Dr. Neville Sookra - Practice Owner
Dr. Sookra received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 1995. He then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to work as an associate Veterinarian. Dr. Sookra spent 3 years in “the Soo” but those long winters finally took their toll so he and his family moved down south to sunny Bradenton, FL in 1998. Dr. Sookra worked for 3 years at Banfield Pet Hospital in Bradenton and several years as an Emergency Veterinarian at the Sarasota Emergency Clinic.
Living in the Lakewood Ranch area Dr. Sookra saw a need for an animal hospital. After much contemplation and prayer he and Mrs. Sookra decided to open their own clinic. In September of 2002 their dream was realized as the Animal Health Clinic opened its doors.
2023 marks Dr. Sookra’s 21st year anniversary for the Animal Health Clinic. Dr. Sookra has a passion for his patients and his clients – he continues to touch lives in the Lakewood Ranch community daily. Over the years he has mentored many students at the clinic who have gone on to become Veterinarians and some who are soon to become Medical Doctors.
Dr. Sookra enjoys all aspects of Small Animal medicine especially Internal Medicine and Surgery.
In his free time outside of work Dr. Sookra is an avid gardener and carpenter. He enjoys spending time with his wife Susan and their 4 children; Saska, Thalia, Stefan & Michael and his 5 grandchildren: Madeleine, Seamus, Alexander, Makayla, & Issac.
Dr. Sookra resides in Bradenton with his wife Susan. They have 2 cats at home – a calico Maine Coon mix named Sheridan which he rescued 18 years ago , Felix a tuxedo cat and Girlzin, a husky, Pittbull, lab mix. He also has his own flock of Muscovy & Pekin ducks and an affinity for the numerous wild birds that visit his yard daily.~~
Dr. Thalia Bozeman - Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Bozeman then moved to Alabama in 2008 where she attended Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. While pursuing her studies she served as the Vice President of the Veterinary Business Management Association at Tuskegee for 2 years. She also became a student member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and Omega Tau Sigma Veterinary Fraternity. Dr. Bozeman graduated Cum Laude from Tuskegee with her DVM in 2012.
Dr. Bozeman returned to the Animal Health Clinic in February of 2013 as our Associate Veterinarian and is fulfilling her dream of practicing alongside her Father and mentor, Dr. Neville Sookra.
Dr. Bozeman enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine especially parasitology, animal behavior, soft tissue surgery, & client communication.
“Our mission at the Animal Health Clinic is ‘Caring for God’s Creatures’ I truly believe that means pets and people alike! Educating our clients, providing quality medicine with compassionate care and working with our clients to ensure each pet receives the care they deserve is what we strive to do daily. The human animal bond is such a special entity that can only be understood by those who have allowed it to change their hearts – God created it and I believe it’s our responsibility to protect it.”
In her free time Dr. Bozeman enjoys movies, cooking & baking, SEC football “Roll Tide!!” and spending time with her family.
Dr. Bozeman resides in Bradenton with her husband Jacob, daughter Makayla and their dog, a rescue lab mix named Grady Judd.