About

Casandra moved to Eustis in 2009 to join the team at Tavares Animal Hospital after graduating from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Soon after joining the team, she became a partner in the practice. After working closely for several years with Richard and Celia Thompson, her mentors and the original owners of the practice, she became full owner of Tavares Animal Hospital in October 2014. Casandra’s family at home consists of her daughter Amelia, and her son Henry. Her pet family is made up of cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles. She has extensive personal experience with several exotic species including snakes, tortoises, prairie dogs, veiled chameleons, and rabbits. In addition to her personal experience, she has taken many educational courses pertaining to these exotics and small mammals. This has allowed her to add a new dimension to the care provided at TAH.

Dr. Ness was born and raised in Northwestern Pennsylvania, but has lived in Florida for most of her life. She attended the University of South Florida for her B.S. in Biology, and graduated with a DVM from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Having lived all over the country, she is excited to finally settle down back in Florida near friends and family. In her free time, she loves baking, art and DIY projects, snowboarding, and hiking. Dr. Ness and husband, Jon, have one mixed breed dog, Olive, and two cats, Juno and Finn.