Our Veterinary Anesthesiologists

A native of south Florida, Dr. Gatson received a degree in Zoology from the University of Florida in 2007. She then pursued her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida and graduated in 2011. After completing a small animal rotating internship at Tufts University in North Grafton, MA in 2012, she returned to the University of Florida and completed a residency in anesthesia and pain management in 2015. Dr. Gatson became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2016. After completing her residency, Dr. Gatson taught anesthesiology as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida until 2021. In order to expand her level of care for veterinary patients, Dr. Gatson became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner in 2024 with advanced knowledge in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and acupuncture.

Dr. Gatson enjoys advanced anesthesia and pain management, including the use of locoregional techniques such as nerve blocks to minimize the amount of pain medication required to keep pets comfortable after surgical procedures. As an educator for many years, Dr. Gatson also enjoys teaching veterinary practitioners in all aspects of anesthesia and pain management. She is the founder of Safe Harbor Anesthesia Support, with the goal of providing direct high-quality anesthetic care to animals nationwide.

Dr. Kerrie Lewis is a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist with expertise in respiratory physiology and exotic animal anesthesia. A proud graduate of  The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lewis has cultivated a rich, diverse career that spans continents and institutions. She has held teaching and clinical positions at Massey University in New Zealand, the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, and the University of Florida, gaining invaluable experience across varied hospital settings, species, and cultural perspectives. Currently, Dr. Lewis serves as Medical Director of Pebble Beach Animal Hospital and was awarded Veterinarian of the Year in the Tampa Bay region in 2026. Outside the hospital, Dr. Lewis finds balance and joy in a quieter, nurturing home life with her son, Redford, and their two beloved cats, Deedee and Peepers—who are firmly convinced they run the household.  

Dr. Kristen Messenger is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Board-Certified Specialist in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her DVM at NC State University and an internship in emergency and critical care at Louisville Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Services in Kentucky. Her residencies in Anesthesiology and Clinical Pharmacology were both completed at NC State University, where she worked for many years before recently moving to Southwest Virginia. Dr. Messenger has published over 60 peer reviewed manuscripts and has received numerous teaching awards during her career. She is especially interested in pain management and loves all things anesthesia and pharmacology. Outside of work, she spends her time riding, gardening, cooking, and being outdoors. 

Suzanne grew up in upstate New York in the Finger Lakes area and attended The Ohio State University for chemical engineering However, she quickly realized that her passion was in veterinary medicine. After achieving her veterinary technician degree, she began her career at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital as an equine surgery technician. In 2006, she moved to the anesthesia department and achieved her VTS in Anesthesia in 2012. In 2014, she became the anesthesia technician supervisor at Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medical Center. Teaching anesthesia and all associated with it is her true passion.

In her free time, Suzanne trains and shows ranch horses while running her small cattle ranch with her husband and 2 border collies. She has 3 adult children and 4 grandsons that are the light of her world!