Our Staff

Darlene Rivera, C.V.T. - Practice Manager

Darlene is the “go-to” manager for all employees. As hospital administrator for 2 hospitals, Darlene is responsible for all aspects of the business including staff, clients, patient care, inventory, technical support, hospital maintenance, and so much more. Without an honest, dedicated, organized and loyal employee like Darlene, the hospital would surely suffer.

Darlene grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania but moved to Florida when she was 13. She has always loved animals, but found her true calling when she was 17 and volunteered at a veterinary office. Soon after she was hired by that practice as a kennel assistant. For the next 14 years, Darlene worked as a receptionist, technician, and then office manager. In 2006, while continuing to work full time, Darlene decided to go back to school to earn her Associate in Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. Having graduated in 2009, we are very proud to have a licensed Certified Veterinary Technician on our team. Darlene has worked with Dr. Blackburn since 2001, and her diverse knowledge of the profession, her experience, and her drive and dedication make her an essential part of the veterinary team.

Darlene lives in Keystone Heights with her husband, William, and their two girls, Marissa and Mia. Darlene spends most of her free time helping her daughters with their sports and academics. She also enjoys working out with her daughters at the local gym and taking beach trips to St. Augustine with her family.

Sam - Lead Veterinary Technician / Manager

Sam is a Florida native and has lived in Putnam County her entire life.  Working with animals has always been a dream of hers.  In 2009, Sam was eager to enter the veterinary field and took a position as a cleaner at a local animal hospital.  Her strong work ethic and dedication were immediately evident and she soon began training for a technician position.  Sam has a unique ability to understand and relate to animals which makes her an excellent technician.  She instinctively knows how to keep an animal calm during times of stress and has a gentle nature even with our feisty feline friends.  Although she only recently joined the Keystone Heights Animal Hospital team in June 2013, she has worked with Dr. Blackburn since 2009. 

Sam lives with her husband Mike, her daughter Claudia, and her son Adam.  Like most veterinary technicians, Sam's love and compassion for animals carries over into her own home.  In addition to fostering needy animals for the S.P.C.A. of North Florida, her permanent family includes 8 dogs, 8 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 2 goats, 1 potbelly pig, 15 chickens and fish.  On her days off, when she isn't tending to her own animals, Sam enjoys spending time with her kids, working outside with her flowers and plants, and watching Gator football.

Brianna - Veterinary Technician

Brianna is a Florida native and grew up in the Gainesville area. Brianna obtained her Associates of Science in Veterinary Technology from City College and has been working with animals ever since. Brianna has worked in internal medicine, oncology, and even emergency medicine. She has been with Keystone Heights Animal Hospital since 2021 and considers it home.

Outside of work, Brianna loves spending time on the boat or at Disney with her husband, Cameron, and their daughter, Aniston. Brianna has one dog of her own, Bahia, who is a 7 year old Catahoula/Plott Hound mix.

Laikyn - Veterinary Technician

Laikyn is originally from Tavares, Florida but grew up in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee. She made her way back to Keystone Heights, Florida 2 years ago where she lives happily with her dog, Ryland and her 2 year old son, Tiller. Four years ago Laikyn began her career in veterinary medicine where she began as an assistant and then worked her way up to be a technician. Veterinary medicine runs in Laikyn’s family – she and her sister are both technicians. In Laikyn’s free time she enjoys going to the beach and shopping.

Cait - Veterinary Assistant

Cait has lived in Keystone her whole life. She graduated from Keystone Heights High School in 2021 with a certificate from the National Society of High School Scholars. After graduating she wanted to follow her dreams of working in veterinary field. Cait is one of our veterinary assistants. She has a 9-month-old son named Kaison with her high school sweetheart and a 2-year-old pug named Sadie Mae. Cait has grown up around several types of animals at her Nanas farm. She absolutely loves her job. Cait comes in with a smile, great attitude every day and says she absolutely loves her job. She spends her free time with her son shopping and spending time with family.

Candy - Receptionist & Public Relations

Candy grew up in Jacksonville living near NAS Jax since her dad was a Chief in the Navy. After high school Candy moved to the Gainesville area and worked for 18 years at Gainesville Eye Clinic before having her two daughters. Candy is also a former co-owner of a veterinary practice and has over 30 years of veterinary care experience, 13 of those years have been spent working with Dr. Blackburn. Whether she’s working in the front office greeting clients or working in the back taking care of animals, Candy is happy to be a part of the Keystone Heights Animal Hospital team and looks forward to meeting you and your four legged family members.

Candy lives in Putnam County with her two daughters and many pets. On her days off, she enjoys being outside and loves anything to do with the water, beach and boating. 

Debbie - Receptionist

Debbie is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and has lived in Florida since the mid 1990's. She is a lover of critters of all kinds. Debbie has worked  with everything from Key deer to cats. Currently she has 8 cats, 4 dogs, hermit crabs and some fish in her household. Debbie's favorite thing to do is hanging with the family and soaking up rays at the beach. 

Kaitlyn - Receptionist

Kaitlyn grew up in Fort white, around farm animals and did a lot of barrel racing and competing in different style horse competitions. Kaitlyn has been working for Keystone Heights Animal Hospital as a receptionist since 2016 and loves being involved with the animal care. Kaitlyn lives in Melrose with her husband Billy, and their two children. They spend most of their free time going to theme parks and the beach or just traveling to new places.  

Mj - Receptionist

Mj has lived in Keystone Heights most of her life and is finishing her senior year at Keystone Heights High School while being Dual enrolled at Sante Fe College. She is pursuing her degree in nursing while working part time as a receptionist. She has been one of our receptionist since 2020 and always has a smile on her face, ready to welcome clients. Her favorite part of the job is meeting new people everyday and talking to clients about their pets.

Mj has a Golden Retriever named Theodore and loves taking him to the dog park and hiking at Goldhead State park.