Meet the Team

Dr. Stephen Van Lue graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. After spending 5 years in emergency medicine and surgery, he completed a small animal surgical residency at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Steve became a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1998. He has spent several years in academia (Associate Professor of Surgery, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark), clinical practice, and research before founding Van Lue Veterinary Surgical in 2011. He has also been a major contributor in the development of many new surgical technologies while serving as a surgical consultant to the medical device community in Silicon Valley, CA. Steve has two issued United States patents for novel surgical devices used in minimally invasive surgery. Steve grew up in Maitland, Florida where his family has resided since 1964.

Dr. Anne Van Lue, DVM, PhD

Dr. Anne Van Lue is married to Steve and received her DVM in 2000 from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, where she also served as Assistant Professor of Surgery after completing her Ph.D. in small animal surgery with an emphasis on minimally invasive surgery. Anne has been performing general surgical relief services over the last 10 years, as well as working with Steve on the specialty surgical practice. Anne grew up in Denmark, but has now lived in the US since 2007. Both Anne and Steve have published in peer-reviewed medical literature, and Steve is active in professional education and surgeon training in minimally invasive surgery.

They have 3 sons, Niels (14), Jens (12), and Mads (6), two dogs (Maddie and Strider), and two cats (Stampy and Frosty). In their spare time the Van Lue’s love the Florida nature in and on the water in the ocean, rivers, and natural springs of Florida.

Dr. Sonya Myers, Imaging Consultant, DVM

Dr. Sonya graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 and was an associate at a multidoctor Veterinary Practice for 9 years before going mobile to perform ultrasonography. Since 2017 she has fine tuned her skills as a full-time sonographer and her years in general practice have allowed her to provide not only a diagnosis via ultrasound, but also give considerations for treatment based on both ultrasound findings and her clinical experience. Dr. Sonya is married to her husband Ron with two children Nali and Ira. They have a black lab named Pony (named by Nali), three cats – Chavez, Fred, and Tater Tot and two guinea pigs – Tractor and fireworks. In her spare time, she enjoys Kayaking, camping, and swimming in the springs and ocean.

Breeannan Tout, Cert IV, Surgical Dipl.​​​​​​​ – Office Manager​​​​​​​

Bree was born and raised in Australia and started her veterinary career in 2008 at a busy general practice which performed an array of specialized surgical procedures. There she developed her passion for surgery, patient recovery, and pain management, and also earned her certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing as well as a diploma in Veterinary Surgical Nursing. Throughout the years she moved on and became head of surgery of another high volume veterinary hospital before moving to sunny Florida in 2017 to be with her husband, Jonathan. Breeannan has a stepson Brayden, and together with Jonathan has recently welcomed a son Luca. They have 2 dogs (Koa & Malie) and rescue kitties and love spending time outdoors together.

Sara Nissen – Customer Service Coordinator

Sara grew up on her grandparents’ thoroughbred farm in Ohio. Since then, she knew she wanted to be in the veterinary field. After working with horses for many years, she was given the opportunity to work with small animals as well as exotics.
Since moving to Florida, Sara has adopted two Pit Bulls named Heidi and Hanz, and her dream is to rescue many more!

Molly Kaminski – Surgical Coordinator

Molly started her veterinary career in 2005. Since then, Molly has worked in general medicine and spent the past 8 years in specialty medicine. Throughout this time, she has developed a passion for anesthesia and patient care.
Molly and her husband Victor have two sons, Noah, and Gavin. When not busy attending her sons’ sporting events, Molly enjoys spending time with her rescue dogs, Baylor, and Greg, and her two cats, Boris and Boone.

Melissa Schaffer, BAS, CVT – Anesthesia Lead

Melissa graduated from St. Petersburg College with her Bachelor’s in Applied Science Veterinary Technology degree in June 2016, and has been a certified veterinary technician (CVT) since July 2012. Throughout her career, Melissa has worked in both general veterinary practices and specialty veterinary surgery practices. Melissa has a passion for surgery and anesthesia and plans to obtain her veterinary technician specialty (VTS) in these areas. Melissa and her husband Nolan, welcomed their daughter, Ryleigh, in 2022. They have 2 dogs McKenzie and Lucy, and 1 cat, Cooper. When she’s not busy with the joys of motherhood, Melissa enjoys watching Tampa Bay Lightening hockey and UCF Knights football, and attending concerts.

Daisy Rios – Veterinary Technician

Daisy was born and raised in Colombia and ever since she was little she has been involved with rescuing, fostering and rehabilitating all different kinds of animals. Daisy graduated from Veterinary Nurse assistance program in 2002 before moving into general practice. Daisy has been a Surgical Veterinary Technician for the past 13 years and her passion has been patient care, anesthesia and assisting in surgery. Daisy and her husband Alex have two daughters, Sarah and Anabella and a large family of rescue animals. Reese the rescue Pitbull, 4 cats (Cammy, Smoky, Stormy and Peppa) and a rescue Dumbo Rat named Fiona. In her spare time Daisy loves being with her family, pets and being one with nature.

Joe Cruz – Veterinary Assistant

Joe is a Florida native who loves all things nature. After graduating from Trinity college of Florida, he went on to photographing Florida’s freshwater springs – above and below the water! Joe is currently enrolled at Ashworth College to become a certified Veterinary Technician. He and his wife Jamie live in Central Florida with their rescue dog, Mabel. Joe enjoys spending time travelling, hiking, and exploring our freshwater springs.