Doctors

Dr. Neville Sookra - Practice Owner

Dr. Sookra was born in the West Indies on the Island of Trinidad. His love for animals led him to pursue training as a large animal field technician. He then joined the Ministry of Agriculture as a field veterinary assistant and then went onto the Ministry of Health as a Veterinary Public Health Inspector.  Combined with his love for animals and Agriculture, Dr. Sookra then went on to receive his B.Sc in Agriculture/Animal Science at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and graduated with honors.  Dr. Sookra dreamt of one day becoming a Veterinarian, however; with no veterinary schools available in Trinidad at that time, he decided to take a leap of faith. Dr. Sookra and his wife Susan with their 3 children in tow immigrated to Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Sookra received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 1995.  He then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to work as an associate Veterinarian. Dr. Sookra spent 3 years in “the Soo” but those long winters finally took their toll so he and his family moved down south to sunny Bradenton, FL in 1998. Dr. Sookra worked for 3 years at Banfield Pet Hospital in Bradenton and several years as an Emergency Veterinarian at the Sarasota Emergency Clinic.

Living in the Lakewood Ranch area Dr. Sookra saw a need for an animal hospital. After much contemplation and prayer he and Mrs. Sookra decided to open their own clinic. In September of 2002 their dream was realized as the Animal Health Clinic opened its doors.

2023 marks Dr. Sookra’s 21st year anniversary for the Animal Health Clinic. Dr. Sookra has a passion for his patients and his clients – he continues to touch lives in the Lakewood Ranch community daily. Over the years he has mentored many students at the clinic who have gone on to become Veterinarians and some who are soon to become Medical Doctors.

Dr. Sookra enjoys all aspects of Small Animal medicine especially Internal Medicine and Surgery.

In his free time outside of work Dr. Sookra is an avid gardener and carpenter. He enjoys spending time with his wife Susan and their 4 children; Saska, Thalia, Stefan & Michael and his 5 grandchildren: Madeleine, Seamus, Alexander, Makayla, & Issac.

Dr. Sookra resides in Bradenton with his wife Susan. They have 2 cats at home – a calico Maine Coon mix named Sheridan which he rescued 18 years ago , Felix a tuxedo cat and Girlzin, a husky, Pittbull, lab mix. He also has his own flock of Muscovy & Pekin ducks and an affinity for the numerous wild birds that visit his yard daily.~~


Dr. Thalia Bozeman - Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Bozeman was born in St. Joseph, Trinidad. From a very early age she knew she wanted to help animals and become a veterinarian. Dr. Bozeman’s family moved to Guelph, Ontario and resided there while her father attended Veterinary School. They then moved to Bradenton in 1998 where Dr. Bozeman attended and then graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School. Dr. Bozeman began working at the Animal Health Clinic in 2002 when it initially opened. While working as a veterinary assistant and volunteering at several ranches and farms, Dr. Bozeman also attended The University of South Florida in pursuit of her dream to one day become a veterinarian. Dr. Bozeman graduated from USF with a B.Sc. in Biology. 

Dr. Bozeman then moved to Alabama in 2008 where she attended Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. While pursuing her studies she served as the Vice President of the Veterinary Business Management Association at Tuskegee for 2 years.  She also became a student member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and Omega Tau Sigma Veterinary Fraternity. Dr. Bozeman graduated Cum Laude from Tuskegee with her DVM in 2012.

Dr. Bozeman returned to the Animal Health Clinic in February of 2013 as our Associate Veterinarian and is fulfilling her dream of practicing alongside her Father and mentor, Dr. Neville Sookra.

Dr. Bozeman enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine especially parasitology, animal behavior, soft tissue surgery, & client communication. 

“Our mission at the Animal Health Clinic is ‘Caring for God’s Creatures’ I truly believe that means pets and people alike! Educating our clients, providing quality medicine with compassionate care and working with our clients to ensure each pet receives the care they deserve is what we strive to do daily. The human animal bond is such a special entity that can only be understood by those who have allowed it to change their hearts – God created it and I believe it’s our responsibility to protect it.”

In her free time Dr. Bozeman enjoys movies, cooking & baking, SEC football “Roll Tide!!” and spending time with her family. 

Dr. Bozeman resides in Bradenton with her husband Jacob, daughter Makayla and their dog, a rescue lab mix named Grady Judd.

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am

1:00 pm

Saturday:

CLOSED

CLOSED

Sunday:

CLOSED

CLOSED

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "Thank you all for your wonderful care of Mau. It means a lot to have a vet's office that I completely trust with my animals. Mau is doing great, but I think he misses all of you!"
    The Redmons / Bradenton, FL
  • "Words can't express how thankful I am for all your love, help and support with Sheba. You are truly special people and it meant a lot to myself and my son."
    Lori - Lakewood Ranch, FL
  • "Thank you so much for caring for Tyler while we were at a funeral... Thank you for a kind and caring heart and standing in the gap for us Bless you all!"
    The Bennett Family - Lakewood Ranch, FL
  • "We wish to thank you for your care & kindness during the loss of our beloved Molly. You provided her wonderful care for 16 yrs! Dr. Sookra saw her the second day I had her and was with her to the end. You all are such a kind, loving family and we are grateful for the care you extend. Thank you so much for all you do! We appreciate you all very much."
    The Stutts Family - Apollo Beach, FL
  • "hank you all for your wonderful care of Mau. It means a lot to have a vet's office that I completely trust with my animals. Mau is doing great, but I think he misses all of you!"
    The Redmons - Bradenton, FL