About Saint Francis Animal Hospital

Affordable and reliable veterinary care is important for you and your pet. Saint Francis Animal Hospital, founded in 2003, strives to provide healthcare for all owned pets, regardless of the owner's ability to pay. We work diligently to treat every patient with quality, comprehensive care - and to protect the special bond that exists between you and your animal.

Our intense desire to provide a wide range of services, at prices you can afford, is the driving force behind our office. We treat dogs and cats, and always welcome new patients with open arms. Currently, we offer lower-cost:

Spays and Neuters
Vaccinations
X-Rays
Basic Diagnostic Exams
Routine Checkups

Long term, we aspire to be a full-service diagnostic and treatment center where we can offer affordable or subsidized treatment for more extensive problems such as periodontal disease, ruptured ligaments, and herniated disks; conduct orthopedic and heart surgeries; implement cancer treatments; and much more. Through community support, benefactor donations, and our loyal patients who walk through our door every day, we continue to move toward making our future goals a reality.

The Staff

Susan Shelton, DVM, Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Founder

Dr. Susan Shelton grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended Jacksonville University for her undergraduate studies and finished her education in 1991 at the University of Florida where she graduated, with honors, from the College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2000, Dr. Shelton earned specialist status and board certification in canine and feline practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Shelton's veterinary career began when she opened Wells Road Veterinary Medical Center. In 2001, Dr. Shelton became extensively involved in local animal welfare issues. She joined, upon invitation, Mayor Delaney's Task Force where she investigated the treatment and boarding conditions at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services. After serving on the task force, she provided interim veterinary services for Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services; starting in January 2002, she held a seven month tenure as its first Senior Veterinarian. While working at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services, Dr. Shelton designed and implemented the first on-site sterilization facility and oversaw the sterilization and adoption of over 3600 animals, three times the prior year's numbers.

She founded Saint Francis Animal Hospital in 2003, and it is here that she spends her daily efforts caring for animals and providing affordable veterinary services for Jacksonville's pet owners. Occasionally, Dr. Shelton will assist at Wells Road Veterinary Medical Center in Orange Park for surgery days. The doctor's special interests lie in dentistry (endodontic and periodontics) and high volume spay and neuter. She resides in Jacksonville with her husband Scott and two wonderful sons, Blake and Lucas. Her family pets include Autumn, a rescue dog from Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services, and their cat Baby Mel.

Thara Moody, Lead Technician

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Thara was raised in Brunswick, Georgia. From the time she was small, she had a passion for animals and took in any stray she found. Driven to spend her professional life doing something she loved, she chose veterinary medicine. Thara received a bachelor's of science in Veterinary Technology from Fort Valley State University and then moved to Jacksonville, Florida to begin her career.

For three years, she was a veterinary technician at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services. In 2004, she joined the Saint Francis team and has been with the hospital since. As lead technician, she works diligently to ensure her patients' comfort and also takes extreme pride in client interaction.

Thara's personal interests include spending time with her husband, Eugene, and three children Christopher, Leslie and Kaya. They enjoy family vacations and playing sports together. She is also active in her special events team at church and loves to watch old, black and white movies. True to her childhood roots, Thara still takes home any stray animals that will follow and also cares for the two family dogs, Chuey and Scar.

Tana Fuller, Lead Receptionist

Tana grew up in Newport News, Virginia. She moved to Atlanta where she met and married Steve, a sailor in the Navy, and the two lived in numerous cities across the country before settling in Jacksonville, Florida to raise their family.

Once in Jacksonville, Tana started working at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services and was rapidly promoted to supervise the adoptions, reclaims and intakes department; her longtime dream of working with animals was realized - the job was a perfect fit. Next, Tana went to work for Wells Road Veterinary Medical Center as Lead Receptionist. As part of Dr. Shelton's go-to team, she split her time between Wells Road and Saint Francis, when the non-profit animal hospital first opened. Now, she spends each day at Saint Francis Animal Hospital and keeps the office running like a well-oiled machine. There isn't anything she can't do - especially in Excel - and she is ready to assist every client who walks through the door, whatever their need.

When not at the office, Tana enjoys spending quality time with her husband, their two children, James and Alex, and the family pound puppies, Cedrick and Cupcake.

Debbie Dresner, Bookkeeper

A Florida native, Debbie was born in Winter Park and moved all over South Florida until her family settled in Jacksonville during her elementary years. Debbie volunteered at Wells Road Veterinary Medical Center during high school and was eventually hired on as a technician. While attending college, she worked as a technician at other veterinary centers in the state; in 2003 she graduated from University of Florida with a bachelor's of science in Family, Youth, and Community Science and a minor in Gerontology.

When Debbie moved back to Jacksonville she started working with Dr. Shelton at Wells Road and Saint Francis Animal Hospital. With over nine years of veterinary experience, she is now fulltime at Saint Francis and handles its day-to-day operations. Being a part of the Saint Francis team has changed Debbie's life and perspective on veterinary care. She considers it a true blessing to work at the hospital and help its pets and their owners.

Reading books, watching movies and going to the beach in search of shark teeth with her young daughter, Jolie, is how Debbie enjoys her time off. She has two cats Lily and Chunk, and one wonder dog, Cleo, who is the star of two Saint Francis Animal Hospital TV commercials.

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Our Partners

Wells Road Veterinary Medical Center

Opened in 1990 by Dr. Susan Shelton, the Orange Park veterinary office is now owned and managed by Dr. Shelton's protege Dr. Michal Anne Harris. It is a full-service animal hospital that partners with us to care for pets that need surgery, grooming and boarding services.

wellsroadvet.com

First Coast No More Homeless Pets

We work with First Coast No More Homeless Pets whenever possible to ensure the Jacksonville cat and dog population is cared for, and also controlled.

fcnmhp.org

Jacksonville Humane Society

Animals in need of shelter and nutrition are given love and food at the Jacksonville Humane Society until they find their new homes. We are proud to accept their referrals for our affordable veterinary services.

jaxhumane.com

Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services

We gladly accept new patients adopted from Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services. Visit their site to view all the animlas up for adoption, search for lost pets and to learn more about Jacksonville's animal ordinances.

coj.net/pets