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Meet Our Team

Dr. Lynda Thabes

Dr. Thabes is originally from Leeds, Alabama and attended Auburn University for her undergraduate education after which she graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn in 1989. After graduation, she moved to Nashville where she was in small animal practice as well as an emergency clinician at the local emergency hospital. In 1995, she relocated to Tallahassee with her husband, John. In 2008, she opened Bannerman Pet Care with Dr. Jay Summitt (now retired). She has been involved in various veterinary organizations, both local and national and has been an active member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners since 1989.

Outside of work, Dr. Thabes has been actively involved in several local school and community organizations as well as multiple organizations devoted to the advocacy of individuals with special needs and exceptional student education. She attends Good Shepherd Catholic Church and in her spare time enjoys college football (War Eagle!), needlework, reading, music, cooking, Lake Eufaula and the beach. She is proud mom to 4 awesome children and a multitude of pets.

Technicians:

Cheryl Fulton

Cheryl graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1995 with an AS in Veterinary Technology. She has worked with Dr. Thabes since September, 1995. Her hobbies include reading, yoga and going to the beach as often as possible. She is the proud owner of 6 cats and 2 dogs.

Lori Magnuson

Lori is a licensed veterinary technician and has worked at BPC for 5 years. She graduated from Florida State University in 2013 with a BS in Biological Sciences and continued her studies at Southern Regional Technical College for her Associates Degree in Veterinary Technologies. In her spare time, Lori enjoys the company of her 2 dogs, 2 cats, travelling and spending time with friends and family.

Barbie Nelson

Barbie is a Georgia native and began in the field of vet medicine in 1992. She currently has a sweet kitty by the name of Waffles. Barbie thoroughly enjoys all things Halloween and is an avid haunt enthusiast. She also enjoys hiking, travel and music. Bim, bam, boom!

Receptionists:

Erik (with a “k”) Rising:

Erik has been in the veterinary field for 17 years and has been a receptionist with BPC since 2017. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends as well as telling dad jokes despite not being a father. He is also the owner/operator of Early Rising Pet Care.

Jaimie Stuart:

Jaimie has always had a strong connection to animals since she was a young girl. She began her professional career of working with dogs and cats in 2015. When not working, Jaimie enjoys spending her time outside exploring nature and spoiling her cat, Little Nicky.

Diana Kochersperger:

Diana has been working in the veterinary field since her return to Tallahassee in 2008. She is the proud mom of 3 beautiful daughters, a dog by the name of Gizmo and her cat, Mopar.

Groomer:

Ashly Balitz:

Hello, my name is Ashly and I am a professional pet stylist. I went to PetSmart Grooming Academy in 2012 and was a bather 2 years prior. In 2014, my family and I relocated to Tallahassee from upstate New York for a fresh start and I have continued working on my grooming skills since. My husband and I have 2 wonderful boys, one of which is on the autism spectrum. Although I don’t have any dogs of my own at the moment, I do have 3 cats (Olivia, Jarvis, and Firefly). I look forward to meeting all of your pups!

Selena Thabes

Textile Manager:

Selena has been a part of the BPC staff since its inception. She attended Chiles High School and is a graduate of the Eagles Connection program at Tallahassee Community College. Selena is employed at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Physician Partners where she works in the mornings before her afternoon duties at BPC. She enjoys Auburn football, dining out, cooking, giving hugs and spending time with her cat, Camo.

Ben Brown

Office Manager/Bookkeeper:

Ben has been working at BPC since 2012. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In his free time, he enjoys camping with his wife, 2 children and their 2 corgis.