Cheval

Dr. Dutton was born and raised in Tampa, FL. He earned his Bachelor of Science in zoology from Auburn University in 2010. His education continued at Ross University where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and he completed his clinical and surgical year at the University of Florida. While pursuing his doctorate, Dr. Dutton conducted research on the prevalence of salmonella in leatherback sea turtles. He presented his findings at the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine conference and his research was published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine in 2013. Over the years Dr. Dutton has also spent a great deal of time volunteering at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. While there he assisted in the care of the wild bird population.

Dr. Dutton returned to Tampa and joined Tampa Bay Vets group in 2014. His professional interests include ultrasound, endoscopy, oncology, internal medicine and exotic animal medicine. He possesses certifications in endoscopy from the University of Georgia and Ultrasound from the NAVC institute.

Dr. Dutton’s wife, Holly, is also a veterinarian. Together they have three children (Pierce, Luke, and Adeline). In his spare time Dr. Dutton is an avid outdoorsman, who enjoys fishing, scuba diving, and surfing with his family.

Dr. Riley was born in St.Petersburg and raised in the Clearwater area.  Her first veterinary job was in high school cleaning kennels and working in client services.  While working, she earned an Associate’s degree at St. Petersburg Junior College.  She went on to the University of Florida where she earned dual Bachelors degrees in Microbiology and Cell Science as well as Animal Sciences, and then a Masters of Agriculture in Cell and Molecular Biology with a focus in animal reproduction. She has varied research experience with horses, cows and alligators.

Dr. Riley earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from UF in 2007.  She began working at All Creatures in 2009, and joined the Cheval team in 2020.

Her professional interests include general medicine and surgery, and reproduction. She lives in Hudson with her husband and son her dogs, Loki, Hugo, and Black Jack, her cats, Porkchop and Pecan, and some chickens! She is passionate about her volunteer work with Italian Greyhound Rescue, and outside of work, spends time quilting and boating. Her whole family are Gator sports enthusiasts, but her favorite sport is watching her son play baseball.

Dr. Smith is a wonderful addition to our team of Associate Veterinarians. Growing up in a military family, he moved around a lot. Dr. Will Smith (no relation to actor Will Smith!) has had the pleasure of living in many exciting places including Guam, Italy, Florida, North Carolina, California, Maryland, and Louisiana.  He has had the experience of traveling all over the world. Some destinations include China, Egypt, Israel, Spain, France, and Switzerland, to name a few.

Dr. Smith has joined our team to practice advanced medicine with advanced diagnostics including ultrasound, endoscopy, surgery, and treating exotic pets.  He attended the University of Florida where he earned his BS in Science and Biology, and his DVM.

When Dr. Smith isn’t caring for your pets you can find him traveling, going to the beach, watching movies, playing video games, and jamming out on his ukulele and guitar. He shares his home with his girlfriend Dr. Jenny Moreira and their cat, Ballerina, as well as their dog, Remy.

Fun fact: Dr. Smith’s parents have a farm with dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cows, turkeys, and ducks!

Dr. Rivera is one of the newest members to our awesome team of Veterinarians. She attended St. George’s University College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Florida for her clinical year. She lives here in Tampa, FL with many of her family members in the area as well.

Dr. Rivera shares her home with her 12-year-old Rat Terrier named Tyler – He is her heart dog and means the world to her. She believes that there is such a close bond between people and their pets. The bond with her dog is no different and she would do anything for him.

Dr. Rivera has worked in the Veterinary field for 11+ years – most of which she has gained her experience as a Certified Veterinary Technician before attaining her DVM.

She is especially interested in Dermatology and is a big advocate for mental health in the Veterinary industry.

Always having lots of pets that she has cared for from a very young age, her love for animals has paved the way to her career as a Veterinarian. She loves this career and all of its challenges, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

She acts as an advocate for each and every one of her patients, every single visit. She always wants the best for her furry friends and their pet parents.

Dr. Cristen Nichols earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Lincoln Memorial University. She has had an interest and passion for medicine her whole life, and at an early age she knew she wanted to be able to give a voice to animals in need through her passion for medicine.

Dr. Nichols does her very best to make each client and patient feel as comfortable as possible, knowing that everyone faces different challenges from day to day.

She and her partner share their home with their two dogs (Tutsi and Mia) and their three cats (Piper, Timothy, and Noodle). Tutsi is her “soul dog” who she has had for ten years. She doesn’t have any human kids, so her pets are all her babies.

Dr. Nichols is very interested in conservation, zoo medicine, and non-human primates ,who she would one day love to volunteer as a conservation vet for.

My name is Laura and I’m a certified veterinary technician and have worked with the Tampa Bay Veterinary Hospital group since 2010. I was born and raised in Florida but I love traveling up north when I can.  I love working with animals and wouldn’t change what I do for anything! I have 2 cats of my own and their names are Banksy and Griffin. In my free time I enjoy working out, yoga and going to the beach.

Lyndi’s career in the veterinary field began in 1999 at a small animal practice. She became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2003 after graduating from Tri County Technical College in South Carolina with a Veterinary Technology degree and passing national and state exams. Along with her husband Chad, their home is shared with their two highly active children, Hayden and Peyton, two dogs Kanowa (corgi/shiba inu) and Rousey (boxer), two cats and Hurley a turtle. Lyndi is a sports fanatic, enjoys daily cardio workouts, MMA, any outdoor activities and relaxes by spending time with her family.

Alexis is one of our awesome Veterinary Technicians here at Cheval Animal Hospital. She is originally from Oklahoma.

When Alexis Isn’t working you can find her paddle-boarding.

Alexis shares her home with her 1year old “Rottenweiler”, Bruce Han, and her 8 year old cat, Mr. Kitty.

Alexis is working on becoming a certified Veterinary Technician.