Independent, locally, female owned and operated!
Dr. Kandice Norrell, BS, BS Vet Med, DVM, CFV
Dr. Norrell (owner/vet) grew up in Central Illinois. She received her first Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois; a second bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine and her DVM from the University of Illinois. After graduation, she practiced emergency and critical care in South Florida. She returned to Illinois in 2009 for a position as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the U of I College of Veterinary Medicine where she developed and implemented their primary care program before opening her own private practice in Urbana, Illinois. She moved back to South Florida in 2018 to begin work on her state-of-the-art CATS ONLY hospital. She has a special interest in feline internal medicine, endocrinology, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), emergency and critical care as well as the One Health Initiative. As a member of the FVMA Cat Friendly Practice Advisory Council, Dr. Norrell has been recognized as a veterinarian who has expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of illness in cats through a thorough medical history and physical examination. Additionally, as a cat specialist, she understands that many behavior problems are a consequence of feline stress or illness. Dr. Norrell is a Certified Cat Friendly Veterinarian through the FVMA.
Dr. Tom Graves, DVM, PhD, DACVIM - Consultant
Dr. Graves is a board-certified internal medicine specialist and serves as a consultant for complex cases at our hospital. He is an internationally recognized clinician, scholar, and educator. Dr. Graves has served as Dean and Professor of Internal Medicine at Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Arizona. Prior to his position in Arizona, he was a professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he met and mentored Dr. Norrell. A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Graves completed a small animal rotating internship at the Ohio State University, a small animal internal medicine residency at Michigan State University, and a PhD in pharmacology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Graves’ scholarly work has focused on basic and clinical endocrinology, and has been funded by the American Animal Hospital Association Foundation, the Feline Winn Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Graves has received numerous teaching awards, including the Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Campus-wide Award for Teaching Excellence at the University of Illinois. He has lectured at universities and conferences throughout North America, South America, Asia, and Europe, and has served on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the Morris Animal Foundation and the Found Animals Foundation.
Jessie - CSR Manager
Jessie’s passion for animals began in childhood, where she helped her mother care for foster and rescue animals and assisted with training Canine Companions dogs. She entered the veterinary field at just 16 years old as a kennel technician and has since gained diverse experience across several areas of animal care, including shelter intake, urgent care veterinary medicine, and client services. She currently serves as a Client Service Representative (CSR) Manager, combining her veterinary knowledge with a strong commitment to supporting both clients and their pets.
Outside of work, Jessie enjoys coaching softball and spending time on the water paddleboarding in the bay.
Ray: Client Services Representative
A Florida native, Ray has had a lifelong passion for felines of all sizes. She met Dr. Norrell in 2019 shortly after GCSP opened, first as a client and later joining the team as a customer service representative. Ray earned her BA in Communications from Hood College in Frederick, MD, before returning to SWFL to stay close to family. She enjoys art in her free time, especially watercolor, as well as playing video games with her spouse and their friends.
Ashlynn - Client Services Representative
Bio coming soon
Kim - Veterinary Technician- Lead
Bio coming soon
Shawna - Veterinary Technician/Practice Manager
Shawna grew up in Northeast Ohio. She knew at a young age that she wanted to work with animals, primarily dogs and cats. She remembers playing with her stuffed animals and her mom's stethoscope when she was 5 years old. She started working at her first veterinary clinic cleaning kennels when she was 14 years old. Over the last 24 years she has worked at 3 different veterinary clinics in multiple states, finally finding her forever home here in North Port with her husband, 2 daughters, 2 cats, 2 dogs and bearded dragon.
When not working, she is spending time with her family. She loves to be outdoors, paddleboarding, hiking, swimming and going to the beach.
Victoria - Certified Veterinary Assistant
Victoria received her CVA (certified veterinary assistant) from Southern Technical College. She has a special place in her heart for cats as an owner and a nurse. She loves ALL cats, but her favorite breed is the Maine Coon.
Victoria has a one-year-old daughter and two dogs as well. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her canine family.