Alexandra Villa, DVM

alexandra-villa-dvm

I remember my very first career day in elementary school; that morning I woke up eager to wear my dad’s laboratory coat because I couldn’t wait to be a scientist! I grew up surrounded by science and math. Well, it was unavoidable, having a calculus professor as a mom and an immunologist as a dad so it’s safe to say that it’s in my blood. Although there was no doubt in my mind that science was in my future, it wasn’t until the 9th grade that I decided on veterinary medicine, as I have always had a special connection with animals. It started with saving lizards and frogs in my younger years and evolved into caring for litters of abandoned newborn kittens in my high school years (shout out to my parents who let me bring stray animals home regularly). I was to be the first veterinarian in my family and my journey officially began when I started my first job as a veterinary assistant at 16 years old.

I moved to Gainesville, FL from Miami to attend the University of Florida and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, specializing in Animal Biology. I had the amazing opportunity to be a double Gator and also graduated with my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. After being a Gator for 8 years, Gainesville became my home.

There is a lot more that I love about Veterinary Medicine than just the science behind it. The bond that people create with their pets, the ability to provide care for such loving creatures in their time of need, and the opportunity to educate people on caring for their furry loved ones are other aspects of this field that I am very passionate about.

When I am not loving and caring for my patients, I am spending time with my husband, my middle-school sweetheart, and our crazy bunch of furry kids. We have 2 dogs, Ducky and Goose, and 2 cats, Kitty-girl and Pumpkin. We love spending most of our time outdoors whether it’s throwing a Frisbee in the backyard, going hiking, or playing corn hole at the local breweries. If there is any opportunity to soak up some sunshine, we are there!

I could not love a place of business any more than I do Jonesville Animal Hospital. Both veterinarians are incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and loving towards the animals. The staff has some of the friendliest people I've met, and their professionalism is top-notch. The facility is large, clean, and modern, and the extended hours are fantastic for working professionals. Thank you for being so great to our dog, Charlie!

-Amy

Dr. Vliet and Dr. Lerman are awesome! When one of my dogs was afraid of going to the vet, they worked with me to make her visits as stress-free as possible. They go out of their way to make every visit great and the facility is clean and inviting. They know me by name when I come to buy dog food and always offer to bring it to the car for me if I have my two young daughters with me.

-Christopher

I have had the privilege of having Dr. Lerman taking care of our animals for over 20 years.  The compassion, knowledge and attention to detail displayed in the variety of situations we have experienced is truly amazing and appreciated. It is so evident that everyone associated with Jonesville Animal Hospital has a true love of providing quality care for animals.

-Bob

The staff at Jonesville Animal Hospital is always exceptional! Our beloved Border Collie, Mysti, was a patient there for 10 years, and we always felt as if they loved her as much as we did. Even after her passing they sent our family the most heart felt, loving message to console us. We think the world of the entire team! Now our new puppy, Boo, will enjoy their loving care too.

-Gina

The Doctors and Staff at Jonesville Animal Hospital are top-notch. They stayed late, performed emergency surgeries after "normal" business hours, and made sure to call and update me of their status even though it was 9PM at night. I feel like they treat each pet as if it were their own, and always have the best interest of the pet in mind.

-Heather

Jonesville Animal Hospital is simply the best! Our dogs have been patients at Jonesville Animal Hospital ever since it was first opened by Dr. Vliet and Dr. Lerman. They have cared for our whippet and our two greyhounds. The expert care, knowledge, and compassion shown to us by Drs. Vliet and Lerman and their entire team is outstanding. It is obvious that they love our dogs. 

-Rita

I have entrusted the care of my three dogs to Drs. Vliet and Lerman for about 10 years and am so pleased with their practice.  I like that I've never had to deal with a waiting room full of animals; they check every patient in quickly and get them into exam rooms to avoid any "doggy personality differences!" Their support staff always make my dogs feel welcomed, non-threatened and their favorite patients of all time! 

-Sherri

The wonderful care provided to our three cats, at Jonesville Animal Hospital, makes me wish that they were my health care providers! Dr. Vliet and Dr. Lerman have given our cats exceptional care at every visit. They've helped us navigate behavior issues and patiently saw us to a resolution. These fine vets have put together an incredible staff, all of whom adore animals! I cannot say enough about JAH, and highly recommend them!

-Shirley

I recently moved to the Gainesville area, and I was thrilled to discover Jonesville Animal Hospital. My 10-year-old Lab suffers from a few health problems and I wanted to find a top-notch local vet for her. Jonesville Animal Hospital has more than exceeded my expectations. This is by far the best service I've ever received from a veterinary hospital.

-Amy