Dr. James H Block – Director Knowles Animal Clinic Snapper Creek

Dr. James H. Block went to undergraduate school at the University of Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor in Science in 1968 and 1970. He continued on to Veterinary school at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1972.

Dr. Block has been involved in many organizations including the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association where he was president in 1991. Also, The Rotary International for 25 years where he was club president in 1985. For ten year, Dr. Block served on the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees for the Zoological Society of Florida. He is currently a member of the AVMA and the FVMA/SFVMA, the American Heartworm Society as well as the Emergency and Critical Care Society.

Dr. Block’s prior experience to Veterinary school includes working with Dr. LA Dykstra at a private practice and Dr. George Muller, a dermatology specialty practice in Walnut Creek, CA.

His licenses include Illinois and Florida State Veterinary Licenses.

Dr. Block has a special interest in Internal medicine. He has been recognized in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, the Young Men of America, and Who’s Who in Veterinary Medicine and Science.

Dr. Cristina A. Maristany

Dr. Cristina A. Maristany was born and raised in Miami, Florida and began her love for animals and her thirst for knowledge at Knowles Animal Clinic as a young client and then as a technician during her high school years. She studied Biology at the University of Miami and later obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Maristany also studied at The Chi Institute to become a certified veterinary acupuncturist under Dr. Xie, who currently runs the acupuncture service at the University of Florida.

As a client in the late 80’s Cristina was inspired to study veterinary medicine while accompanying her mother to the clinic with Duke, a very sick cocker spaniel whom was loved by all the staff as well as her family. Knowles Animal Clinic gained a tremendous wealth of knowledge as a result of Duke’s rare disease. As a result of her family’s consistent supportive care combined with further veterinary research we now know how to treat other pets with similar diseases.

Dr. Maristany is a member of the AVMA, FVMA and is certified with the USDA enabling her to authorize animal health certificates for your travel needs.

Her interests include small animal acupuncture, medicine and behavior.

Dr. Maristany enjoys spending time with her family and pets (Dolby – a Labrador/Golden Retriever mix, and two cats Reeco and Roxy). She and Dolby have also recently obtained certification to provide compassionate pet therapy to different hospitals and individuals in need.

Dr. LaShonn Lynette McNair

Dr. LaShonn Lynette McNair entered an early enrolment program to begin undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. During her matriculation she was a part of a devout research team at The University Medical Center in Jackson Mississippi. Upon graduation she entered Cornell University, College of Veterinary medicine where she acquired her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2004.

Dr. McNair went on to complete a medical, surgical, and emergency practice internship with Veterinary Specialists of Rochester/Animal Emergency Service/ Animal Hospital of Pittsford in New York from 2004-2005. She then joined the practice of Knowles Animal Clinics in October 2005.

While completing her degree, Dr. McNair was actively a member of Students Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS), Zoo and Wildlife Services (ZAWS), American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Student Chapter (SCAASV), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and many other organizations. She was founder and co-president of Veterinary Students for the Promotion of Socio-cultural Awareness (VSPSA). She manned the Cornell Pet Loss Support Hotline, and visited hospice care facilities as a member of Cornell Companions. She also joined Omega Tau Sigma Veterinary Fraternity. Dr. McNair earned the Miller’s Award for Scholastic Achievement her graduation year. She is currently a member and proud supporter of Defenders for Wildlife, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of United States, the Zoological Society of Florida, and this year also joined the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA).

Dr. McNair’s talents are in surgery, medicine, and critical/emergency care with special interest in dermatological ailments and general pathology.

Dr. Tracy Scola

Dr. Tracy Scola is a 2000 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She has enjoyed working in the veterinary field, especially emergency clinic, since 1990. She received the Howard Hughes Honors Biology Student Scholarship to the University of Illinois at Chicago, and graduated with a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. During this time she co-founded the Biology Colloquium, a credited student run course at the University. Previous to vet school, Tracy enjoyed a job at the Field Museum Research Studies in Chicago. After graduating from Ross, Dr. Scola continued her education with an additional year of training in oncology and emergency medicine in Va. which she utilized by working in emergency and critical care for the police and service dogs in VA. She then shared that knowledge at emergency clinics in San Diego and Monterey, CA. while volunteering at Shelters and at the San Diego Zoo. Dr. Scola’s passion for emergency and critical care for working Police and Military dogs brought her to Miami and Knowles Animal Clinics in 2006. Her other medical interests are in the challenge of internal medicine and oncology and according her clients and staff, Dr. Scola has evolved into a brilliant surgeon.

When she is not working, Dr. Tracy Scola is chasing her twin boys and darling daughter along with her busy military husband, many dogs, cats and lots of pampered wildlife on her property.