Dr. Brady. Pratt, Dr. Rachel Shaeffer, & Dr. Taylor Burfeindt
Our veterinarians are exceptionally skilled in veterinary medicine and compassionate towards pets and their people. Learn about Lake City Animal Hospital’s veterinarian and practice owner, Dr. Brady Pratt, and our associate veterinarians, Dr. Rachel Shaeffer and Dr. Taylor Burfeindt. When you're ready to meet them in person, give us a call at (386) 755-0236.
Dr. Brady Pratt
Dr. Pratt is a native Floridian who grew up in Crystal River, Florida. After graduating from Crystal River High School in 2003, he attended the University of Florida and graduated with honors in 2007, achieving a B.S. in microbiology and cell science and a minor in chemistry. He then attended Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2011. While in veterinary school, he performed externships at North Florida Animal Hospital and Blue Pearl Veterinary Specialists to gain hands-on experience.
After graduation, Dr. Pratt worked as an associate veterinarian at Bluffs Animal Hospital in Pinellas County, FL. Along with working full-time in general practice, he gained additional experience in emergency vet medicine and critical care by working night shifts at St. Petersburg Emergency Veterinary Clinic.
In 2014, Dr. Pratt decided to make North Florida his permanent home and purchased Lake City Animal Hospital from Drs. Kevin and Tracy Hawthorne.
Dr. Pratt's clinic interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries and internal medicine. When he's not working, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and anything else that involves being outdoors. Dr. Pratt shares his home with his beautiful wife, Brittany, their daughters, Adeline and Maggie, and son Brooks. He also has a Labrador Retriever named Penny and a cat named Applebottom.
Dr. Rachel Shaeffer
Dr. Rachel Shaeffer is a recent graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She also attended the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree in Animal Science and graduated at the top of her class from both programs. During Veterinary school, Dr. Shaeffer was actively involved in shelter and community outreach programs. She performed several externships at small animal hospitals in the North Florida area as well as an externship with the ASPCA to gain surgical experience.
After graduation, Dr. Shaeffer worked as an associate Veterinarian in Ocala, Florida. She has also spent time providing after hour care to patients at Urgent Vet in Gainesville, Florida. Dr. Shaeffer's professional interests include dermatology and internal medicine. She is all Fear Free certified and works hard to ensure that her patients have low-stress and enjoyable veterinary visits.
While she is originally from Tallahassee, Dr. Shaeffer has always been a proud Gator fan. During her time in college, she even performed as the Florida Gator mascot Alberta. Now she spends her free time watching Gator football games, hiking local trails, and learning how to cook and bake new recipes from scratch. She lives in Gainesville with her husband Ryan, a beautiful rescue dog namesd Josie and an orange tabby cat named Evan.
Dr. Shaeffer is very excited to join the Lake City Animal Hospital team. Her primary goal is to deliver personalized care that fits the needs of both her patients and clients.
Dr. Taylor Burfeindt
Dr. Taylor Burfeindt was born and raised in South Florida. From a young age she strived to be involved with all thing's animal related, from volunteering at an equine assisted therapy program to working with her childhood dog on an agility show team or raising orphaned wildlife. Dr. Taylor performed her undergraduate studies at Berry College in Rome, Georgia where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree as an Animal Science Major. While at Berry College she competed on the Intercollegiate Western Horsemanship Team, worked as a student activities planner, and worked on the campus's grounds crew.
In 2018, Dr. Taylor was accepted into the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. During Veterinary school, Dr. Taylor was actively involved with the shelter medicine club and completed the UF Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Certificate. She served as the events coordinator for the UF SCASV club and coordinated the Summer Lovin' Adopt-a-thon for Alachua County Animal Services in 2019. Dr. Taylor performed two spay/neuter externships to gain surgical experience and completed a 2-week externship at Lake City Animal Hospital where she fell in love with the practice.
In her free time, Dr. Taylor enjoys going on adventures with her dog, going to the springs and hanging out with friends. Although Dr. Taylor is originally from South Florida, she has always been interested in moving north and is very excited to join the Lake City Animal Hospital team. Her primary goal is to provide high quality care to both her patients and clients as she continues to learn and improve her skills while starting her career as a small animal veterinarian.