Meet Our Team
24/7 Emergency Care • Experienced Veterinary Team • Advanced Diagnostics • Compassionate Medicine
Expertise you can trust. Compassion you can feel.
At Family Pet Medical Center, exceptional care begins with an exceptional team.
Our veterinarians, technicians, and client care professionals work together around the clock to deliver advanced medical care with compassion and precision. As a 24/7 emergency and urgent care hospital serving Fort Lauderdale and South Florida, we understand that when a pet needs urgent medical attention, expertise and communication matter just as much as compassion.
Our doctors combine years of training, clinical experience, and dedication to patient care to provide thoughtful, high-quality medicine for every case that walks through our doors.
Together, we care for every patient as if they were our own.
Dr. Dayne Ferrera
Dr. Dayne Ferrera leads the medical team at Family Pet Medical Center as Medical Director, bringing a compassionate and community-focused approach to veterinary medicine.
Originally from Cuba and raised in Miami, Dr. Ferrera discovered her passion for veterinary medicine early in life. She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida, where she also obtained a certificate in Veterinary Business Management.
Dr. Ferrera’s clinical interests include emergency and critical care as well as abdominal surgery, and she is dedicated to providing thoughtful, thorough care for both pets and their families.
Outside the hospital, Dr. Ferrera enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughter, along with their three dogs — Dory, Troy, and Sunny. She also helps her parents manage their farm, which is home to sheep, goats, donkeys, mini cows, and chickens.
Associate Veterinarians
Dr. Evgeny Alexeev
Dr. Evgeny Alexeev brings more than 40 years of veterinary experience to Family Pet Medical Center, offering a depth of knowledge and clinical insight developed over decades of caring for animals.
He earned his veterinary degree with high honors from the Moscow Veterinary Academy and has spent his career helping animals and the families who love them.
Dr. Alexeev has special interests in preventive medicine, dermatology, and parasitology, believing that proactive, attentive care can prevent many medical issues before they begin.
Known for his calm demeanor and thoughtful approach, he works to ensure both pets and their owners feel supported and comfortable during every visit.
Dr. Ana F. Hurtado
Dr. Ana Hurtado earned her veterinary degree from La Salle University in Bogotá, Colombia, driven by a lifelong passion for both medicine and animals.
Her clinical interests focus on internal medicine, particularly endocrinology and gastrointestinal diseases, and she enjoys working through complex medical cases to improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Hurtado is known for her compassionate and detail-oriented approach to patient care, emphasizing strong diagnostic reasoning and effective pain management as essential components of veterinary medicine.
She strives to ensure that every pet owner leaves an appointment feeling informed, supported, and confident in their pet’s care plan.
At home, Dr. Hurtado shares her life with three cats — Katie, Elvis, and Pickles — each with their own unique personality.
Outside the hospital, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending her son’s soccer games, traveling, reading, and watching movies.
Dr. Maria Kogarova
Dr. Maria Kogarova earned her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical rotations at the University of Tennessee.
Her passion for veterinary medicine began early, and she knew by the age of four that caring for animals was the career she wanted to pursue.
Dr. Kogarova has strong interests in internal medicine, surgery, large animal medicine, and wildlife medicine. She is especially passionate about helping animals find relief from pain, stress, and discomfort during emergency situations.
She places a strong emphasis on client education, ensuring pet owners fully understand their pet’s medical situation so they can feel confident making decisions about care.
At home, she shares her life with Theodore, a sport golden retriever who often accompanies her to work, and Ziggy, a talkative domestic short hair she adopted while studying in St. Kitts.
Dr. Gabriela Valdespino
Dr. Gabriela Valdespino earned her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, completing her clinical year at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. From an early age, Dr. Valdespino knew she wanted to work with animals. Her lifelong love for them ultimately led her to a career where she could provide care when animals need it most.
Dr. Valdespino has a strong interest in emergency medicine and also enjoys equine medicine, bringing a well-rounded perspective to patient care. She approaches every case with compassion, attentiveness, and a focus on doing what is best for each individual patient.
What sets Dr. Valdespino apart is her deep empathy for both animals and their owners. She understands that veterinary visits — especially emergencies — can be stressful, and she works hard to ensure pet parents feel supported, informed, and confident in the care their pets receive.
For Dr. Valdespino, one of the most meaningful parts of veterinary medicine is helping animals feel better and knowing she can make a real difference in their comfort and quality of life. She believes that listening carefully, communicating clearly, and showing compassion during emotional situations are essential parts of providing excellent care.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Valdespino enjoys traveling, going to the gym, exploring new coffee shops, and spending time watching or playing sports like football. While she doesn’t currently have pets of her own, she has always loved animals and hopes to one day have horses.
For Dr. Valdespino, being a veterinarian means dedicating her skills and compassion to improving the lives and well-being of animals every day.
Hospital Leadership
Stephanie Burke
Stephanie Burke serves as the Hospital Director at Family Pet Medical Center and plays a key role in shaping the supportive and collaborative culture that defines the hospital.
With more than a decade of experience in veterinary medicine, Stephanie brings strong leadership, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to patient care.
She is passionate about building a team environment where veterinary professionals can thrive while delivering exceptional care to patients and their families.
Outside the hospital, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her Pomeranians Bruno and Remi, and her chocolate lab Cassie.
At Family Pet Medical Center, our team is here to support you and your pet through every stage of care — from urgent medical concerns to complex diagnoses and treatment plans. We are proud to offer:
- 24/7 Emergency & Urgent Care
- Free First Emergency Exam for New Patients
- Complimentary Second Opinions for Surgery or Major Diagnoses
If your pet needs medical attention or if you would like another perspective on a diagnosis or treatment plan, our experienced veterinary team is here to help. Call us anytime 954-567-2500 or schedule an appointment online.
VIP Exam Program
For $199/year, emergency exam visits and future exam fees are covered—helping you focus on your pet’s care, not unexpected costs.