Our Dogtors
Meet Tater! She is a perfect half Belgian Malinois Half Rottweiler girl with a passion for teaching. When She is not catching up on her cardio with her chuck it ball, She can be found studying for the next class with her parents the Almeida’s. Tater is a perfect model
Dr. Daniel Almeida, MV, MS, Dip. ACVAA
Owner
Dr. Daniel Almeida was born and raised in Brazil, where he earned his veterinary degree. After a few years practicing in different capacities, Dr. Almeida decided to pursue specialty training, which led him to the University of Minnesota. There, he completed his residency in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, a Master of Science degree, and became a Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. The University of Minnesota continued to be his home for several years, where he achieved the rank of Associate Professor of Veterinary Anesthesia. His additional training also includes certificates in veterinary forensic sciences and veterinary medical acupuncture. Dr. Almeida has always had great respect for law enforcement, he was selected and attended his city’s police training academy, very briefly joining the department before having the opportunity to complete his veterinary specialty training in the USA. He has worked closely with law enforcement and working dogs in Minnesota, and hopes to continue doing so throughout his career.
Dr. Samantha Almeida DVM, Dip. ACVECC
Owner
Dr. Samantha Almeida is originally from New England, but has traveled all across the country in pursuit of her career in veterinary medicine. She attended Oklahoma State University for undergraduate studies and veterinary school, graduating with her veterinary degree in 2016. She then completed an additional 5 years of postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota in emergency and critical care medicine, becoming a board-certified emergency and critical care specialist in 2021. Since then, she has moved around the country working at hospitals in New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. She first got involved with working dogs during her residency in Minnesota, and has been interested in providing first-aid training for handlers and emergency personnel around the country since.
Rachel - K9 Fr Director
Owner
Rachel was born in Alabama but spent most of her childhood in Florida. The rest of her teenage & adult life has been spent in the beautiful mountains of Western NC. She started working in veterinary offices at the age of 13 filing documents. She went on to general practice when she was 19. Rachel found her love for working dogs, specifically Belgian Malinois, at a young age while working for a training kennel and began training dogs for multiple years in IPO/IGP/Shutzhund. She works in Internal Medicine specialty, which includes a wide array of diseases affecting internal organs such as the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine glands, lungs and bone marrow. Outside of work she enjoys working with her 2 Belgian Malinois for various disciplines including Cadaver SAR.
Tamara - Lab Instructor
Tamara hails from New Orleans, Louisiana but has spent the last 14 years in Western NC after moving here for college. She is married to a first responder and they have 2 dogs, 2 goats and 5 chickens. Her history within the veterinary field began as a student intern laboratory animal technician for LSU Health Sciences Center and she is now is a Registered Veterinary Technician for an emergency and specialty hospital with the Internal Medicine service. Tamara’s interests are infectious diseases, animal nutrition and low stress animal handling.
Brenna - Lab Instructor
Brenna is an RVT from the Brevard area. She started out working in the large animal field when she was young, eventually going to AB-Tech where she completed the Veterinary Technician program at the beginning of the plague(2020). She then completed one year of General Practice, then moved on to Urgent Care/Admissions at an Emergency and Specialty hospital in Asheville NC. She now works in the ER at that same hospital.
“ ER work has been incredibly rewarding for me as I enjoy a challenge and ER definitely keeps me on my toes.”