Missy Ziler - President
From a very small child Missy has had a love for animals. Growing up on the family’s “farm” outside Boston Massachusetts she had many pets but her favorites were her pet raccoon “Chitter” and a St. Bernard named “Auddi”.
To this day that love for animals has never wavered. She worked in pet stores in her early career and has always been an advocate for animal rescues.
Missy’s life today is much like it was a child. She and her husband have 10 acres that she has adorned “Misfit Farm” which consists of their rescued horses and dogs, all with a story, all loved dearly, all that hold a special place in her heart.
In addition to keeping up with Misfit Farm Missy has a soft spot for children and their needs. She volunteers at local schools with her dog Woolf in a READing Paws Program, as well is a volunteer for Cornerstone Hospice. Additionally she volunteers with local humane groups for the well-being of animals.
Joe Ziler - Vice President & Secretary
Joe is a 22 year veteran in the homebuilding industry. He has lived all over the east coast before settling here in Lake County where he calls “home”. He is a local business owner and President of Kevco Builders Inc. which is an area remodeling and custom homebuilder.
He and his wife Missy are very involved in local charities such as the Department of Children’s Services, The Humane Society and he is also a member of the YMCA Board of Directors.
A self-proclaimed animal lover he is largely to blame for all the “rescues” Missy and he have at Misfit Farm.
Joan St. Denis - Treasurer
Joan is a current volunteer for Intermountain Therapy Animals, R.E.A.Ding Paws, and Companions for Courage. She is active in pet therapy of all kinds, fosters animals with "special needs" both medical and physical, and is currently studying Veterinary Homeopathy.
Joanne Hart-Rittenhouse - Board Member
Joanne is active in pet therapy, humane education, and animal rescue work. She makes presentations in schools, camps, libraries and other venues to help adults and children to be responsible pet owners and to be safe around dogs. She also promotes "special needs" pets, as one of her therapy dogs is deaf but has learned to understand commands in American sign language and he works with deaf children. In addition to volunteering with Companions for Courage, she also volunteers for Florida Boxer rescue, PAWS Therapy Dogs and South Lake Animal League.
Dan Martin - Board Member
A Florida native, Dan has lived in the Mount Dora area since 2001. Dan gives back to the community in many ways; through supporting local businesses and charities, by being a multi-gallon blood donor, and for the past few years, by working with his therapy dog Jake. Dan and Jake make regular visits with the Caring Canines Therapy Dogs organization to bring smiles to the faces of patients at Florida Hospital Waterman and the kids at Camp Boggy Creek.
Dr. Tracie Wilson - Board Member
My career in veterinary medicine began in 1989 when I began classes for veterinary technicians at St Petersburg Junior College. I graduated with an A.S. in Veterinary Technology in 1991 and began working in the small animal field. As the profession grew and evolved I found myself teaching for a while at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I worked in the anesthetic department teaching junior veterinary students the art of anesthesia.
When I came back to Florida, I attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando while I worked at the Daytona Beach Animal Emergency Clinic. I was studying pre-vet classes at the time, and moved to Tennessee to accept a job at the veterinary college in Knoxville while I finished my under grad studies. I was teaching and working in the Intensive Care Ward while taking classes over on the main campus. After completing the course work I was accepted to attend the veterinary college at the University of Tennessee.
I graduated from the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and took a job in central Kentucky. I worked as an associate veterinarian in Danville Kentucky for six years before I found my way back to Florida.
Here in Florida, I worked as an associate vet for a year while I geared up to open my own office. I chose the Eustis area because the community and the people were very welcoming and supportive of a new enterprise. At this time the Animal Medical Center of Eustis is a full service small animal hospital – where I specialize in TLC!
Current Associations:
AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association
FVMA – Florida Veterinary Medical Association
VECCS – Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
HSVMA - Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
Save the Manatee Club
Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce
I also actively participate in providing veterinary care for the Humane Society of Lake County, The Leesburg Humane Society, the Cat Protection Society, the Florida Boxer Rescue, and the Stacks Foundation.