Our Doctors | Estero Animal Hospital

Kirk Teschke, DVM
Veterinarian, Practice Co-Owner

What is your favorite band? U2
Which sports team is your favorite? Who else? Go Gators!!!
Where did you grow up? Jacksonville, FloridaWhere did you attend college? Where did you attend veterinary school, and what year did you graduate?
I attended the University of Florida for my undergraduate and graduate studies and graduated in 1995 with my DVM.What year did you begin Estero Animal Hospital, and what is something memorable about your first few days?
With the help of my business partner Larry Scrabis, we opened Estero Animal Hospital in 2001. We had one other employee, Barbara, who ran the front desk. I can remember that first day we had five appointments, despite not having advertised yet. This was considered a good day for us at the time. I also remember how refreshingly nice all the clients were that first day.

Why did you choose veterinary medicine?
I chose veterinary medicine because I really felt that it fit my personality; I just really couldn’t see myself doing anything else. There was no other option in my opinion. Vet school was all or nothing for me. I also really like the science of medicine, and of course working with animals.

Do you have a special interest in veterinary medicine?
Actually, I really have a passion for surgical procedures. Each one is different, and you never know what kind of challenge you will face. It is always a learning experience.

If there was one thing you could change about veterinary medicine, what would it be? That there was a cure for every animal and every disease.

How many pets do you have, and what kind? We have eight pets. We have one dog, three cats, and four chickens.

Larry Scrabis, DVM
Veterinarian, Practice Co-Owner

What was the last book you read? “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy”

If you were stranded on a desert island and could pick one movie to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Jaws!”

Where did you grow up? Ormard Beach, FL

When did you move to Florida? 1974

Where did you attend college? Go Gators!

Where did you attend veterinary school, and what year did you graduate? Go Gators again!

What year did you begin Estero Animal Hospital, and what is something memorable about your first few days? Dec 2001-our first shipment was delayed so it was a hectic first day.

Why did you choose veterinary medicine as a profession? To help animals, but also their owners.

Do you have a special interest in veterinary medicine? Ultrasound

If there was one thing you could change about veterinary medicine, what would it be? That all of our pets could have much longer life spans.

Jennifer Dewe-Mathews, DVM
Associate Veterinarian

What was the last book you read? “The Day the Crayons Came Home” (great book!)
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only pick one movie to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Sixteen Candles” or “The Breakfast Club” (can you tell I’m a child of the 80’s?)
Where did you grow up? I grew up in New City, NY, a suburb of NYC.
When did you move to Florida? I very reluctantly moved to Florida in 2004, one week before Hurricane Charlie-Welcome to Florida!! It has taken about 7 years for me to adapt. I do not, however, miss the snow 🙂What school did you attend college?
Jen received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University.Where did you attend veterinary school, and what year did you graduate?
After spending two years in Washington D.C. obtaining her Masters of Arts in Developmental Biology from American University, Jen moved back to the tundra of Ithaca, NY. She completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 2003. Upon graduation, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ.

What year did you begin working at Estero Animal Hospital? What is something memorable about your first few days?
I joined the practice in June 2008 just prior to Estero Animal Hospital’s big move to its current location. For about 2 months, I worked with Kirk and Larry in the very small clinic in the Albertson’s plaza on Route 41 and Williams Road. The clinic was so small and the largest cage could only accommodate an 80 pound dog. One day, shortly after I started working there, I opened the bathroom door and a St. Bernard came running out! The bathroom was the only place large enough to house the dog that had been dropped off for radiographs.

Why did you choose veterinary medicine as a profession?
When I was little, all the little girls I knew were playing with dolls and playing house. I hated dolls and can recall owning one Cabbage Patch kid which my sister “adopted”. I did however, have tons of stuffed animals. I would play pet store (which I am now appalled to admit, as I would never purchase a dog from a pet store/puppy mill) and animal hospital for hours. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian and was very driven to obtain that goal. This is truly a vocation and not “just a job”. I could not imagine doing anything else!

Do you have a special interest in veterinary medicine?
I enjoy internal medicine (chronic kidney disease, immune mediated diseases, thyroid disease, etc) and the challenges of case work up and management. I have a strong interest in feline medicine, managing the obesity epidemic in our pets, and helping owners handle behavior concerns (separation anxiety, storm anxiety, inappropriate urination).

If there was one thing you could change about veterinary medicine what would it be?
I wish that the veterinary medical association would be able to once and for all take a stand and abolish puppy mills in all states. Puppy mills are the source of the majority , if not all, dogs that are sold at pet stores. The conditions in which these dogs live is deplorable. I wish that no dog would suffer this fate and that all the dogs and cats in shelters will one day find a forever home.

David Cray, DVM
Associate Veterinarian

What book have you read that had a major impact on your life?
Green Eggs and HamIf you were stranded on a desert island and had only one movie to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cinderella ManWhere did you grow up?
Mount Laurel, New Jersey. It’s one of the flatter parts of Jersey. Laurels are sparse.

Where did you complete your undergraduate studies?
Notre Dame.

Where did you go to veterinary school?
Tufts

When did you move down to Florida?
4 years ago, following my beautiful wife.

Why did you choose veterinary medicine?
Because taking care of animals is the most fulfilling career I can imagine and the science of medicine appeals to my nerdy side.

Do you have a special interest in veterinary medicine?
I enjoy the focus of surgery and the challenge of exotic patients.

If there was one thing you could change about veterinary medicine what would it be?
Better dissemination of information to pet owners. Well informed owners are the best defense against illness or injury in pets.

Do you have any pets?
I have a beagle, Maddie, and a golden retriever, Neeko. They compete passively but continuously to see who can be needier emotionally.

Amelia Foster, DVM,
Associate Vet

What was the last book you read? Fighting for Life-American Military Medicine in World War II

If you were stranded on a desert island and could pick one movie to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be? A Few Good Men, (a close second every season of Game of Thrones except Season 8)!

Where did you grow up? Mostly in New England with a splash of Florida and Texas

When did you move to Florida? I moved here from Maine in 2005 for my husband to be closer to his family in Naples; and we beat Hurricane Wilma by one month!!

Where did you attend college? Undergraduate-Boston University (1987) and Veterinary School-Tufts (1992) and the school of hard knocks, US Army (1984-2019), Hooaahh!!

Why did you choose Veterinary Medicine? I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what is wrong with an animal when they cannot speak for themselves. It is rewarding to be a part of my patients families and keep their pets healthy through every life stage.

Do you have a special interest in Veterinary Medicine? I am a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and enjoy internal medicine and soft tissue surgery as well.

Do you have any pets? I have 2 Boxers, 2 goats, 1 cat and 1 cycloptic atopic, epileptic Pit Bull, (she is very pretty).

Arturo Fernandez, DVM,
Associate Vet

Dr. Arturo Fernandez was born and raised in Lima, Peru. Since an early age, he had a strong interest in animals. At age 16, he moved to Florida and started his studies towards admission to a veterinary school. He then was accepted at Auburn University where he obtained his DVM degree. He started his career at Tampa when he worked 2 years at an emergency facility, and then 2 years at a general practice. Dr. Fernandez then moved south to Ft. Myers to continue practicing veterinary medicine. When Dr. Fernandez is not taking care of your furry friends, he enjoys spending time with his wife, and getting his house ready for his first child! They love going hiking, walking by the beach, and visiting their families. Dr. Fernandez has a lovely dog, Milo, and a shy cat, Chillax. Dr. Fernandez special interests include soft tissue surgery and both neurology and oncology case managements. He is excited to start at Estero Animal Hospital and provide great care for your loved ones.