re not just animals; they’re cherished members of the family.

Meet the Team

Highly Trained Veterinarians

Nicole Canavan

Dr. Canavan graduated cum laude from St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine after completing her fourth-year clinical rotations at The University of Tennessee. She then completed a one-year rotating internship in medicine, surgery, and emergency care at Nashville Veterinary Specialists in 2013. She practiced at a busy small animal hospital in metro Atlanta for 4 years before relocating to the sunny beaches of St. Petersburg in 2017. After 4 years of full-time general practice here, she started Help Animals Veterinary Relief to better serve her family's needs and the community of St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. Now, she is embarking on a new journey into practice ownership and is excited to provide compassionate, expert veterinary care to all pets in her new home, Care Animal Hospital of Seminole.

Nicole Canavan

Dr. Canavan graduated cum laude from St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine after completing her fourth-year clinical rotations at The University of Tennessee. She then completed a one-year rotating internship in medicine, surgery, and emergency care at Nashville Veterinary Specialists in 2013. She practiced at a busy small animal hospital in metro Atlanta for 4 years before relocating to the sunny beaches of St. Petersburg in 2017. After 4 years of full-time general practice here, she started Help Animals Veterinary Relief to better serve her family's needs and the community of St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. Now, she is embarking on a new journey into practice ownership and is excited to provide compassionate, expert veterinary care to all pets in her new home, Care Animal Hospital of Seminole.

Michelle Newkirk

Dr. Michelle Newkirk was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Ohio State University for both her undergraduate and veterinary medicine degrees. Dr. Newkirk graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Magna Cum Laude in 2006 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Newkirk stayed a few years in Ohio, working in both general practice and emergency medicine. She then grew tired of living in the "snow belt" of northeast Ohio and wanted to find some sunny weather, which led her to move to St. Petersburg in 2012. She continues to practice for both general practice and urgent care medicine, along with working for non-profit organizations. She joined Care Animal Hospital of Seminole in 2022 and loves working so close to the beach! Dr. Newkirk loves educating clients on preventive care and keeping pets healthy for life! She enjoys the beach and bicycling around St. Petersburg in her free time. She travels as much as possible. Her favorite activity is in the fall, watching her Ohio State Buckeyes win football games. O-H-I-O!

Michelle Newkirk

Dr. Michelle Newkirk was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Ohio State University for both her undergraduate and veterinary medicine degrees. Dr. Newkirk graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Magna Cum Laude in 2006 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Newkirk stayed a few years in Ohio, working in both general practice and emergency medicine. She then grew tired of living in the "snow belt" of northeast Ohio and wanted to find some sunny weather, which led her to move to St. Petersburg in 2012. She continues to practice for both general practice and urgent care medicine, along with working for non-profit organizations. She joined Care Animal Hospital of Seminole in 2022 and loves working so close to the beach! Dr. Newkirk loves educating clients on preventive care and keeping pets healthy for life! She enjoys the beach and bicycling around St. Petersburg in her free time. She travels as much as possible. Her favorite activity is in the fall, watching her Ohio State Buckeyes win football games. O-H-I-O!

Michael Buckner

Dr. Canavan's surgery partner.

Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary Technicians

Stephanie, CVT

Stephanie, CVT

I am a Florida native and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Veterinary Technician Program at Sanford Brown College in 2015. Here at Care Animal Hospital, I am the lead veterinary technician and have worked primarily in the general practice setting, but I also have experience in urgent care hospitals. In my free time, I enjoy doing artwork, doing outdoor adventures, and spending time with my children and the true love of my life, my Chorkie, Sami Bae.
Charlie, Veterinary Technician

Charlie

Charlie moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2018. Charlie has been a veterinary technician since 2011. She's also worked in other parts of the animal world, such as pet sitting, farm work, pet boarding facilities, grooming salons, and dog training. She's grown up with all sorts of animals ranging from large equines to cats and dogs and also all types of reptiles and pocket pets. Her current pack of pets (lovingly called her Funny Farm) includes 7 dogs, 3 cats, 3 guinea pigs, a hedgehog, 2 ferrets, and fish. When not working with us, she is home with her fur kids and husband.

Veterinary Assistant

Jeffrey, Veterinary Assistant

Jeffrey

I was born in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, and spent my childhood moving around the state before settling in Tampa Bay. My family has always had lots of pets, so animals have always been an important part of my life. When I moved to South Georgia for college, I got my first job working with animals as an assistant zookeeper at Wild Adventures Theme Park. I have continued to work with animals in different settings, such as field research and wildlife rehabilitation. Working at Care Animal Hospital of Seminole has allowed me to further my hands-on experience working with animals and learn a lot under Dr. Canavan. Although I love cats and have two of my own, Topenga and Hogarth, birds are my passion. Ask me what my knuckles say!

Office Staff

Office Staff

Laurie, Office Manager

Laurie

Office Manager

I have worked at Care Animal Hospital of Seminole for over 11 years and am the front office manager. I was born in Bath, Ohio, and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a social work degree, making working with clients and their pets a natural profession for me. Over the years, I have had numerous jobs, including owning three of my own businesses. My favorite title is "Gigi" as I have 8 grandchildren so there is never a quiet, dull moment to pick up a book these days, but I wouldn't have it any other way, nor trade it for all the free time in the world. I prioritize getting in 3 or 4 gym workouts a week so that I can keep up with all the energy of the little ones. Since I was a little girl, pets have always been a huge part of my life, and I can't imagine that ever-changing.