Meet Our Team
The Paws and Claws team is dedicated to making every visit a personalized, educational experience for pet parents in Dunedin. Get to know our team, including our amazing veterinarian, by reading their bios below! And if you want to meet them in person, call us at (727) 953-6588 to make an appointment.
Dr. Cindy Culpepper Practice Owner, Veterinarian
Dr. Culpepper received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in 2002, and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University in 2006. Immediately after graduation she spent some time working at Bienville Animal Medical Center, a multi-veterinarian practice in Ocean Springs, MS. Dr. Culpepper is a native of Dunedin, and she returned to Florida to practice veterinary medicine in 2010. After being an associate veterinarian at the Animal and Bird Hospital in Clearwater for eight years, she decided to open her own practice. In September 2018, Paws and Claws Animal Medical Center, a “mom and pop”-style practice, was born.
Dr. Culpepper enjoys the challenges of general practice, imaging, soft tissue surgeries, and internal medicine. She also enjoys the relationships she shares with her many wonderful patients and their human family members. Dr. Culpepper and her husband Jonathan have two daughters and many furry family members too, including two dogs, Izzy Belle and Ella Mae; two cats, Tonks and Willy; four guinea pigs, and fish!
Dr. Culpepper is a member of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, the Dunedin Downtown Merchants Association (DDMA), the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), and Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Association (PCVMA).
Erin Head Receptionist, Technician
Erin is a graduate of St. Petersburg College and a full-time veterinary technician here at Paws and Claws. She was born in Atlanta, GA and moved to Clearwater, FL when she was five. Her love for animals started with her family’s cat, Mr. Chicken, and her life working with animals started when she took the opportunity to foster kittens as a young girl for Save Our Strays. The gratification she felt when placing a kitten with a loving family sparked her interest in pursuing a career that involved caring for animals.
At 15, Erin applied to work at a boarding facility where she spent the next 10 years. She has also worked in local animal hospitals, gaining professional knowledge in caring for cats, dogs, and exotic animals. She has been a technician, head receptionist, and kennel technician. Paws and Claws is a place that Erin is happy to call home, because she is able to express her love for and interest in animals while working with some of the best people in the business.
Erin’s pet family includes two cats and four dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active and furthering her education in veterinary science.
Briea Veterinary Technician
I've worked in the vet field for 9 years now. I was born in Polk county florida where I grew up playing softball and showing live stock for about 6 years from cows, chickens and pigs. My first vet job was a clinic where my parents first met and then got married. There I started as a kennel technician and worked my way up to a technician. I recently moved to St. Pete with my partner and we have 3 Aussies Murray, Rue, and Jewls and my morkie named Brighten. My passion is ortho after care with rehabilitation pets. I am certified in K taping. Long term goal would go to vet school and work with large animals. Free time I go on long rides with my girlfriend Sam and our friends on motorcycles or we go to down town with the dogs.
Cassie Veterinary Technician/Nurse
Cassie wears many hats here at Paws and Claws. She does our daily medical follow ups as well as working as a part time nurse. Cassie was born in Sanford Florida, but lived in a small town in Indiana for most of her life. In middle school, Cassie took many courses on Pre-Vet and Marine Biology, she knew she was going to have a future working with animals. During her time in Indiana she worked at a local small animal Veterinary clinic in high school as a kennel technician/Veterinary Assistant. She spent nearly 3 years here learning many technical skills as well as starting her own business “Critter Sitter”. In 2018, Cassie and her now husband moved to Clearwater where they have 2 dogs, Brody and Hemi, and 2 cats, Ace and Gizmo. They love to spend time in nature and enjoy traveling as much as possible.
Cassie worked as a pet groomer in Dunedin before finding her passion was still in Veterinary Medicine and wants to further her knowledge and skills while still running her own pet care business full time.
Heidi Veterinary Technician
I have learned so much from the veterinary field and I have been in it for 27 years! Exotic and pocket pets are my passion! I live in Dunedin and have four dogs, four cats, four chickens, eight doves, one pigeon, one rat and a squirrel! I love photography, gardening, running, wildlife, and rehab work. I enjoy each day and love the babies and families that I get to help each day.
Kirsten Receptionist
Kirsten recently moved to Florida from her home town of Montpelier, Vermont. She graduated from Becker College in Leicester, Massachusetts, where she got her Associates degree in Animal Care. From there she worked at a dog daycare/boarding facility and then two veterinary hospitals. She enjoys being with family, hanging out on the beach and spending time her cat, Izzy, and dog, Arnold.
Laura Head Receptionist
Laura is originally from Massachusetts and moved to Florida about ten years ago. She has been in the vet field for six years, primarily in emergency medicine. She enjoys working with exotics and reptiles. She has three cats and one dog, who she loves dearly.
What People Say About Us
"We are so grateful to Paws and Claws, especially, Dr. Culpepper and her entire awesome staff for their kind, compassionate, conscientious and professional care they always give."
- Betty K.