Our Team

Robin Dearden, DVM – Chief Veterinarian

Education: University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Dearden graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She has been with Midway Animal Hospital since shortly after her graduation, she has developed a devoted following of clientele and special interests in internal medicine and ultrasonography. Even before vet school Dr. Dearden worked as a veterinary technician and has always been drawn to veterinary medicine. She is married and has a son. She shares her heart and home with several big dogs.

John Peterlin, DVM – Associate Veterinarian

Education: Auburn University

Dr. Peterlin has been an important part of Midway’s evolution, he is well known and respected by our pets, clients and our team members for his dedication and thorough knowledge. His patience is something that stands out to everyone.

Dr. Peterlin is a United States Navy Veteran and enjoys spending time in the Florida Keys, sailing his boat, and nature walks with his beautiful wife.

Brittany – Management Team

Brittany is our financial manager and jack of all trades. She is no stranger to the Gulf Coast, after growing up in Steinhatchee.  Brittany and her husband have 3 young children who they love spending time with. She has a sweet Labrador named Penny and a cat named Apple.   Some of her hobbies are boating and reading but her favorite of all is family time.

Stacie – Hospital Management and Lead Technician

Stacie has been a devoted Midway girl since 2002.  She is our go to gal for all things wild, whether they have fur, feathers, scales or armor.  Her leadership to our team is above and beyond. If there is help needed, Stacie is always there jumping into whatever situation she’s needed and is a natural teacher.

She enjoys ranch life with her horses, goats, Dogs, cats and chickens. Stacie is very creative and enjoys travel, equestrian sports, RV ing, boating, fishing, biking, nature and spending time with family and friends. With a special interest in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, Stacie works closely with wildlife rescue groups.

She plays a very big role behind the scenes and we are appreciative of the hard work and dedication she puts in.

Danielle – Hospital Management and Inventory Manager

Danielle joined the Midway team in 1994. She has grown along with the practice and joined our management team in 2017. She is a talented veterinary technician and continually helps provide guidance and support to our veterinary technician team. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to work with animals. Her passion has always been senior pet rescue.

Before she came to the animal world, Danielle was a Firefighter. She has carried over much of first responder values, and makes working under pressure look easy.  She really enjoys spending time outside of work with her wonderful husband and their two beautiful children. Danielle’s hobbies are camping and bike riding.

Amie – Client Services

Amie joined the Midway team in April 2012. You can find her as you walk in our doors, working reception. She is always smiling and making our guests feel welcome. She really enjoys working with everyone because: “We all take pride in what we do and the staff treats you like family.” She enjoys animals and all wildlife. Seeing our clients leave happy knowing their pet has been well taken care of makes her happy! She has an adorable daughter. She loves boating and being near the beach, whether it be fishing, snorkeling, or soaking up the sun, this girl always gives 100% and believes in living life to the fullest every day!

Cindy – Client Services

Cindy is a long time member of Midway’s team. Cindy loves sea turtles and all things Disney. She has lots of experience in the Veterinary field, a special interest in ultrasonography, an awesome sense of humor. Cindy is always making us laugh around the hospital and is a true Gem who always shares her joyful and grateful sentiments . Cindy has a sweet, little, teeny, tiny, itty bitty Chihuahua named Minnie that we all love to take turns holding.

Karen – Client Services

Karen was born and raised in Odessa Florida. Dogs and Sea Turtles make her happiest but she loves all animals. She has four 4 dogs and a lizard of her own.  A Veterinary Assistant program has prepared her for many of the situations encountered in her role here at Midway. Karen’s kindness and patience is Exemplary.  She feels fortunate to spend a lot of time with her family especially getting out on the river, fishing and exploring the outdoors.  Karen believes that animal rescue is a virtuous feat, she has a great respect for so many of our clients who share her passion and are a voice for those who don’t have one.

Doreen – Lead Laboratory and Technician Trainer

Doreen is our lab guru.  She started her career in Washington State at only 18 years of age. She has worked in Georgia, California, and Hawaii, she blessed us by joining our team back in 2002.   Doreen has a several very important roles here at Midway, making sure our lab runs efficiently and accurately and training aspiring technicians to name a few. She has three grown children, and three grandchildren. She enjoys going camping, boating, cornhole and bowling. We can count on Doreen to always have some clever riddle or joke to keep us entertained.

Cheryl – Technician

Cheryl joined the Midway team as a technician in 2014. She has become a reassuring, familiar presence to many of our long time patients. Cheryl moved to Florida from Delaware with her husband to enjoy our beautiful outdoor weather and activities. Cheryl says; “I’m one of those lucky people who get to do what they love every day; working with animals and the people who love them- there’s nothing better.”

Debbie – Surgery Technician

Debbie was drawn to the field of Veterinary Medicine because of her passion for helping animals and the people who love them. You will find Debbie working in our surgical suite beside our Veterinarians. She utilizes her skills in advanced dentistry, general surgery, radiology and assisting in surgery. Debbie’s great knowledge and dedication is a huge asset to our surgical team. She has a son who also follows her passion for animals.

Jen  L – Veterinary Technician

Jen is a life time animal lover, right out of high school she got her foot in the door with a Veterinarian, started working with animals and never looked back. Jen has pursued much schooling in animal science and has worked in Emergency medicine, mixed animal practice, exotics, as well as eastern and western animal medicine. Jen knows lots of tricks of the trade and is amazing with even the crabbiest of crabby cats.  Jen has lots of interests, she is a gamer and likes drawing, painting, and outdoor activities like hiking and swimming. Jen may look like a youngster, but this granny actually has 3 grand babies.

 Taylor – Veterinary Technician C.V.T.

Taylor graduated with her certifications in Veterinary Technology in 2021. Special interests for this girl are surgery and dentistry. Taylor loves to learn new things and challenge herself to reach new levels in her education. I guess you could say Taylor is a cat person. (at least her 6 cats think so) She also has a big dog named Maria, a turtle and a fish. Taylor is happily engaged to be married and looks forward to their movie nights and game nights with friends.

 Jen A – Veterinary Technician

Jen became a Veterinary Technician in 2005 and is still in love with her decision. Jen has a 4 year old cat of her own who is appropriately named Sassafras. She and Roger have been happily together for 21 years and have 2 wonderful daughters. Jen likes riding dirt bikes and basically anything that goes fast.

Shaina – Technician

Shaina is 5 years in to her career as a veterinary technician. Her favorite thing about her job is seeing the results of good medicine.  Shaina takes pride in her work and treats each patient in her care as if they were her own. She is a Florida native and has been happily married for 17 years with two children. She and her family love all things nature and animal related,  they share their home with a dog, three cats, a bearded dragon and a big coop full of chickens.

Shania- Veterinary Technician

Shania is currently working hard on her Veterinary Technicians License. Her special interests are surgery, dentistry and anesthesia. Shania grew up in a military family having the opportunity to live in many different places from Colorado to South Korea. She is engaged to be married and is a brand new mom to a beautiful healthy son. Shania is a talented vocalist and loves to sing.  Her personal pet is a German Shephard but her love for all animals is so inclusive, she says she could never choose a favorite species.

Sam- Veterinary Technician

Sam started in the Veterinary field in 2019 and has found her calling.  Sam has a passion for Surgery and Emergency medicine. Her unstoppable and positive nature has us smiling and laughing around the hospital whenever she is around. Sam has a deep love for her 6 year old little girl and is also a lover of big dogs (Especially Bully Breeds).  Sam’s hobbies include video games, hiking, fishing and “dancin like a fool”.

Emily- Veterinary Assistant

Emily has a history of working with animals in a training and caregivers role and is now loving being immersed in the world of vet med. This Florida country gal loves fishing, hiking and adventuring with her dogs in tow. She has dogs, cats and goats that mean the world to her. Emily is one of those people with a natural talent for understanding K-9 behavior and would like to pursue a role in competitive protection sports training.

Abby – Veterinary Technician

Abby brightens our days with her whit and southern charm. Abby loves working with animals and they love her right back. Abby is Florida girl and avid outdoors woman, she knows her way around a fishing boat and loves the water. Abby’s dogs follow her everywhere weather its out on a woodsy trail or a day out exploring our local water ways.

Courtney- Veterinary Technician

Courtney is 2019 a graduate of the Veterinary Nursing Program at St. Petersburg College with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology.   A few of her favorite breeds are the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Boxer. She also has a love of exotic species and learning about them.   Courtney is a nature lover and has a goal of one day making the rounds to visit all of our National Parks and loves to watch documentaries on the parks.  Courtney says she feels very fortunate to be a part of the Midway Family but, we know WE are the fortunate ones to have such a bright and dedicated professional on our team.