Our Team
David Hale, DVMDavid R. Hale, D.V.M., is a 1984 graduate of the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. He practiced at Hollywood Animal Hospital prior to moving to Tallahassee. In 1988, he became a co-owner of Cross Creek Animal Clinic with the late Dr. Werner Heimberger. Dr. Hale has been the sole owner of Cross Creek Animal Clinic, Inc. since 1995. Dr. Hale was certified in veterinary acupuncture in 2001 after completing coursework in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine at the Chi Institute. Dr. Hale is a great believer in community service and has provided pro bono veterinary care since the early 1990's to wildlife in rehabilitation at Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Dr. Hale also served on the board at the Tallahassee Museum from 1986-1992 and provided veterinary care for many years, and now serves in an advisory capacity regarding the non-hoof stock species in their collection.
Tom Davis, DVMTom Davis, D.V.M., is a fellow alumnus of the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. After previously owning a private practice in South Florida, he moved to Tallahassee to work as the State of Florida veterinarian. Most recently, he has been working as a relief veterinarian, filling in for various veterinarians around Tallahassee. We are lucky to spend our Fridays with Dr. Davis. In his free time, he makes sure he is staying up-to-date on the latest research in veterinary science.Dr. Davis owns three rescued dogs: a bulldog mix, named Gator, a Red Heeler named Izzy, and a Rat Terrier mix named Edna. He also owns two cats named Thelma and Homer.
Sheila, Office Manager Sheila is a Florida State University graduate with her Bachelor's Degree in Biology. She is passionate about wildlife research and has previous experience working with everything from squirrels to bald eagles at Goose Creek Wildlife. Sheila is a new mom and her baby boy, Bodhi, is a big hit with all of us at Cross Creek. Sheila and Bodhi reside with their pointer, Wade.
Emma, Front Desk Team
Emma has been a longtime team member at the clinic, with experience in everything from working alongside Dr. Hale in the exam room to answering phones at the front desk. She is a lifelong equestrian and rode competitively, placing highly in events across the nation. Her long-term affinity for animals led Emma to adopt her own dog, Yona, who has proven to be her partner in everything from hiking to playing video games. Currently, she is continuing her education at Florida State University, studying History and Creative Writing. We look forward to seeing a few best-sellers from Emma one day, as success is sure to come her way.
Emma has been a longtime team member at the clinic, with experience in everything from working alongside Dr. Hale in the exam room to answering phones at the front desk. She is a lifelong equestrian and rode competitively, placing highly in events across the nation. Her long-term affinity for animals led Emma to adopt her own dog, Yona, who has proven to be her partner in everything from hiking to playing video games. Currently, she is continuing her education at Florida State University, studying History and Creative Writing. We look forward to seeing a few best-sellers from Emma one day, as success is sure to come her way.
Kayla, Veterinary Technician
Kayla came to work at Cross Creek already having an extensive history working with wildlife. She graduated from FSU with her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Geography in 2018 and spent time exploring the world of wildlife rehabilitation at Goose Creek Wildlife Center. Kayla’s passion for working with animals goes beyond her weekdays spent at Cross Creek, but overflows into her life at home and hobbies. Kayla is a self-proclaimed “dog-person”, but we find that hard to believe as she is a cat mom to five kitties: Sherbert, Dallas, Popeye, Peanut, and Possum. She spends her Sundays at the Tallahassee Museum working as an Animal Keeper. If you don’t find her curled up reading a book with her cats or feeding the panthers at the museum, you might find Kayla indulging in everything the great outdoors has to offer.
Robin, Veterinary Technician
Robin, a Texas native and former resident of Oklahoma, became a part of our team in 2018. Her past work at an animal shelter and time spent as an equestrian makes her a natural fit as a veterinary technician here at Cross Creek. Robin has a huge heart for all animals but especially loves her two orange dogs, Manny and Merry Mack. She has continued spending her free time riding and caring for horses. She is a talented writer and is currently studying at Tallahassee Community College with plans to transfer to Florida State University to study communications. Robin hopes to continue her career working to make information about animals accessible for pet owners. Often, the "voice of the back of house," her talent for communication helps our clients feel valued and understood.
Justin, Veterinary Technician
Often accompanying one of the doctors in the exam room, Justin has been a member of our team at Cross Creek for years. Though he shies away from the spotlight, Justin’s kind nature and animal acumen allow him to quickly bond with patients, from the most timid pups to the most fractious kitties, and all of our animal patients in between. He went to Florida State University where he studied Biological Sciences and he aims to create a long-term career working with wildlife or marine biology. He can be found hanging out after hours to help out with animals brought in from Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary for veterinary care. Outside of the clinic, Justin can be found playing sports, biking, fishing, or hanging out with his own cat, Arya.
Cat, Front Desk Team & Animal Care Technician
The self-proclaimed next “Steve Irwin”, Cat is a member of our front desk team. Cat came to Cross Creek after 10 years of volunteering with Goose Creek Wildlife where she has experience wrangling anything from kittens and baby raccoons to hawks and birds of prey of all kinds. She has an education from Florida State’s Biology department and is leaning to a focus in Zoology. She also has a passion for the outdoors and has a huge heart for any and all feline friends. Holding to her namesake, Cat has three kitties of her own - Fat Howie, Tiny, and Pimento. Outside of the clinic, Cat is a talented artist who dabbles in painting, jewelry making, and drawing. Her bountiful energy and nurturing spirit make help Cat connect with our clients and communicate their needs throughout the clinic.
Togi, Animal Care Technician
A long-term staff member of Cross Creek, Togi is a valued part of our Animal Care team. You can often find him opening up the clinic in the morning, ensuring that the early rising boarders are well taken care of and greeted with a friendly face (as well as their morning meal). Togi is known throughout Cross Creek for his hilarious anecdotes and thoughtful wisdom that he is sure to impart to our morning staffers. Togi's altruistic nature helps him form a bond with our patients and he radiates warmth amongst our clients and staff as they arrive each day.
Victoria, Animal Care Technician & Veterinary Technician
Vickie is a newer member of the Cross Creek team but has quickly proven herself to be extremely versatile, both at the clinic and in her everyday life. She comes to us as a former Tallahassee Museum volunteer where she gained experience working alongside their vast collection of wildlife. Victoria got her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Florida State and wants to continue her career working in Conservation Biology. Victoria has a great appreciation not only for the animals, but their habitats and the wilderness as a whole. She plans to conquer the Appalachian Trail in the next year and invests her free time into exploring the outdoors by frequently kayaking or hiking local parks. Victoria’s favorite part of the job is the bond she gets to establish and maintain with our furry patients whether they’re here for a physical exam or boarding for a long weekend. Victoria is a proud cat-mom to three kitties - Mischief, Leopold, and Holly.
Kay-sha, Animal Care Technician
Kay-Sha’s experience began working at Goose Creek Wildlife Center as a volunteer and came to Cross Creek to further her experience in learning about veterinary medicine. She is currently a student at Florida State University studying Biology with aspirations to continue into Veterinary School. Kay-Sha loves working with for baby animals of all kinds and can be found offering cuddles and comforts to our pint-sized patients. Kay-Sha has two cats of her own - Pterodactyl (Dackie) and Kipkoshi. When she gets free time from her studies, she often dives into the fantastical worlds of her favorite novels.
Rian, Animal Care Technician
An experienced, part time kennel tech, Rian is our resident tinkerer. He is an avid reader and cat enthusiast. He has raised many kittens into healthy cats and has a special talent for working with those cats who are not-too-happy! He has returned to the clinic after extensive traveling searching for his life calling. From calf-ranging in the UK Assisted with running a sub-artic research center in northern Canada. Once thawed out, he assisted with restoring habitats to their natural states in the United Kingdom and monitoring the natural fauna and flora.
An experienced, part time kennel tech, Rian is our resident tinkerer. He is an avid reader and cat enthusiast. He has raised many kittens into healthy cats and has a special talent for working with those cats who are not-too-happy! He has returned to the clinic after extensive traveling searching for his life calling. From calf-ranging in the UK Assisted with running a sub-artic research center in northern Canada. Once thawed out, he assisted with restoring habitats to their natural states in the United Kingdom and monitoring the natural fauna and flora.
Darla, Office, Veterinary Technician, CVA
Darla is a Certified Veterinary Assistant and just completed coursework for Veterinary Practice Management. She joined our staff officially after a full career in education with Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She works behind the scenes, researching ways to further utilize and even improve the practice management software used in the clinic, a sometimes onerous task that she cheerfully and reliable dives into. She has volunteered with the clinic for many years working with local rescue groups and animals that others would turn away. Her work experience includes a small veterinary clinic, a multi-doctor veterinary hospital, and an animal emergency hospital. Her animal experience includes marine mammal rescue/rehabilitation, large animal rescue and disaster rescue which includes deployments with the HSUS, ASPCA, ARNO and Best Friends. She currently cares for three dogs (Isaiah, Olivia and a foster, Shayla) and two cats (Bootsie and a clinic cat, Zora).
Darla is a Certified Veterinary Assistant and just completed coursework for Veterinary Practice Management. She joined our staff officially after a full career in education with Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She works behind the scenes, researching ways to further utilize and even improve the practice management software used in the clinic, a sometimes onerous task that she cheerfully and reliable dives into. She has volunteered with the clinic for many years working with local rescue groups and animals that others would turn away. Her work experience includes a small veterinary clinic, a multi-doctor veterinary hospital, and an animal emergency hospital. Her animal experience includes marine mammal rescue/rehabilitation, large animal rescue and disaster rescue which includes deployments with the HSUS, ASPCA, ARNO and Best Friends. She currently cares for three dogs (Isaiah, Olivia and a foster, Shayla) and two cats (Bootsie and a clinic cat, Zora).