Gainesville Florida Veterinarians Oaks Vet Animal Hospital

Dale Kaplan-Stein, DVM

Dr. Dale Kaplan-Stein, a 1981 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has been at the forefront of progress in small animal private practice since she opened Oaks Veterinary Hospital in 1982 and the Northwood Oaks in 1995. Innovation and attention to detail highlight her successful management of both practices. Dale and her husband Robert have two daughters.

Sara is currently a veterinary student here at the University of Florida. She will graduate in 2011 with joint degrees in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Public Health (Masters). Gracie completed her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a student athlete in crew. She is currently living in New York City, where she works as an assistant producer at VH1.

Dr. Kaplan-Stein was named the Alumni of the Year 2009 for the UF Veterinary School, in recognition for her extensive service to the veterinary school and the community. Her current service focus is care of the pets of indigents at the St. Francis House in Gainesville. The Kaplan-Stein family enjoys their many dogs, cats, and horses. Dr. Dale especially enjoys trail riding her horses.

Karen Hamerslag, DVM

Dr. Karen Hamerslag has practiced veterinary medicine for over 30 years and has worked at Oaks for 20 years. She is a 1976 graduate of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine, where she also completed an internship. Dr. Hamerslag's husband is a senior director at a pharmaceutical firm.

Her daughter Elizabeth Shryock received a BA from New York University, a Masters in International Relations from Johns Hopkins (SAIS), and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She is beginning her legal career at the Department of Homeland Security in D.C. Her son Daniel completed a B.A. at Grinnell College in Iowa where he won multiple championships in springboard diving. After a year of environmental work with SCA, he is working toward a research Master's Degree in Natural Resource Management in California.

A Corgi named Sophie, Peke-A-Poo named Max, and two rescue cats named Hannah and Gracie complete her family. Dr. Hamerslag is an avid reader, aspiring writer, and enjoys walking (not running) and home improvement projects. Her special professional interests are General Medicine and Surgery.

Jennifer Wallace, DVM

Dr. Jennifer Wallace is a 2006 graduate of the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Wallace enjoys all aspects of practice and has developed a wide range of experience in medicine and surgery. Jennifer's hobbies include hiking, fishing, traveling, cooking creatively, often bringing wonderful leftovers to work, Dr. Wallace enjoys the company of her two dogs, Sasha and Kaiser, and five cats, Alice, Monte, Osha, Casper, and Josie. Her husband, Cesar Vargas, is a canine officer with the local police, and shares her devotion to animals.

 

Lynda Kruse, DVM

Dr. Lynda Kruse was born in Melbourne, Australia, but has been in the United States for over thirty years. She attended the University of Central Florida for her undergraduate studies and graduated with a degree in Molecular and Microbiology. After working as a veterinary technician for many years, she then attended the University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2005. Dr. Kruse especially enjoys soft tissue surgery. In her free time, Lynda takes pleasure in reading, trivia, and the company of her dog, Shiloh and parrot fish, Mr. Fish.

 

Dr. Jennifer Dean, DVM

We were delighted to welcome back our former receptionist Dr. Jennifer Dean to our practice in 2008. After graduating from the University Of Florida School Of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, Dr. Dean practiced Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in Ocala for 3 years. Her special veterinary interests include Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Dentistry and Oncology. Jenn's family here in Gainesville includes her boyfriend Nick, a computer programmer, 5 dogs, 5 cats and 2 leopard tortoises. She especially enjoys training and competing her dogs in agility trials, and when time allows, reading and making jewelry.