AVS is home to a highly skilled team of veterinary professionals including licensed veterinary technicians, experienced support staff, and Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) who bring strong clinical foundations to every case.
Within our team, a number of our veterinarians have pursued an additional four to five years of advanced specialty training by completing internships, research fellowships, and a formal residency program in their chosen discipline. These individuals have also passed the rigorous board examination administered by the American College of Veterinary Medicine, earning them Diplomate status and the designation of board-certified specialist.
It’s this combination of a dedicated general veterinary team and fellowship-trained, board-certified specialists that allows AVS to deliver a truly comprehensive level of care to the most complex cases in the region.
Primary care veterinarians will typically refer a patient to a specialist if an animal has a complex, rare, or acute condition that requires advanced diagnostic equipment, life-saving intensive care, or a highly technical surgery.
After early acceptance into veterinary medical school at the age of 19, Dr. Aragon earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. While at veterinary school, he co-founded the first Student Association of Veterinary Surgeons and was elected Vice-President of his veterinary class. Thereafter, he completed a rotating internship, a surgery internship, a clinical instructorship and then a three-year surgery residency in Columbus, Ohio. His love for surgery and clinic ownership contributed to the genesis of Allied Veterinary Specialists.
Locations: Daytona Beach & Jacksonville
Dr. Mackenzie received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida. Thereafter, he completed a rotating internship, a surgery internship and then a three-year surgery residency in Columbus, Ohio. Once in practice, his love for surgery and clinic ownership evolved into what we today call Allied Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Mackenzie continues to be very active in the local veterinary community and works closely with regional humane societies and rescue groups to help give back to the community.
Locations: Daytona Beach & Jacksonville
Dr. Kaitlyn Mullen grew up in the Midwest and graduated summa cum laude from Purdue University with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a small animal rotating internship followed by a four-year residency in small animal surgery at the University of Florida. During her residency she completed a master’s thesis and published numerous papers on novel gastrointestinal surgical techniques. She was honored to receive numerous awards for her publications, be chosen as the resident of the year twice, and be recognized by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians as one of two residents in the country who have achieved a high degree of excellence in their chosen specialty. While she enjoys all surgery, her primary interests include gastrointestinal and cardiothoracic surgery, and surgical oncology.
Location: Daytona Beach
Dr. Watt received both her bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. After earning her veterinary degree, she completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, followed by a surgical residency at Texas A&M University. Dr. Watt is passionate about providing evidence-based surgical care and enjoys working closely with pet owners and referring veterinarians to achieve the best possible outcomes for her patients. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two dressage horses and her dog, Lucy.
Location: Jacksonville
Dr. Sikina attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI, where she obtained a Bachelor of Sciences degree and double majored in Biopsychology and Anthozoology. She then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State Veterinary School and a Masters of Public Health from the College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, MI. After earning a veterinary degree, Dr. Sikina completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Wisconsin, followed by an emergency and critical care residency at Michigan State University and MedVet Chicago.
Locations: Daytona Beach & Jacksonville
Dr. Douglas Margarucci earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He began his career in emergency medicine at NC State before completing an Internal Medicine specialty internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists and a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine through MedVet and Mississippi State University. Dr. Margarucci has a passion for all aspects of small animal internal medicine and enjoys working through complex cases to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes. His clinical interests are supported by his involvement in veterinary research, including presenting research at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum. With a background spanning emergency medicine, specialty training, and internal medicine, Dr. Margarucci is committed to providing thoughtful, comprehensive care while working closely with pet owners and referring veterinarians.
Locations: Jacksonville
Dr. Robert “Bobby” Rushing Jr. grew up in Live Oak, Florida and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 2008. He completed a small animal rotating internship at Texas A&M University, followed by a specialty internship and residency in neurology at the Center for Veterinary Specialty Care in Texas. Dr. Rushing became board-certified in veterinary neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in 2014 and earned his Certified Veterinary Neurosurgery Certificate in 2016. After practicing veterinary neurology in Milwaukee, Dr. Rushing returned to Florida in 2017, where he continued providing advanced neurologic and neurosurgical care to pets and their families. He has a special interest in complex neurologic cases and is passionate about helping patients achieve the best quality of life possible. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Rushing enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, fishing, yardwork, cooking, and playing board games with his family.
Locations: Jacksonville
Dr. Bone earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University and later completed her Master of Business Administration at the University of Florida. Following veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship and has spent her career in clinical practice, veterinary leadership, and professional development. Through roles spanning general practice, emergency medicine, industry, and organizational leadership, she developed a passion for helping veterinary teams thrive while delivering exceptional patient care. This commitment to supporting both people and pets ultimately led her to Allied Veterinary Specialists, where she serves in a dual clinical and leadership role focused on strengthening teams, culture, and patient outcomes.
Locations: Daytona Beach & Jacksonville
Dr. O’Connor received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. In 2020, she completed a small animal emergency-focused internship at Arizona Veterinary and Critical Care Center (AVECCC). Since then, she has worked exclusively as an emergency veterinarian in emergency and critical care specialty facilities. Dr. O’Connor understands the stress of bringing a pet into the emergency room and has a passion for providing quality patient care that meets the needs of both the pet and the owner.
Location: Jacksonville
Dr. Pamela S. Vega Pérez was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus before obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, Dr. Vega Pérez completed a rotating internship at VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado, where she trained alongside specialists in surgery, neurology, internal medicine, and emergency. She then pursued additional surgery training through specialty internships at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center and Carolina Veterinary Specialists. Following her internship training, Dr. Vega Pérez found her professional home in emergency medicine, where she enjoys stabilizing critically ill patients, performing emergency procedures, and helping pets and their families navigate medical emergencies.
Location: Jacksonville
Dr. Jackie Clark graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Growing up on a farm in rural Georgia, she developed a love for animals at an early age and began her veterinary career as a certified veterinary technician in Denver, Colorado. During that time, she volunteered with the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska, assisting the veterinary team and working with the racing dogs.After beginning her career in large animal medicine in Charleston, Dr. Clark moved to Florida and discovered her passion for small animal emergency and critical care. For more than 15 years, she has provided compassionate care to pets and their families, she is passionate about building relationships with clients and referring veterinarians while providing high-quality, compassionate care.
Location: Daytona Beach
