Meet Our Team
Dr. Carley Distasio
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Carley Distasio was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University in 2019—War Eagle!
Dr. Distasio is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care to each of her patients while building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with the families who trust her with their pets. She values clear communication, individualized care, and helping pet owners feel confident and supported throughout every stage of their pet’s life. She has been with the Colony Plaza team since 2018. She has appointments available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and also Fridays.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Distasio enjoys reading, attending church, and exploring all that Central Florida has to offer. Most importantly, she treasures spending quality time with her husband, who is also a veterinarian, their two young sons, and their two beloved dogs.
Dr. Laura Shafer
Seasonal Veterinarian
Dr. Laura Shafer brings more than 30 years of veterinary experience and a lifelong dedication to caring for animals and the people who love them. She has been with the Colony Plaza team since 2019. Before joining our team, she owned and operated Vestal Animal Hospital in New York alongside her husband and daughter, where she spent many years building lasting relationships with clients and providing compassionate care to generations of pets.
Dr. Shafer now practices with us seasonally, sharing her knowledge and experience with our team and patients for several months each year before returning to her summer home in Maine.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Shafer enjoys spending time with her two beloved dogs, Figment and Dory. Her warmth, experience, and commitment to animal care make her a valued part of our veterinary family since 2019. She has appointments open on Mondays only part of the year as she is semi-retired.
Dr. Max Smith (Dr. Max)
Seasonal Veterinarian
Dr. Max was born in Kankakee, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, where he completed both his undergraduate studies and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree between 1972 and 1979. Following graduation, he moved to Evansville, Indiana, where he devoted 43 years to practicing veterinary medicine before relocating to The Villages, Florida.
Throughout his long career, Dr. Max has remained committed to providing knowledgeable, compassionate care to his patients and their families. Veterinary and medical care also run in the family—his daughter, Katie, is a veterinarian, and his son, Kevin, is an internal medicine physician.
Dr. Max has been married to his wife, Julie, for many wonderful years. He and Julie enjoy the Florida sunshine and spending time in The Villages, where they reside full time now. Dr. Max Smith or Dr. Max as we call him. Has appointments at Colony Plaza every Monday and Tuesday and we are grateful to have his experience, kindness, and dedication as part of our veterinary team since 2021.
Dr. Sheryl Vandiver
Veterinarian
Dr. Vandiver, affectionately known as Dr. V or Dr. Sheryl., is a 1996 graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She brings more than almost 30 years of experience in small animal medicine, emergency and critical care, and surgery. Her career has included owning her own veterinary hospital for 13 years and providing relief veterinary services throughout Illinois for the past nine years. She joined the Colony Plaza Team as medical director in 2026.
Dr. V. is passionate about compassionate, high-quality care and building trusting relationships with pets and their families. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her son, Samuel, riding dressage with her two Lipizzaner horses, and caring for her many dogs and cats. She looks forward to meeting you and your furry family! She is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She will see patients on Saturdays from 8 am to 1pm by appointment only starting Fall/Winter of 2026!
Dr. Jon Smith
Relief Veterinarian
Dr. Jon Smith is originally from New Orleans and has been a valued member of the Colony Plaza Animal Hospital team since 2018. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, thoughtful care to his patients while helping their families feel comfortable and confident in their pets’ healthcare.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Smith enjoys an active lifestyle that includes fishing, kayaking, and coaching children’s soccer. He also loves spending time with his handsome dog, Becks, his loyal companion and buddy in life. One of their favorite activities is visiting the dog park together.
Dr. Smith sees appointments at Colony Plaza every Thursday and Friday, and we are grateful to have his experience, kindness, and dedication as part of our veterinary team.
Lisa Wilson
Technician & Office Manager
Lisa has been with the Colony Plaza team since 2018. She has always had a deep love for animals and a passion for improving the lives of both pets and the people who care for them. Whether at work or at home, she is continually looking for ways to support the health, comfort, and well-being of animals.
Her career in veterinary medicine began in 1998 at 16 years old; she then graduated from high school while simultaneously completing a college veterinary assisting program. She later earned an Associate of Science degree in Health Sciences, focusing on human healthcare, before ultimately returning to the veterinary profession she truly loved.
Throughout her career, Lisa has gained extensive hands-on experience working with exotic and companion animals, as well as in emergency and specialty veterinary practices throughout Central Florida. These diverse experiences have helped shape her knowledge, leadership, and commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality veterinary care. She feels truly blessed to be part of such a dedicated animal care team.
Outside of work, Lisa is a proud mom to her son, Emory, and shares her home with quite the rescued animal family! Her pets include can Australian Kelpie mix, a Coonhound/Shepherd mix, and four cats. For Lisa, caring for animals is more than a career—it has been a lifelong passion.
Monika Figueredo
Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
Maxwell Smith
Veterinary Technician
Maxwell has been a valued member of the Colony Plaza team since 2024 and brings more than 14 years of experience as a veterinary technician. His dedication to caring for animals, supporting their families, and continuing to grow within the veterinary field is evident in everything he does.
Outside of work, Maxwell is a devoted husband and proud father of five young children, including two sets of twins. He enjoys singing, playing musical instruments, spending quality time with his family, and occasionally unwinding with video games.
Maxwell is currently pursuing his dream of becoming a veterinarian, and we are proud to support him as he continues this exciting journey in veterinary medicine.
Genni Day
Veterinary Technician
Genni has been an animal lover her entire life. Growing up in Southern Illinois, she was surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and other animals—she was so devoted to her horse that she even brought one along with her to college!
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has spent more than 20 years working in various areas of veterinary medicine. Throughout her career, Genni has also generously volunteered her time with several animal rescue organizations, further reflecting her lifelong commitment to helping animals in need.
In the summer of 2025, Genni relocated to Florida from Washington State with her three daughters and their rescued French Bulldog and became part of the team at Colony Plaza. She is grateful to continue doing what she loves most—caring for animals and supporting the families who love them.
Stephanie Delgado
Veterinary Technician
Stephanie has always had a love for animals from a young age. She spent the first nine years of her life in Puerto Rico, where she was born, being surrounded by animals that her family raised. She knew from a young age that her future would involve her love for animals. She began her journey with her first job being at a pet store and would eventually become a receptionist at a veterinary hospital in downtown Chicago. Through hard work and hands-on training, she expeditiously excelled to become a veterinary technician.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked with a wide variety of animals, including exotics and small animals involving general practice, specialty medicine and emergency care. These experiences have deepened her commitment to animal care and strengthened her goal of becoming an advocate for patients who cannot speak for themselves. Stephanie's favorite part about being a veterinary technician is being able to provide superior care during surgical procedures while watching her patients thrive post-operatively. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of animals and their owners, especially during their most challenging and emotional times.
At home, Stephanie shares her life with her family, including her husband and daughter, a very energetic Blue Heeler named Indigo, her adored Calico cat Miss Honey Bun, a Box turtle named Chip, a Green cheek Conure named Coqui, 3 rabbits, many quails and her extensive brood of chickens. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, swimming and spending quality time with her family. She is beyond happy to be a part of the Colony Plaza team since 2026 and their mission to provide exceptional patient care.
Dani Soares-Vaciloto
Technician Assistant / Kennel Staff
Daniella, or “Dani” as we affectionately call her, has been an animal lover her entire life. She first joined Colony Plaza as a job-shadowing student from The Villages Charter School and quickly found a place where her passion for animals could grow.
Dani is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a Veterinary Tech then a veterinarian and looks forward to building a future dedicated to helping animals and the people who love them. At home, she shares her life with her two beloved cats, Chico and Bailey, and hopes to add a dog to the family once she completes veterinary school. We are excited to be a part of Dani’s journey as she works toward achieving her goals in veterinary medicine.
Sharon Walshak
Kennel Staff / Assistant
Sharon brings years of kennel management and shelter medicine experience to our team. Her genuine compassion and dedication are evident in the exceptional care she provides to every boarding guest and patient who comes through our doors.
When she’s not caring for animals at the hospital, Sharon enjoys spending time with her beloved dog, Charli, who is rarely far from her side. She also generously gives her time volunteering at a local horse rescue, further reflecting her lifelong commitment to the care and well-being of animals.
Barbara Hutter
Client Service Representative
Barbra is a proud New Yorker at heart who made the move to Florida to trade the snow for sunshine and to be closer to family. She brings a strong work ethic, friendly personality, and genuine dedication to her role as a veterinary receptionist. Barbra enjoys helping our clients and their beloved pets feel welcomed and cared for from the moment they walk through our doors since 2023.
Outside of work, Barbra loves spending time with her dog, Bella, who holds a very special place in her heart. She is grateful to be part of a veterinary team that shares her commitment to animals and the people who love them.
Caroline Early
Receptionist
Caroline joined the Colony Plaza team as a receptionist in 2026 and is beginning an exciting new chapter in veterinary medicine. Before relocating from Virginia, she spent more than 10 years working in human medicine, bringing with her a strong background in compassionate care and helping others.
Caroline has always had a special love for animals and is excited to bring that passion into the veterinary field. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time on the water, and making memories with family and friends. She is also a proud cat mom to her beloved tuxedo cat, Cricket.
Robert Bridglal-Ennis
Receptionist
Robert has spent his entire life in Florida and has been dedicated to the veterinary field since 2017. He joined the Colony Plaza team in 2026, bringing with him a genuine passion for animal care and a strong commitment to helping pets live happy, healthy lives.
Growing up surrounded by a variety of animals inspired Robert to pursue a lasting career in veterinary medicine. At home, he is a proud pet parent to his Doberman, Athena. Robert finds great fulfillment in helping animals and their families and is truly excited to be part of the compassionate and dedicated team at Colony Plaza.
