Our Team — Pawprint & Co. Veterinary Wellness

Dr. Lena Okafor, DVM, DACVIM

Medical Director & Founder

Cornell University CVM (DVM, 2009) • Board-certified in Internal Medicine (ACVIM, 2014) • Special interests: endocrinology, immune-mediated disease, feline medicine

"I chose internal medicine because I love solving puzzles. Every complex case is a mystery, and the patient can't tell you what's wrong — you have to figure it out. That challenge is what gets me out of bed at 5am."

Fun fact: Has two rescue cats named Watson and Crick (yes, after the scientists)

Dr. Anil Patel, DVM

Associate Veterinarian & Surgical Lead

University of Florida CVM (DVM, 2015) • Orthopedic surgery externship at University of Georgia • Special interests: orthopedics, minimally invasive surgery, dental surgery

"Surgery is where preparation meets precision. I spend more time planning a procedure than performing it. That's how you get great outcomes."

Fun fact: Competitive rock climber who says surgery and climbing require the same hand steadiness

Dr. Maria Santos, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Tuskegee University CVM (DVM, 2018) • Fear Free Certified Professional • Special interests: dermatology, behavior, puppy/kitten wellness

"I became a vet because of a hamster named Señor Fluffington who had a skin condition when I was 12. My family vet saved him and I was hooked."

Fun fact: Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese — serves many multilingual pet families

Jamie Crawford, CVT

Lead Veterinary Technician

Valencia College (CVT, 2014) • VTS candidate (Emergency & Critical Care) • 10 years experience, 6 at Pawprint & Co.

"Technicians are the nurses of veterinary medicine. We're in the trenches — placing catheters, monitoring anesthesia, comforting scared animals. It's exhausting and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Fun fact: Fosters kittens year-round. Current count: 47 foster kittens placed in homes

Olivia Tran, CVT

Veterinary Technician

Brevard Community College (CVT, 2019) • Special interest: dental radiography and anesthesia monitoring

Fun fact: Taught her border collie to sort laundry by color

Marcus Johnson

Veterinary Assistant & Client Care

Working toward CVT certification • The first face you see when you walk in

Fun fact: Knows every patient's name and keeps treat preferences in a notebook

Dr. Sarah Kim, DVM

Part-Time Associate (Weekends)

UC Davis CVM (DVM, 2012) • 12 years emergency medicine experience before transitioning to general practice

"After a decade in emergency, I wanted to build relationships with patients over time instead of meeting them on their worst day."

Fun fact: Makes custom pet bandanas and gives them to post-surgery patients

Rebecca Ayala

Practice Manager

15 years veterinary practice management • CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager)

"I make sure the trains run on time so the doctors can focus on medicine. If you have a billing question, scheduling issue, or just need someone to listen — I'm your person."

Fun fact: Has a 22-year-old cockatiel named Gerald who outlived two dogs and a marriage

The Humans Behind the Healing