Our Veterinarians
- Richard Wigelsworth
DVM - Dr. Wigelsworth was Born in Georgia and worked as a veterinary technician during his undergraduate years at the University of Central Florida.
- He has won numerous AKC titles with showing, breeding and field training Standard poodles. He left Florida to further his education for animal medicine, and graduated from University of Georgia in 1996. After practicing veterinary medicine for 12 years, he decided to move from Deltona to Melbourne in January of 2008.
Dr.Wigelsworth enjoys educating clients about their pets preventative needs as well as making sure their concerns are addressed. In his spare time, Dr. Wigelsworth likes to work on his boat and tend to his pampered frenchie Carmen, fish, spend time with his family and friends, or relax outdoors.
Beth Ferris
DVM
Dr. Ferris wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a young child growing up in Massachusetts. Her journey took her to Barry University in Miami for undergraduate school, because New England winters are not her jam, then on a side quest with the US Marine Corps Reserves to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm, then to Gainesville, Florida for veterinary school. She graduated from the University of Florida in 1997, fulfilling her dream. But the adventure was just beginning. She moved to Brevard county, got married the next weekend, went on her honeymoon, then moved to Hollywood, Florida for a 14 month long internship at Hollywood Animal Hospital. There she was introduced to acupuncture and chiropractic care for animals by one of the associate vets, and learned rabbit medicine from another. She fell in love and adopted her first rabbit, Otis, and his mate, Squirrel, soon after.
Dr. Ferris returned to Brevard county in 1998 and has been practicing here ever since. She taught at the Veterinary Technology program at Eastern Florida State for 10 years while still working full time. She graduated from Options for Animals basic chiropractic course in 2006, and graduated from the Chi Institute's basic acupuncture course in 2010 and the Tui Na course in 2013. Incorporating these techniques into her practice has helped many patients over the years.
Dr. Ferris favorite things in vet med:
Rabbits! Medicine and surgery.
Dentistry! For dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Education, not judgement! Knowledge is power.
Nutrition! Diet & supplements are the building blocks of health.
Integrative medicine! Taking a holistic approach to find the best mix of traditional and alternative medicine for each individual patient.
In her off time, Dr. Ferris enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, attending Renaissance fairs in costume with her family, and a passion bordering on obsession for adult figure skating and Theater on Ice. She shares her home with a husband, one kiddo, three cats, and two rabbits!
DVM
Dr. Ferris wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a young child growing up in Massachusetts. Her journey took her to Barry University in Miami for undergraduate school, because New England winters are not her jam, then on a side quest with the US Marine Corps Reserves to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm, then to Gainesville, Florida for veterinary school. She graduated from the University of Florida in 1997, fulfilling her dream. But the adventure was just beginning. She moved to Brevard county, got married the next weekend, went on her honeymoon, then moved to Hollywood, Florida for a 14 month long internship at Hollywood Animal Hospital. There she was introduced to acupuncture and chiropractic care for animals by one of the associate vets, and learned rabbit medicine from another. She fell in love and adopted her first rabbit, Otis, and his mate, Squirrel, soon after.
Dr. Ferris returned to Brevard county in 1998 and has been practicing here ever since. She taught at the Veterinary Technology program at Eastern Florida State for 10 years while still working full time. She graduated from Options for Animals basic chiropractic course in 2006, and graduated from the Chi Institute's basic acupuncture course in 2010 and the Tui Na course in 2013. Incorporating these techniques into her practice has helped many patients over the years.
Dr. Ferris favorite things in vet med:
Rabbits! Medicine and surgery.
Dentistry! For dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Education, not judgement! Knowledge is power.
Nutrition! Diet & supplements are the building blocks of health.
Integrative medicine! Taking a holistic approach to find the best mix of traditional and alternative medicine for each individual patient.
In her off time, Dr. Ferris enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, attending Renaissance fairs in costume with her family, and a passion bordering on obsession for adult figure skating and Theater on Ice. She shares her home with a husband, one kiddo, three cats, and two rabbits!
Our Team
Tiffany
Office Manager / Veterinary Technician
Tiffany was born in the panhandle of Florida before moving around the world as a child of a military family.
She has been back in the lovely sunshine state since 2014 and later that year started her career as a kennel technician.
In 2017 she started working as a Veterinary Technician and joined the South Patrick family in February of 2020.
In her free time, Tiffany likes to craft, take her German Shepherd Astra on adventures around town or just watching tv cuddling with her pets.
Melissa
Lead Veterinary Receptionist
Melissa was born and raised in Northern New York near the Canadian boarder. She moved in 2017 to escape the -32° cold winters. Melissa has been working in animal care since her move and really enjoys it. She joined us at South Patrick Animal Hospital in April 2023.
Melissa has 3 rescue dogs as well as 2 cats! In her free time she enjoys going for motorcycle rides, going to the beach, fishing and spending time with her family.
Lead Veterinary Receptionist
Melissa was born and raised in Northern New York near the Canadian boarder. She moved in 2017 to escape the -32° cold winters. Melissa has been working in animal care since her move and really enjoys it. She joined us at South Patrick Animal Hospital in April 2023.
Melissa has 3 rescue dogs as well as 2 cats! In her free time she enjoys going for motorcycle rides, going to the beach, fishing and spending time with her family.
Sylvana
Veterinary Receptionist
Sylvana was born and raised in Arizona before she decided to make a change in weather and atmosphere and moved here to Florida in 2024. The best part of her move is a shoreline surrounding the state, providing endless options and opportunities to go to the beach.
Sylvana started her career working with animals in 2021 where she learned she knew she found her passion. In May of 2024 she joined our team at South Patrick Animal Hospital and has been dedicated to each patient's care since day one. Sylvana is an avid lover and mom to three cats, who she absolutely loves shopping for and spoiling!
Lacey
Veterinary Receptionist
Lacey was born in New York, until she decided to move down to Melbourne, Florida! Lacey has always wanted to be in Veterinary Medicine, pursuing her passion at a young age and now has over 23 years of experience!
She has been working in the field since she was 16 years old and started off doing kennel work. She became a Veterinary Technician shortly after and hasn't slowed down. She has experience working in emergency medicine, general practice and even small mammals!
When Lacey isn't working, she most enjoys spending her time at home watching movies w/ her significant other. She also loves to work with exotics and unusual pets!
Veterinary Receptionist
Lacey was born in New York, until she decided to move down to Melbourne, Florida! Lacey has always wanted to be in Veterinary Medicine, pursuing her passion at a young age and now has over 23 years of experience!
She has been working in the field since she was 16 years old and started off doing kennel work. She became a Veterinary Technician shortly after and hasn't slowed down. She has experience working in emergency medicine, general practice and even small mammals!
When Lacey isn't working, she most enjoys spending her time at home watching movies w/ her significant other. She also loves to work with exotics and unusual pets!
Amber
Client Relation Representative
Bio to come
Client Relation Representative
Bio to come
Emily
Lead Veterinary Technician
Emily was born in Mississippi but raised in Georgia, she was given the opportunity to live in Dubai during her early teen years before she moved to Brevard in 2017.
Shortly after graduating high school, she started working with animals at a local boarding facility where she learned a lot about animal behavior and handling. In 2021 she branched up in animal care and started working as a veterinary technician.
She joined us at South Patrick in September of 2022. She's still undecided on what she’d like to do long term but has been able to narrow it down to fulfilling her CVT or going to nursing school.
In her free time she enjoys taking her dogs on adventures or hikes, or just spending time with her friends.
Lead Veterinary Technician
Emily was born in Mississippi but raised in Georgia, she was given the opportunity to live in Dubai during her early teen years before she moved to Brevard in 2017.
Shortly after graduating high school, she started working with animals at a local boarding facility where she learned a lot about animal behavior and handling. In 2021 she branched up in animal care and started working as a veterinary technician.
She joined us at South Patrick in September of 2022. She's still undecided on what she’d like to do long term but has been able to narrow it down to fulfilling her CVT or going to nursing school.
In her free time she enjoys taking her dogs on adventures or hikes, or just spending time with her friends.
Lanie
Veterinary Technician / Public Relation Representative
Lanie is from a small town in upstate New York where she was born and raised. Wanting a change of scenery, she decided the New York lifestyle and cold winters weren't for her! She jumped on the opportunity and moved to Florida in 2021. She has always wanted to work with animals and in 2022 started her journey into animal care and well being.
Lanie joined our South Patrick Boarding team in April of 2023. She moved up as a Veterinary Technician in September of 2023! As a big lover of animals, Lanie has 2 dogs and 1 cat. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing video games, and watching tv while cuddling her pets.
Veterinary Technician / Public Relation Representative
Lanie is from a small town in upstate New York where she was born and raised. Wanting a change of scenery, she decided the New York lifestyle and cold winters weren't for her! She jumped on the opportunity and moved to Florida in 2021. She has always wanted to work with animals and in 2022 started her journey into animal care and well being.
Lanie joined our South Patrick Boarding team in April of 2023. She moved up as a Veterinary Technician in September of 2023! As a big lover of animals, Lanie has 2 dogs and 1 cat. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing video games, and watching tv while cuddling her pets.
Finesse
Veterinary Technician
Finesse joined the South Patrick Animal Hospital team in June 2024. Finesse has had a passion and love for animals since her childhood, with her very first pet being a rabbit named Pooh and her first dog being a Neapolitan Mastiff named Shadow.
She also loves reptiles and hopes to get a chameleon someday! Finesse has been working in animal medicine for four years. She started off working at a boarding facility and she became very fond of chihuahuas with underbites.
Finesse has dreams of starting an animal-related boarding service business further down the road. Finesse has one very spoiled princess Patterdale Terrier named Pepper Ann. When she's not caring for your pets, she enjoys spending time with family and close friends, running trails, being a member of a book club, collecting rare vinyl records, traveling, and much more!
She enjoys visiting her grandfather's home island, in Andros, Bahamas, and would like to pay a visit to eastern Asian countries someday.
Jo
Lead Veterinary Technician
Hello, my name is Jolynda (but I go by Jo). I grew up in the city of lights and flowers within a small state known as Alaska. I have three wonderful children with my husband of many years.
I started working in veterinary medicine in 2016 as a kennel technician and worked up through reception, assisting, to technician status. Currently, I am in my junior year of college for a Bachelor of Science with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine focus. I plan on continuing my education until I become a doctor.
My favorite animals are okapi and stingrays. I absolutely love to give a voice to those who are unable to speak. My life motto is that knowledge knows no bounds when your spirit is as free as the ocean. I look forward to meeting all your wonderful pets! Quyanaq!
Rebecca
Lead Kennel Technician
Rebecca was born and raised in Brevard County. She has always had a deep passion for animals and she believes that working here enables her to develop lasting bonds with both animals and their owners. She started her career with South Patrick Animal Hospital in 2005 and hasn't left since!
When she's not working, Rebecca likes to spend her free time with family and friends. One of the things she's passionate about is spreading awareness on Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a disease her mother was diagnosed with in 2019. Rebecca enjoys bonding with boarding patients as well as her own cats she has at home!
Lead Kennel Technician
Rebecca was born and raised in Brevard County. She has always had a deep passion for animals and she believes that working here enables her to develop lasting bonds with both animals and their owners. She started her career with South Patrick Animal Hospital in 2005 and hasn't left since!
When she's not working, Rebecca likes to spend her free time with family and friends. One of the things she's passionate about is spreading awareness on Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a disease her mother was diagnosed with in 2019. Rebecca enjoys bonding with boarding patients as well as her own cats she has at home!
Elizabeth
Kennel Technician
Elizabeth was born and raised in Georgia before she moved to Florida in 2020. Her first job working with animals was at Petland! There she found out that her passion was more towards helping animals and decided to change paths after the move.
She joined our team at South Patrick in May of 2020. Elizabeth enjoys taking care of her rabbit Earl Grey Lemongrab and Gunther, as well as her cat Jupiter, who actually has an interesting relationship with Gunther. When she has the time, Elizabeth loves to go camping wherever she can find.
Kennel Technician
Elizabeth was born and raised in Georgia before she moved to Florida in 2020. Her first job working with animals was at Petland! There she found out that her passion was more towards helping animals and decided to change paths after the move.
She joined our team at South Patrick in May of 2020. Elizabeth enjoys taking care of her rabbit Earl Grey Lemongrab and Gunther, as well as her cat Jupiter, who actually has an interesting relationship with Gunther. When she has the time, Elizabeth loves to go camping wherever she can find.
Saraa
Kennel Technician
Saraa was born and raised here in the sunshine state! Prior to working in Veterinary Medicine, she had many years of experience in food service management. She decided to make the change and came to us in May of 2024! What made Saraa want to make the change in her career starts from her childhood, where she has always been surrounded by different types of animals and has always been involved with their care!
Her experience of caring for her senior soul dog, Keylow, who is 15 1/2 years old, is what made her take the leap into the field! She has had more hands on work from day to day by caring for him, which is what really peaked her interest in learning more about this profession and growing within the field. She enjoys learning all of the breeds and interacting with their owners to be able to provide the best care they deserve!
Outside of work, Saraa likes to spend time with her family and their newest addition "Lula Girl", their 2 year old rescue dog and their other pup, Lucky, who is 14 1/2! She also enjoys the beach, 4-wheeling and fishing!
Kennel Technician
Saraa was born and raised here in the sunshine state! Prior to working in Veterinary Medicine, she had many years of experience in food service management. She decided to make the change and came to us in May of 2024! What made Saraa want to make the change in her career starts from her childhood, where she has always been surrounded by different types of animals and has always been involved with their care!
Her experience of caring for her senior soul dog, Keylow, who is 15 1/2 years old, is what made her take the leap into the field! She has had more hands on work from day to day by caring for him, which is what really peaked her interest in learning more about this profession and growing within the field. She enjoys learning all of the breeds and interacting with their owners to be able to provide the best care they deserve!
Outside of work, Saraa likes to spend time with her family and their newest addition "Lula Girl", their 2 year old rescue dog and their other pup, Lucky, who is 14 1/2! She also enjoys the beach, 4-wheeling and fishing!
Troy
Groomer
Troy is a professional groomer who trained at the Florida Institute of Animal Arts. He has been grooming since 2006 and joined our facility in 2010. He is very kind and patient with all companion animals no matter if they have separation anxiety, phobias, or fears. He makes sure all his clients are satisfied when they leave; with a new hairstyle, clean coats, and wagging tails.
Troy has a dog and a cat that he shares his beachside house with, they like to kick back and enjoy the ocean breeze whenever they can take advantage of it. You can catch Troy in a lawn chair beneath a palm tree enjoying Florida's sunshine.
Groomer
Troy is a professional groomer who trained at the Florida Institute of Animal Arts. He has been grooming since 2006 and joined our facility in 2010. He is very kind and patient with all companion animals no matter if they have separation anxiety, phobias, or fears. He makes sure all his clients are satisfied when they leave; with a new hairstyle, clean coats, and wagging tails.
Troy has a dog and a cat that he shares his beachside house with, they like to kick back and enjoy the ocean breeze whenever they can take advantage of it. You can catch Troy in a lawn chair beneath a palm tree enjoying Florida's sunshine.
