2004 – BS – Rutgers University – Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ
2009 – DVM – Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
2010 – Small Animal Rotating Internship – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
2013 – Neurology and Neurosurgery Residency – Veterinary Neurological Center, Phoenix, AZ
2013 – Board Certification – ACVIM (Neurology)
2013 – ACVIM Advanced Neurosurgery Certification Course, Las Vegas, NV
2014 – Neurosurgical Certificate of Training
Dr. Chris Levine grew up in Hudson and Union Counties in New Jersey. He attended Rutgers University – Cook College and obtained his Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Sciences with a focus on Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Research. He then was accepted into veterinary school and graduated from Oregon State University. He continued to travel across the country and completed a rotating small animal internship at Oklahoma State University, and then a neurology and neurosurgery residency program at the Veterinary Neurological Center in Phoenix, AZ. Following residency, he became Board Certified in Neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He then went on to complete an advanced neurosurgical training course and obtained his Neurosurgical Certificate, as well.
Dr. Levine moved to Sarasota, Florida with his family and worked in the area for 4 and a half years before moving on to open his own neurology, neurosurgery, and imaging practice. Dr. Levine’s professional interests include surgical treatments for intracranial and spinal cord tumors, fibrocartilagenous emboli (spinal cord strokes), auto-immune conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord (GME), and acquisition and interpretation of advanced non-invasive diagnostic imaging modalities (MRI, MRA, CT).
When not at work, Dr. Levine enjoys photography, auto repair (sheet metal work and engine repair), woodworking, and most of all, spending time with his wonderful wife, Kristen, and their three beautiful children, Tyler, Xander, and Arabella.
DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Dr. Kristen Levine
2004 – BS Biology – SUNY Fredonia – Fredonia, NY
2009 – DVM – Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
2010 – Small Animal Rotating Internship – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Dr. Kristen Levine grew up south of Buffalo, NY between several farms. She has always loved and been fascinated by animals and knew by the age of 2 that she was going to become a veterinarian. She went to SUNY Fredonia where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Biology. She went on to Veterinary school at Oregon State University where she graduated in 2009 and received her DVM degree. It was there that she met and fell in love with Chris Levine and they had their first 2 children, Tyler and Xander. She was accepted to and successfully completed a small animal rotating internship at Oklahoma State University. She went into general practice and emergency medicine for a few years in Phoenix, Arizona where Chris did his residency. She then went on to find her permanent home in Sarasota, Florida where she spent 4 and a half years working alongside her husband in veterinary neurology while doing relief general practice and emergency veterinary work. They had another beautiful child, Arabella, since moving to Florida. Kristen plans to continue to work full time in neurology and to do general practice on a relief basis in the surrounding communities.
In her free time Kristen loves spending time with her human family, swimming, anything outdoors, her mini farm where she raises mini-cows, mini-goats, and ducks. She also loves her other furry and feathered family members including her Ecclectus “Beautiful”, her English Golden Retriever “Polar Bear” and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels “Hershey”, “Cadburry”, and “Godiva”.
DVM
Alexis Speckman
2014 – Certified Veterinary Technician Certificate – Braden River High School
2017 – Associate in Arts and Sciences from the State College of Florida
Alexis was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Lakewood Ranch, Florida in 2005. She graduated Braden River High School in 2014 with her Certified Veterinary Assistant certification. She went on to obtain her Associate in Arts and Sciences from the State College of Florida in 2017. During high school she started a job working as a kennel associate at a local general practice, from there she surpassed all expectations and filled the shoes of a veterinary nurse and client service specialist for a total for 4 years. Alexis branched from her general practice and sought a career in neurological medicine. The job opportunities then presented themselves from there. She has been working with Dr. Levine for a total of two years, and truly would not have it any other way.
Alexis’s love for animals and background in hospitality thrive here at Levine Veterinary Neurology. You can usually find her smiling face up front assisting clients, or in the back working with patients hands-on.
Alexis enjoys spending her free time with her boyfriend Cody, and furbabies Maple (Golden retriever), Max (Siberian husky), and Luna Tuna (Rag doll).
Hospital Administrator
Brooke Taylor
Brooke was born and raised in Sarasota, FL. She has been employed here at Levine Veterinary Neurology for over a year now, and she excels in all departments.
You can usually find her in MRI with patients, or in the building actively working with our clients. She shares a special interest in performing diagnostic imaging and surgery.
She is a very fun and outgoing person who has a huge love for all animals and is here to help make a difference and is always looking to expand her knowledge and experiences. Her interests are being outdoors, listening to music, and hula hooping! She has a cat named Jack, who loves messing up her house before she comes home from a long day.
Veterinary Nurse
Charlie Allardyce
Charlie was born in Columbia, South Carolina and has since resided in Florida. He began working in animal medicine at a general practice for 19 years until he made his transition to Levine Veterinary Neurology.
In his free time, Charlie enjoys cruising around the Caribbean or even hiking through the mountains. Uniquely, he played the bagpipes for 12 years. When cooking, he prefers to use his smoker for that delicious BBQ taste.
He has a dachshund named Joker, and loves all animals. He shares a special interest in reptiles and aquariums, including freshwater and saltwater!
Veterinary Nurse
Aubrey Wagy
Aubrey was born and raised in Bellaire, Michigan. She grew up loving horses and trained them while barrel racing until she graduated in 2007. She then moved to Colorado, and moved onto Wyoming while she worked on a large cattle ranch. Aubrey worked in large animal for nearly 8 years.
In 2018, she moved to Florida, and resided in general practice. In her free time, you can find her fishing, hunting or virtually anything outdoors. She is happily married and has 2 mini Aussie's named Dollie and Dozer, and a new addition, Deacon, who is a border collie/dach mix.
Aubrey excels here at LVN, and truly enjoys working and treating neurologic patients along with her coworkers.
Veterinary Nurse
Kaila White
Kaila was born in Rumson, New Jersey, and moved down to Florida in 2000 and is a self proclaimed Disney expert!
Kaila's passion for animals started while employed at the Humane Society. Over her two years as an animal care specialist/tech assistant, she learned a diversity of animal care and wanted to further advance her career into veterinary medicine. Kaila's furbabies are Zuko, the one-eyed tripod, and Miss Lady Ma’am, the not so classy cocker spaniel. Both of her rescues are from HSSC!
Kaila has fostered dogs during her time at HSSC, including medical cases and Zuko was her first and only foster fail! Her favorite shelter cases were the overweight dogs. She enjoyed watching them lose the unhealthy weight, regain their energy and playfulness. It was always so gratifying!
Kaila is a person of many talents including drawing, long boarding, video games, camping, jamming to musicals, and of course, taking a good rest when she isn't saving the lives of our fur babies!
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
Kayla Thompson
Kayla was born in Gray, Maine and moved to Florida in 2012. She dove into her veterinary nursing career when she was just 16 years old as a kennel technician. She continued to work and 7 years later, her passion and devotion encouraged her to advance! Therefore, she made the brave move to further her education and began working in speciality. Kayla has her own fur-baby, Janet, who is an ~8-10 year old Chow/Lab mix rescue.
Kayla wears many hats here at Levine Veterinary Neurology. You can find her rounding Dr. Levine on his patients, monitoring anesthesia or providing TLC to our post-operative patients.
In her free time, Kayla enjoys cooking, going to the beach, and playing video games with her fiancé Vincent.
Veterinary Nurse
Alexandria Winn
Alexandria, mostly known as Alex, was born and raised in the sunshine state of Florida! She has always shared a love and passion for animals, which led her to a position at a general veterinary practice in 2017.
While working full time at a veterinary practice, Alex graduated from the Penn Foster College with her associates degree in applied sciences!
She decided to advance her veterinary career and ventured into Neurology to learn diseases within the central nervous system, and how to treat them appropriately.
When Alex is not working, she enjoys photography, traveling and visiting the beach. She is happily engaged to her soon-to-be husband, Justin & is kept on her toes by her Husky/Malamute fur-baby Lunara!
In November of 2021, Alex took the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) and passed with flying colors! She is now a certified veterinary technician!
Licensed Certified Veterinary Technician
Heather Wilson
Heather was born in Olympia, Washington and has since called many places “home.” In 2018 she relocated to Sarasota, FL from Bern, Switzerland. She began volunteering and job shadowing in local animal shelters, with the Red Cross, and veterinary hospitals at 8 years old. At 15 she accepted her first job as a kennel technician and worked until graduating high school. She then went on to study Evolutionary Biology and Ornithology at The Evergreen State College. In 2014 she returned to the veterinary field working various positions (receptionist, doctor’s assistant, surgical technician, outpatient nurse) in a large general practice hospital – with its own, on-site specialty holistic department – for the next four years. In 2019 she started her next journey here at Levine Veterinary Neurology.
Exotics and environmental conservation are her passions. Heather enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Collin, bird watching, kayaking, backpacking, research, being creative, cooking, and looking after her own pets (‘Deedle,’ the Amazon parrot; ‘Jhin,’ the banana morph ball python; ‘Cypress,’ the Brazilian rainbow boa; ‘Ember,’ the boa constrictor imperator).
Overnight Nurse
Lauren Youngkin
Lauren was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, home of the Amish and farmland everywhere in sight. While living in the country, she focused on behavioral modification and animal training. In 2021, she made her greatest move to the sunshine state! While making her home here in Florida, she continued sharing her behavioral expertise with family and friends. Lauren took a brave step into a medical role and pursued a career in veterinary medicine. She is eager to advance into a technical and nursing role.
Aside from dog training, she enjoys playing video games, going to aquariums, listening to music, and spending time with her 3 cats (old but very handsome Astaroth, Queen Bee Mazikeen, and her biggest terror, Sakai).
Client Service Representative
Megan Bergeron
Megan is a true Floridian, born and raised in Ocala. As a little girl, Megan took a big interest in veterinary medicine. She has been an animal lover all of her life. Megan dove into her dream career headfirst by becoming a nursing assistant at a local general practice. In 2022, Megan enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program at St. Petersburg College. During the Winter of 2023, Megan took an opportunity to advance her education and skills by joining Levine Veterinary Neurology. As she advances into her nursing assistant role, you can find her monitoring our patients while under anesthesia or lending a helping hand during procedures.
Megan’s long-term goal would be for her to build, run and manage her own animal rescue as a certified veterinary technician!
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing video games, and also reading and writing. Megan has 3 of her own animals; Prince and Kane (cats) and Nikki (dog), however, this is her smaller zoo as she has lots of experience with bearded dragons, turtles, ferrets, birds, etc.!
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
