Dr. Darien Lawrence, BSc, BVSc, MS, CCRT Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Darien Lawrence received her degree in veterinary medicine from Massey University in New Zealand. After 2 years in mixed animal practice, she completed a 1-year internship at the University of Guelph in Canada and a 3-year small animal surgery residency at the University of Florida. During this time she also completed a Master of Science degree in Comparative Pathology. She is certified and trained by Slocum enterprises to perform the TPLO procedure, and is a PennHIP certified veterinarian.

Since completing her surgery training, Dr. Lawrence has been a faculty surgeon at both the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, and at the University of Sydney, School of Veterinary Medicine, (in Australia). She was in a private surgical referral practice in Sydney for 3 years prior to returning to Florida to establish her surgery practice here in Brevard County in 1999.

Dr. Lawrence has been a board-certified veterinary specialist since 1993. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the Brevard County Veterinary Medical Association, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, of which she was a Board Member from 2006 to 2009. Dr. Lawrence received her CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist) in 2010 after a year of intensive study and internships.

In her spare time Dr. Lawrence enjoys traveling, a variety of outdoor activities, and keeping fit. Since arriving back in Florida, she has accumulated an assortment of cats, “Saki Wasabi”, “Rio”, “Sushi”, “Kiwi”, “Jaffa” and “Lexus”, most of whom were rescued and repaired prior to going home with Dr. Lawrence. The cats have an aquarium and 38 tropical fish to keep them company.

Dr. Tammi Ruddle, DVM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Tammi Ruddle received her degree in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. She completed her internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey and fulfilled her surgery residency at Mission MedVet in Kansas. Dr. Ruddle is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Dr. Ruddle is owned by “Rudy” and “Cheddar”. “Rudy” is her faithful four-legged mixed breed companion. “Cheddar” is an orange long haired tabby that has allowed Dr. Ruddle to be part of his life and care for his every need.

Back to Top

Dr. Tom Smith, DVM, MS Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Dr. Thomas Smith was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1966, but grew up as a “military brat” on various Naval Air stations and amphibious bases (Miramar in San Diego, NAS Pensacola – home of the Blue Angels, NAB Little Creek). Military history is a special area of interest for Dr. Smith, especially the Civil War and WWII. His background also includes an intense development in the martial arts. He competed and medaled in the Junior Olympics and competed for Iowa State’s Tae Kwon Do national team in multiple NCTA title championships. He currently holds the rank of third dan. Other interests of Dr. Smith’s include woodworking and furniture building. One dream of his is to have a workshop where he can spend his leisure time creating different projects. He enjoys all sports (golf, volleyball, basketball, football), fishing, camping and is an avid poker player.

Dr. Smith returned to Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. After an internship (Oklahoma State 1991-1992) and residency (Kansas State 1992-1996), Dr. Smith became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1996. Dr. Smith has been practicing internal medicine in Brevard county, Florida, since that time and opened Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital with Dr. Darien Lawrence in 2004. Professionally, he has special interests in endocrinology, cardiology and nutrition.

Dr. Chris L. Ludlow, DVM, MS Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Dr. Chris L. Ludlow earned his DVM from Kansas State University in 1986. He spent the next 5 years in a busy general veterinary practice in southern California. He returned to KSU in 1991 to undertake a combined Internal Medicine/Clinical Nutrition residency and Masters program. He earned board certification in Internal Medicine and completed his Masters degree in 1994.

After finishing his residency Dr. Ludlow was a member of the internal medicine department faculty at KSU for 1 ½ years before joining a busy specialty practice in Kansas City. Prior to joining the Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital in 2004, Dr. Ludlow worked for 2 years with the pet food company Royal Canin as a member of the Scientific Communications Team.

Dr. Ludlow lectures frequently both nationally and internationally in the areas of internal medicine and clinical nutrition. Since 1999 he has been a Fellow of the Mark Morris Institute which is dedicated to teaching clinical nutrition in Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in the US and around the world. He has also been involved in teaching for the Veterinary Information Network since 1994.

In his spare time he enjoys bicycles (both building and riding), hiking, camping and good wine.

Dr. Ludlow is available to see cases in all areas of Internal Medicine and has special interests in the areas of gastroenterology and clinic nutrition.

Back to Top

Dr. Blanca I. Colon, DVM

Dr. Blanca I. Colon was born in Puerto Rico, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus.  She then moved to Louisiana where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Louisiana State University.  Being a dedicated student, she was honored by receiving the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Outstanding Student Award, Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Award, Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery Award, Oncology Certificate of Merit, and the Veterinary Pharmacology Award.   Although Dr. Colon enjoys all aspects of Veterinary Medicine, she has special interest in Emergency and Critical Care, Oncology, Soft tissue Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Holistic Medicine. 

Dr. Colon is the “mommy” of four dogs (Canela, Maya, Opalo, Guanina), a cat (Bongo), and an Amazon parrot (Noa).   In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, spending time with her husband and family, reading, going to the beach, traveling, and visiting new restaurants. 

Dr. Christine Jenkins, DVM

Dr. Jenkins graduated from the University of Florida with her DVM degree in 1993. She completed an internship and residency in emergency and critical care in 2001 at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee Wisconsin under the mentorship of Dr. Rebecca Kirby. After her residency she practiced emergency and critical care medicine and managed the emergency department at two Florida specialty and emergency clinics (Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa and West Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists). She has also worked in general practice in Brevard.

Dr. Jenkins joined the ASEH emergency staff in early 2009. Her professional interests include blood banking, wound care, working canines, fluid therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and organized veterinary medicine. Dr. Jenkins is looking forward to working with referring veterinarians and providing services that fulfill their needs. She is currently pursuing accreditation in the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

Dr. Jenkins is a native of Brevard county. In her time off she enjoys spending time with her family.

Back to Top

Dr. Wai-chu Chan, DVM

Dr. Chan received her degree in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama in May of 2008. That same year she began a one year Internship in small animal and medicine at the same University (TUSVM.) Dr. Chan relocated to Florida and spent over a year serving both shelter and community animals at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Central Florida. Dr Chan is interested in Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery and Acupuncture.

Dr. Chan decided to join ASH as an emergency Doctor in late summer of 2011. At ASH she continues to help educate the public in preventative medicine while helping both the owner and pet through their emergency crisis. Dr. Chan has enjoyed meeting all of her new furry patients and their owners.

Dr. Chan lives with two special kitties, "Mussy" (8) and "Cola" (6). In her spare time Dr. Chan enjoys water activities such as water skiing or para-sailing. She also enjoys the variety of attractions that Orlando has to offer.