Jessica McAlpin, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Jessica McAlpin knew that veterinary medicine was her calling as a small child. After graduating in 2005 with a major in Animal Science and a dual minor in Zoology and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, she obtained a Master's degree in Public Health and Epidemiology. In May of 2011, Dr. McAlpin graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at The University of Florida, with a special veterinary interest in Clinical Pathology and Wildlife Medicine.
Before her PrimeVet adventures began, Dr. McAlpin worked for several Animal Hospitals in the Jacksonville area, as a relief Veterinarian. In addition to working at Switzerland Animal Hospital, Pet Doctors of America, Dunn Avenue Animal Hospital and Clay County Humane Society, her most recent work was with Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services. It was at JACPS that Dr. McAlpin found a new love of shelter medicine.
In her free time Dr. McAlpin enjoys practicing yoga, surfing in Nosara Costa Rica, photography and teaching Latin dance. Her most favorite hobby however is watching The Florida Gators basketball and football game! Gooooooo Gators!!!
Her husband, Dr. Ryan McAlpin (also a UF Alumni) is an established dentist in Orange Park. They share a baby girl, Lilya, who will be 2 years old in December 2014, and a baby boy, Tegan Merrick, who was born in May of 2015. Their home is completed by 2 kitties and 2 dogs, MiKayla Ann, Mia Maria, Sada Lane and Madek. Both Dr. McAlpins are proud to serve Orange Park and surrounding Jacksonville.
Education:
University of Florida, 2011; Masters in Public Health & Epidemiology
Interests:
Clinical Pathology/Cytology Examination & Wildlife and Exotic Medicine
Michelle Eden
Office Manager
Michelle joined our PrimeVET family in April of 2015 as our office manager. She has been in the veterinary field since 2007. She started as a kennel technician and worked her way up, giving her experience in many of the different parts of the hospital. Her favorite part of the job is being able to work in each department, helping out where needed. When Michelle isn’t working, she is spending time with her husband, son, 4 fluffy dogs (2 Chows, Lhasa mix & Maltipoo) and 2 cats. Her passion is finding homeless animals their forever home, and loving on our sweet clinic dog, Jack.
Melissa Williams & Amy Duckworth
Front Desk Receptionists
Melissa and Amy are our smiling receptionists you will see when you enter our hospital.
Amy joined our team in October of 2015. She has been in the small animal field for over 17 years. Amy and her spunky cat Lou have helped so many of our feathered friends through wildlife rehab. She enjoys her time off outdoors with her daughter Katie and is an avid music fan who loves going to concerts.
Melissa worked in substance abuse for over 20 years and was ready for a change. She has a huge heart and knew she still wanted to help somewhere somehow and that’s when she decided to become part of our PrimeVET family. She is newer to the field but is so wonderful with our clients and patients. Melissa is a master in the kitchen and keeps the staff well fed. Although she loves to care for others, her favorite part of her day is going home to her husband and 2 Basset Hounds Bentley and Mercedes, and occasionally helping with fostering dogs.
Ashley Ayers
Ashley is an Orange Park native. She has been a veterinary technician since 2006 and has been with PrimeVET since the day we opened in 2013. Her favorite part of being a technician is surgery and client education. She has a soft spot for handicapped animals. Her first fur-love was Molly who was diagnosed at a young age with Fibrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and had to have her leg amputated. She now has 2 other fur-babies. Ernie, Siberian Husky who was also rescued young that is a happy, healthy, hyper boy and Ethel Bean, a silly lovable lab mix. Ashley and her significant other Brandon love spending their time outdoors and taking Ernie & Ethel on walks and to dog parks. Ashley also enjoys DIY arts and crafts and has started her own online wreath business.
Jennifer Cole
Veterinary Technician
Jennifer was born and raised in Orange Park. Since she was a little girl she dreamed of working with animals. She started her career as a veterinary technician in 2007 and joined PrimeVET when we opened in 2013. Jennifer, along with Ashley, are our head technicians. Jenn enjoys client communication from vaccines and dental care to proper food recommendation for each patient. Her favorite part of her job is surgical recovery and wildlife rehab. She spends her free time with her two beautiful kids, Alex and Willow and her spunky kitty Zig Zag.
Amy Walters
Veterinary Laboratory Technician
Ever since Amy was 12, she helped raised cattle with her dad, and it was then she knew she wanted to work with animals. She studied at NAVTA, an approved Veterinary Assistant Program at Penn Foster in 2016. Amy is our laboratory technician and does all the behind the scenes work for your pets diagnostic testing. Amy has three rescued fur babies, Pepper and Gheera are her 2 kitties and sweet Lucy, her dog. She loves to spend her time outdoors camping, swimming and paddle boarding with her husband and 2 children.
Erica Haas
Erica is our newest employee. She is a licensed radiograph technician and worked in the human field for a few years but knew her heart was to work with animals. Erica loves being outdoors with her 2 young boys and riding her horse. She has a border collie mix and a super fluffy kitty she adopted from us named Jack.
