Meet the Team at Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic
At Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic, our team combines advanced training with genuine compassion for the pets and people we serve. Every visit is supported by experienced veterinarians, skilled technicians, and a caring client service team who work together to provide personalized care for dogs and cats in Nokomis, North Venice, Venice, and the greater Sarasota County area.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR PET’S CARE
Below, you can get to know the people behind your pet’s care. These are the real faces, stories, and qualifications that shape the experience at Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic.
Our Veterinarians in Nokomis, FL
Our veterinarians bring decades of combined experience in small animal medicine and surgery, along with a shared commitment to education, communication, and kind, thorough care.
Dr. Ilene Serentill
Owner/ Veterinarian
Dr. Daniel Trovillion
Veterinarian
Dr. Keith Gerber
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Stager
Veterinarian
Dr. Monica McMahon
Veterinarian
Our Veterinary Support Team
Our support staff keeps the clinic running smoothly and helps make each visit as stress-free as possible for you and your pet. From skilled technicians to friendly front-desk team members, every person you meet is here to help.
Benjamin
Veterinary Technician
Brandy
Receptionist
Candice
Veterinary Technician
Darlene
Veterinary Technician
Amy
Receptionist
Sophia
Veterinary Technician
Erica
Veterinary Technician
Kathren
Receptionist
Kayla
Veterinary Technician
Ray
Certified Veterinary Technician
Barbara
Hospital Manager
SJ
Veterinary Assistant
In Memory of Dr. Donald Swerida
Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic was founded on the vision and dedication of Dr. Donald “Dr. Don” Swerida. His legacy lives on in the way we practice medicine, support our clients, and care for every animal that walks through our doors. We are honored to carry that legacy forward.
Dr. Donald Swerida
Veterinarian / Founder
Dedicated Veterinary Care
From preventative wellness and vaccinations to surgery, diagnostics, urgent care, and end-of-life support, the team at Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic is committed to providing thoughtful, high-quality veterinary care for every stage of your pet’s life.
If you’re looking for a veterinary team in Nokomis, FL that values expertise, kindness, and clear communication, we’d be honored to care for your pet.
Call or text Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic to schedule an appointment and meet our team in person.
Dr. Donald Swerida
Veterinarian / Founder
Rest In Peace, Dr. Don
Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Born: New Jersey
Pets: Dr. Nestle and Dr. Bean, several tortoises, numerous fish, and an “in-house” aviary consisting of African Greys, Cockatoos, Cockatiels, and Macaws, etc.
Dr. Don grew up in New Jersey, where he attended Wall High School. After graduation, he served 4 years in the United States Navy as a hospital operating room technician. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. After graduating from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989, Dr. Don relocated to Sarasota, Florida. He worked as a veterinarian in private practice until 1995, when he started Dr. Don’s Mobile Vet Service. In 2014, Dr. Don expanded his business as the Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic in Nokomis, Florida.
Dr. Don has over twenty years of experience in medicine and surgery of companion, exotic, and wild animals. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, and the American Association of Fish Veterinarians.
Along with his experienced staff at the Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic, he cares for pets and wildlife throughout Sarasota County, administering care (and hugs and doggie kisses) to his patients. Dr. Don volunteers for the Animal Rescue Coalition, the Feral Cat spay and neuter program, and provides his skills and services to the Wildlife Rescue Center of Venice. He has appeared locally on MySuncoast (Channel 7), Animal Outtakes (also on Channel 7) in their “Pet of the Week” segment, and is a noted authority in a number of publications. In his spare time, Dr. Don enjoys “hot sauces”, fishing, gardening, woodworking, and scuba diving.
SJ
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Ray
Certified Veterinary Technician
Bio Coming Soon
Barbara
Hospital Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Kayla
Veterinary Technician
Bio Coming Soon
Kathren
Receptionist
Bio Coming Soon
Erica
Veterinary Technician
Bio Coming Soon
Sophia
Veterinary Technician
Sophia started at Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic in 2022. She has been in the veterinary field since 2004. Her favorite parts of veterinary medicine are client education and building strong client connections. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with her family or perusing the beaches for shark teeth.
Amy
Receptionist
Bio Coming Soon!
Darlene
Veterinary Technician
Bio Coming Soon!
Candice
Veterinary Technician
Candice has been a part of the Laurel Road team since 2018. She graduated from St. Petersburg College and obtained her CVT accreditation in 2009. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Brandy
Receptionist
Bio Coming Soon
Benjamin
Veterinary Technician
Bio Coming Soon
Dr. Monica McMahon
Veterinarian
Dr. Monica McMahon earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota and has twenty-three years of experience in small animal medicine. She is Fear Free certified, allowing her to provide compassionate, low-stress care for her patients.
Dr. McMahon’s path into veterinary medicine was inspired by her beloved dog, Licorice, a schnoodle whose medical challenges sparked her passion for helping pets and the people who love them. She believes that getting to know pet owners helps her provide better care for their pets.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She also shares her home with her dog Reggie, an Australian Cattle Dog/German Shepherd mix, and her cat Hemingway.
Dr. Emily Stager
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Stager was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Prior to veterinary school, she received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences with a minor in Biology from the University of Kentucky. (Go Cats!) She went to veterinary school at the University of Tennessee and graduated in 2022. After graduation, she packed up her fiancé and two pets and moved down to Florida. Prior to graduating, Dr. Stager completed a 4-week externship at Laurel Road and immediately knew this was the practice for her! When she is not at work, you can find her reading a book or at the beach.
Dr. Keith Gerber
Veterinarian
Dr. Keith Gerber earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida and has six years of experience in small animal medicine. He has additional training in dentistry, ultrasound, and advanced soft tissue surgical procedures.
Dr. Gerber was drawn to veterinary medicine by his interest in physical sciences and animals, and values the balance of problem-solving and hands-on care the profession offers. He believes in a thoughtful, balanced approach to care that supports long-term wellness for pets, clients, and veterinary teams alike.
Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, relaxing at home with his cat, Henry, and occasionally picking up a crochet project.
Dr. Daniel Trovillion
Veterinarian
Dr. Daniel Trovillion (Dr. T) grew up in the scenic hills of Southern Illinois, observing and assisting in his father’s rural veterinary practice. There, he learned his love for nature, for animals, and for helping those who cared for them. He attended veterinary school at University of Illinois in Champaign (3rd-generation Illini!) graduating in 1986. From there, he settled into practice in Paducah, KY (just across the Ohio River from his hometown), where he spent the next 33 years caring for the fur babies at Paducah Veterinary Clinic. In July of 2019, he and his wife, Susan (along with their two cats, Lucky and Frosty, and dog Bubba), moved to Florida to be nearer to family. Though sorry to leave his lifelong home, he is truly enjoying making new friends (both two and four-legged) and loving working with the wonderful team at Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic, looking forward to making a new home here.
Dr. Ilene Serentill
Owner/ Veterinarian
Dr. Ilene Serentill was born in New York, but moved to Port Charlotte when she was very young. Upon graduation from Port Charlotte High School, she attended the University of Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She was then accepted into the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated in 1999. Dr. Serentill completed a one-year internship, rotating through small animal medicine and surgery at Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa, Florida. She was in private practice in Boca Raton until 2006, then returned to Port Charlotte, where she practiced until joining our team in 2017.