Sunshine Animal Hospital
  • Monday through Friday
  • 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8 am to 5 pm
  • Closed Sundays & Major Holidays
  • After Hours Emergency? Call: 813-885-7071

  • Dr. Mark Twilla, D.V.M., Owner

    Dr. Twilla is a 1999 Graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.  After completing a one-year internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists Dr. Twilla joined Sunshine Animal Hospital as Associate Veterinarian in 2000.

    In 2016, after many successful years as an Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Twilla, purchased Sunshine Animal Hospital from the original owner and founder, Dr. James Barrie, who is now retired.

    Dr. Twilla's special interests in Veterinary Medicine include cytology, internal medicine and soft tissue surgery.

    When he is not caring for his patients at Sunshine Animal Hospital, Dr. Twilla enjoys spending time with his wife and children.  He also enjoys playing tennis, fishing, hiking and golf and caring for Goldendoodle puppy Louie!
    Years in Practice:
    Apr 07, 2000
    Education:
    Doctorate Veterinary Medicine University of Florida

  • Dr. Allison Bodnar

    Dr. Bodnar is a Tampa native, growing up in South Tampa and attending Tampa Bay Technical High School.  After graduating from the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015, she practice for 3 years in St. Petersburg, Florida  She is an avid Disney fan and can be found there frequently.  At home, she has three manx cats and 3 dogs.  Dentistry and high quality preventative care are her favorite points of practice.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2015
    Education:
    Doctorate Veterinary Medicine-University of Florida
    Interests:
    Bowling, Baking

  • Dr. Alphons VandenBrand

    Dr. Alphons VandenBrand is an independent practitioner serving veterinary clinics like ours, so that we may offer our patients access to a wide variety of specialty surgical services.   Surgeries are performed here at Sunshine Animal Hospital with our staff veterinarians providing pre and post operative care in an environment that our patients and their owners are familiar and comfortable with.


    We are very pleased to have Dr. VandenBrand available for specialty surgical services including Orthopedic surgeries (cruciate surgeries) TTA, MPL w/TTT,  FHO and certain fracture repairs.  He also performs  a variety of soft tissue surgery such splenectomy, hepatic lobectomy, exploratory surgery and gastrotomy/enterotomy/foreign body removal.

    Dr. VandenBrand has been practicing in the greater Tampa Bay Area for over 20 years.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 1994
    Education:
    Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

  • Julie Warshaw, Practice Manager, Owner

    Employed at Sunshine Animal Hospital since 2000, Julie has worked as receptionist, technician, and as Hospital Manager.  In 2016, she and her husband Larry, in partnership with Dr. Twilla purchased Sunshine Animal Hospital.  She has continued her work in her position as Owner-Hospital Manager.

    Her professional career includes working as a Purchasing Manager for a large optical chain, owning and operating a pet store, and working on a cattle ranch.  She is a licensed Real Estate Agent and she and her husband operate their own Real Estate Brokerage, New Horizon Realty.

     When not at Sunshine, or at the barn with her horse, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs and four cats, along with reading and watching professional football and baseball and playing piano.

  • Estela Castillo

    Veterinary Technician

    Estela arrived from Cuba in 2000 where she was a teacher for over 10 years.  She has over 17 years as an animal and veterinary technician.  She is very passionate about her line of work and enjoys building relationships with our customers.

    Estela is recently married.  She likes hockey, music and watching movies with her hubby, Jim.  She has two Shih Tzus, Che and Manny as well as Kiki, the cat.

  • Jennifer Rosado

    Veterinary Technician.
    Jennifer graduated in 2016 from Sanford-Brown College with an Associate in Science and Veterinary Technician Degree in Veterinary Medicine.  She has been a veterinary technician at Sunshine since 2016. 

    When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her children and too-many-to-count fur babies, and going to the gym.
    Education:
    Associates Degree-Veterinary Technology

  • Carlos Santos

    Veterinary Technician

     I was born and raised in Puerto Rico where I practiced as a veterinary technician for the past 20 years. I enjoy providing animals with the care they need and helping clients with their pets. I also enjoy learning something new every day. When I am not working, I enjoy working out, spending time at the beach or outdoors with my wife and with my pets.


    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2001

  • Kirena Snyders

    Veterinary Technician

    I graduated a veterinary medicine program in 2016 in Maryland. I have experience with exotic animals, animal research, private practice, and shelter medicine. I moved to Florida almost two years ago to be closer with my dad. I moved with 1 dog and 2 cats and then ended up adopting 2 more cats and another dog since I’ve been living here. In the future my goal is to own a sanctuary to help animals in need. 
    Years in Practice:
    May 06, 2020
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    Alicia Valverde

    Certified Veterinary Technician Assistant.

    Alicia started her journey with Sunshine Animal Hospital back in 2012, working unpaid in-service hours toward becoming a Certified Veterinary Assistant.  She completed that program through her local high school and was then hired as a Kennel Technician.  She worked in the kennel for a couple of years and was then promoted to Veterinary Technician Assistant and then to Veterinary Technician.

    Alicia loves all animals.  She is the proud owner of 2 dogs and 3 cats and hopes to one day become a veterinarian. 
    Education:
    Currently a student at HCC

  • Ashley Infante

    Technician Assistant

    I was born and raised in Miami, and moved to Tampa in 2020.  I started as a Kennel Technician at in the Spring of 2021 and am now a full time veterinary technician-assistant.  I hope to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.  I speak English and Spanish fluently and in my free time I enjoy taking care of my 3 fur babies and studying Veterinary Medicine. 
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 30, 2021

  • Ava Fernandez

    Technician Assistant

    I graduated from Steinbrenner High School with my Certified Veterinary Assistant license in May of 2022. I began working un-paid service hours at Sunshine Animal Hospital in January 2022 and started working once I obtained my license. I am currently a student at University of South Florida, studying animal biology. I am working toward my dream of becoming a veterinarian. I have 5 pets: two horses, two dogs, and a rabbit. In my free time, I enjoy riding my horse, baking, and spending time with my family. I grew up with a natural love for animals and caring for them, but my favorite part of my job is educating and helping clients with their pets.

    Years in Practice:
    Jun 29, 2022

  • Camila DeArmas

    Customer Care Team

    Camila is a former employee, who left us for a year or two, but just was not able to stay away, and so, she is back, full time, on our reception desk helping clients on the phone and in the Lobby, and generally making sure everyone is taken care of.  Photo to follow
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 30, 2021

  • Shannon Flaherty

    Customer Care Team


    Shannon was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana, and has since slowly moved her way down south. After moving from Indiana, she spent 14 years in a town near Cincinnati, where she made her dream of working with animals come true. In 2011 Shannon graduated from Brown Mackle College with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology. For the next 4 years she worked at a 3 Doctor small animal hospital in Kentucky. Finally Shannon moved to Florida with her 3 cats Captain, Dexter and Tinsel. In her free time you can find her lounging by the pool,playing fetch with Dexter and Tinsel , baking and crafting, or even napping with her kitties on the couch. 

     

  • Sandy Goldman

    Customer Care Team

    Sandy is a graduate of the Ohio State University School of Nursing.  She specialized in oncology nursing, but spent the last 10 years working for various assisted living communities.  She retired 3 years ago, but realized that she was bored, so now she joins the Sunshine Team in support part-time at the front desk.  She is the owner of 2 rescue dogs and a horse (a beautiful but opinionated mare, named Relevet).  She tell us she is grateful for the opportunity to work at Sunshine, and we tell her her are grateful she is here!  She is a caring professional and we are lucky to have her!
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 30, 2021

  • Carmen Colon

    Customer Care Team

    Carmen has over 20 years of bilingual customer service experience.  She is married and has seven children, a son-In-law, daughter In-law & two grandchildren.  She is a proud grandma of Leyla her black lab.  Carmen possesses excellent client service skills and is a valued member of our Sunshine Team! 
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 30, 2021

  • Kiara Alvarez

    Customer Care Team

    Kiara was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and is the youngest addition to the team fresh out of high school! Kiara recently graduated as a piano major from Blake High School and is now on her way to HCC. She’s a first generation Cuban American and dreams of becoming a veterinarian herself just like her grandpa one day. For now, she’s a valued member of our reception staff.   She’s doing her best to be a great one and treats clients with a smile. Kiara has two pets, a sweet rat terrier named Bloom and a crazy chihuahua yorkie named Luna. In her free time, she loves to make music and spend time with her friends and family.
    Years in Practice:
    Jun 29, 2022

  • Shannon Pothoven

    Kennel Technician

    Shannon comes to us through Project Hope and she is an important part of our Kennel staff.   Her responsibilities include care of the pets in boarding kennel and hospital, making sure everyone is fed, watered, exercised and comfortable. She also works hard to keep the exam rooms and lobby clean. She is patient and kind-hearted and is a great worker.  We are glad to have her on our Team.
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 30, 2021

  • Shawn Salyers

    Kennel Technician - Kennel Team Leader

    I've been with Sunshine Animal Hospital since February of 2017.  I've worked as a Kennel Technician at various clinics across central Florida since 2007.

    In 2006, after working for 8 years at the Delphi Break Plant in Ohio, I got a chance to move to Florida with my girlfriend.  That gave me the chance for a fresh start at my career!  In March of 2007, I got the opportunity to start as a Kennel tech at Timberlane Animal Hospital in Tallahassee and I haven't looked back since!

    My wife, Jessica and I have now been married since Halloween of 2015. We live in Town and Country with our 2 dogs, Renee, our French Bulldog and our new chihuahua puppy.   Rounding out the group is our chinchilla Munzy and two cats Pola and Shatze.

    I couldn't love taking care of your animals more, here at Sunshine Animal Hospital.


  • Marlyn Matos-Crespo

    Kennel Technician

    I graduated from PPG College-Vet Tech Assistant program in 2018.  I then moved to Tampa.  I started at Sunshine Animal Hospital in the fall of 2021.  I love being part of such a great team.  In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, Hershey.
    Years in Practice:
    Aug 17, 2022