Pebble Creek

Dr. Lassett is a native of Tampa. He attended the University of Florida receiving a bachelors degree in microbiology in 1978 and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1982.

After completing a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey, Dr. Lassett returned to the Tampa Bay area. Dr. Lassett is Board Certified in Canine and Feline Practice and his areas of special interest include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, oncology, diagnostic ultrasound, endoscopy, dermatology and cardiology.

Dr. Lassett has held board positions with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society. He enjoys fishing, boating, and spending time with his dog, Cheyenne, and cat, Dakota.

Dr. Welborn was the valedictorian of his 1976 graduating class from King High School here in Tampa and as a President’s Scholar, he earned an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida. Dr. Welborn graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982. He is Board Certified in Canine and Feline Practice and is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and Certified PennHIP Veterinarian.

He is past president of the prestigious American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and served as Chairman of the AAHA Standards Enhancement Task Force that developed the most recent revisions and enhancements to the AAHA Standards of Accreditation for primary care small animal practices. He also served as Chairman of the Accredited Referral Practice Task Force that developed AAHA Standards of Accreditation for small animal specialty practices. He currently serves in several national veterinary leadership roles including being the Chairman of the AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines Task Force and serving as a member of the AAHA-AVMA Preventative Healthcare Guidelines Task Force.

Dr. Welborn has received the following honors:

• • 2022 AVMA Award
• • Prestigious AVMA President’s Award
• • American Animal Hospital Association Practitioner of the Year Award
• • University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award
• • Florida Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year Award
• • Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society Outstanding Service Award

Underwater photography and attending Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Florida Gator football games are among his favorite activities. Dr. Welborn’s family includes: wife, Laura, daughter, Kaitlin, son, Christopher, furry friends, Jenner and Emma Rose, two birds, Harper and Connie, and a marine aquarium full of aquatic companions.

Dr. Kerrie Lewis is board certified in veterinary anesthesiology and is an expert on respiratory physiology and other areas. She has extensive clinical and teaching experience both with anesthesia and emergency/critical care. Dr. Lewis is a tremendous asset to our team and our patients.

Dr. Lewis attended Massey University and graduated from The Ohio State University.

The safety of your pet during anesthesia, along with effective pain management is Dr. Lewis’s top priority. Her objective is to master the art of veterinary medicine and anesthesia specialization by utilizing her specialized skills in a practical and educational environment.

Dr. Lewis has 2 cats, Ashton and Colton, and 2 dogs, Mr. Cole and Charlee.

Dr. Brandee Baker is one of our wonderful veterinarians here at Pebble Creek Animal Hospital. She is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA).

She attended Colorado State University where she earned her Bachelor of Animal Science. She also earned her DVM at Midwestern University, and has also obtained her Fear-Free Certification and her (CVA) in Acupuncture from Chi University.

Dr. Baker decided to become a veterinarian when she was 8 years old and her family veterinarian let her assist with a pregnancy check on a cow. It was such a neat experience she knew right away that she wanted to be a vet.

She and her husband share their home with their two horses (Patches and Chelee), and their two dogs (Jessi and Milo). Her pets are her best buddies. It brings her joy to cuddle up on the couch with them or spend the day in the barn.

Dr. Baker’s goal when walking into every patient care visit is to educate in a laid-back setting so people have the tools to care for their pets in a way that is best for them. Her philosophy is to always have an open mind.

When Dr. Baker isn’t caring for your sweet pets, you can find her running, working out, horse back riding, scuba diving, or reading.

Dr. Holly Schmalz is on our rock star team of veterinarians here at Pebble Creek Animal Hospital. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science from Aunt Cobleskill. She also attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine where she graduated with honors and completed her clinical year at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

When Dr. Schmalz was in High School her family adopted a bloodhound puppy named Junior. When they took him to their local veterinarian for his puppy visit, they found out that the veterinarian was an avid bloodhound owner who had a special interest in canine search and rescue. This veterinarian took her under his wing and showed her the ropes of search and rescue. After spending many weekends and completing a Search and Rescue seminar in Virginia, she began to shadow in that very same veterinary clinic. She began to shadow in that very same veterinary clinic where she went on to became a Veterinary Assistant and eventually a Veterinary Technician. She found her passion in the veterinary field.

Her large family consists of her father, John (who owns a European sausages/meats business), her mother, Holly (who she shares so many common traits with, including their love for animals), her two older sisters (Sara and Amanda), and her younger brother (Jason) who works alongside their dad.

Dr. Schmalz shares her home with her pets Willa (whom she adopted in veterinary school, and Twinkie (adopted during her first job as a veterinarian in Chicago.)

Her pets mean everything to her. The push her to do better in the field of veterinary medicine. She always thinks to herself for every patient she sees “What if these were my babies?”. She would want the very best care, and the very best medicine for them. That is what she strives for, for every single one of her patients.

Her goal when walking into every visit is to make her patients comfortable and to offer the best personalized treatment plan possible.

The philosophy she lives by is “Our life is what our thoughts make it.”-Marcus Aurelius

When Dr. Schmalz isn’t caring for your pets, you can find her outside exploring new places. She loves swimming, bringing her dogs to the beach, hiking, kayaking, and hitting up the local markets. She’s a big foodie, she loves cooking ad trying the newest and hottest restaurants around town.

Dr. Stephanie Perez is a member of our wonderful team of veterinarians here at Pebble Creek Animal Hospital.

She attended the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras where she earned her BS in Biology
And then Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with clinical year at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated with honors; and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2018.

Dr. Perez became a veterinarian because at a very young age her parents gifted she and her sister a beautiful Corgi puppy to whom she grew very attached to and sparked her interest in animal care and the veterinary field.

She shares her home with her two dogs: Lily, a Shih Tzu, and Camila, aYorkshire-Terrier.

Her pets are a very important members of her family and she would do anything and everything for them.

Her goal when walking into every patient visit is to be able to help each individual patient with their needs while making them fell cared for and loved. She also wants to make our clients feel comfortable and supported.

When Dr. Perez is not caring for her patients, you can find her watching movies or TV shows, spending time with her family and friends, and keeping active with boxing and cross-fit.

Dr. Perez was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She speaks both Spanish and English.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Biology, Pre-Veterinary at University of Central Florida (2019) and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at St. George’s University.

I have always had a passion for science, the medical field, and animals. It has been my dream since I was a little kid to make a difference and save all creatures big and small. Getting to work with animals every day truly fills my heart.

I have an Australian Cattle Dog named Mushroom. My dog means everything to me. He has been my best companion through all of life’s challenges, including my journey through veterinary school. I can only hope to give him half the love he has given me.

My goal is to build strong relationships with my clients and their loved ones while providing the best care possible. I am dedicated to continually educating and advocating for pet welfare, and I strive to grow every day to enhance the care I provide. Every day is an opportunity to be a great day!

When I am not at the hospital, I like to hike with my dog, scuba dive, and cook! I love spending time outdoors and visiting farmer’s markets!

Dr. Colby Burns, a board-certified surgeon at North Tampa Veterinary Specialists, provides specialized orthopedic, soft tissue, neurologic and emergency surgical services to small animal veterinary practitioners. This service allows our veterinarians the ability to offer advanced surgical services in the comfort of our own hospital while maintaining direct contact with our clients and primary care for patients. Mobile surgical services are available six days a week (Monday through Saturday). Emergency surgical services are available seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.