Dr. Elizabeth Baird
Dr. Elizabeth Baird is a second generation Florida native from Dunedin. She studied at the University of South Florida and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Biology and attended Veterinary College at the University of Florida where she graduated with Honors.
A strong advocate of professional enrichment and continuing education, Dr. Baird participates in a variety of seminars and educational clinics each year. She is a member and active participant in the county, state, and national veterinary associations, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, the Veterinary Information Network, the American Veterinary Dental Society and World Vets.
Dr. Baird has accumulated a variety of experiences during her more than 20 years in practice working in various veterinary environments including emergency and critical care practice. Dr. Baird has been certified through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). Less than one hundred veterinarians in the world share this designation, and only forty of them are within the United States. Dr. Baird spent hundreds of hours in post-graduate coursework and studying neurology, anesthesia, physiology, acupuncture, rehabilitation and pharmacology to prepare for her certification in pain management. She has since spent another hundred plus hours focused canine rehabilitation and finished her final exams and her internship in rehabilitation in September of 2014. She has now received her certification as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). Dr. Baird most recently completed her acupuncture training in the Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course associated with CSU and finished her clinical intensive in April of 2015.
Pain management has become a passion for Dr. Baird and she is focused on providing care for animals suffering from acute and chronic pain and those with disabilities following injury or orthopedic surgery. Arthritis pain affects a huge portion of the animal population and she actively seeks ways to minimize the pets discomfort so they may live longer and happier lives with dignity and normal physical function. Steele Pain Management & Rehabilitation Center is the fulfillment of her dream to help animals and their owners by managing pain and discomfort and improving the quality of life for her patients.
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant:
Valerie Curry – Veterinary Assistant
Valerie Curry – Veterinary Assistant
Valerie started working at COAH in 2012. She received her A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology at Northern Virginia Community College in 2007 and her B.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology at St. Petersburg Community College in 2011. Her area of interest is Canine Rehabilitation. She completed her internship and obtained her certification as our rehabilitation assistant in late 2015. Valerie enjoys boating/fishing and attending Bucs and Rays games with her husband. They have two “fur babies” Emma a 7 year old Lab mix and Lady a 12 year old mix breed. Valerie’s favorite dogs are Chihuahuas – she LOVES Chihuahuas. She is also a big Gator Fan and always loves supporting our Tampa teams.
Technicians:
Elizabeth “Libby” Lyttle-Bryant, CVT – Certified Veterinary Technician
Libby has been in the veterinary field since 2009 where she started working as a kennel technician. Though she’s always had a love for all types of animals, she quickly learned that veterinary technology would be her calling. She started calling Country Oaks Animal Hospital her home in 2011 and since then has made many strides in her veterinary career. In 2013, she graduated from St. Petersburg College with her Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology and obtained her veterinary technician certification through the Florida Veterinary Technician Association. She recently completed her Bachelor’s degree with combined focus on both clinical medicine and practice management, and graduated in December of 2015. Over the course of her college career she received the Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Association award in 2013 and 2015 and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. Her passions in the field include behavior, emergency/critical care, integrative medicine, and rehabilitation. She is looking into specializing in emergency/critical care or clinical medicine before obtaining her practice management certificate after taking some time to polish off her clinical skills. Aside from school and work, she enjoys spending time with her Lab Mix, Apollo, playing ball or going to the dog park, or traveling to the Smokey Mountains. She adores hedgehogs, French Bulldogs, and her two year old niece, Harper.
Sara Lynford, CVT – Certified Veterinary Technician
Sara started out in the veterinary field in 2008 when she began the Veterinary Assisting program at Tarpon Springs High School. Sara started working at Country Oaks Animal Hospital in February 2015. She recently graduated with her A.S. degree from the Veterinary Technology program at St. Petersburg College in May of 2015. Sara completed her certification in July 2015, making her our newest CVT. Most people would say that Sara is a big cat lover, especially when it comes to her two girls Minnie and Daisy. Sara named them after a place she calls her second home, Disney.
Assistants:
Val Flinner – Veterinary Assistant
Val is originally from Wooster Ohio. She moved to Florida with her family at age 9. She started in the veterinary field after graduating from Largo high school in 1978. Given her 37 years of experience she is ready to help our clients and provide old and new ways to treat your pets. When she’s not at work you’ll find her fishing, in the garden or watching the football game.