Meet Our
Veterinary Team in
Defuniak Springs, FL

Meredith Davis

I originally started with Walton County Animal Clinic back in 2007. I worked as a veterinary technician for most of the time, but for my last three years of that span, I was a receptionist. In 2020, I chose to leave my job to have more time with my family. Three years have passed, and I am so thrilled to be starting back working part-time with the same wonderful clinic!

I have always loved animals. We have had dogs since I was little, and after moving to Georgia from New Orleans in 1993, I spent most days at the farm with my horse. I also worked as a vet tech while living in Georgia.

I am married to Justin, a wildlife biologist, and we have been married since 2012. We have 2 daughters, and of course… one loves dogs, and one loves cats. So, we have 2 cats and 2 dogs! Tango and Moose are the canines, KiKi and Pete are the felines- and the four of them rule the house!

A big part of happiness, for me, has always been about being able to work around animals. I am very fortunate and grateful to be able to do so once again, I find it hard to imagine working a different kind of job! Other things I enjoy are spending time with my family, going to the beach, going out to eat, mostly just enjoying watching our kids grow.

Mallory Loftus

I joined Walton County Animal Clinic in August 2022. I grew up on a farm in small-town Iowa and have always had a deep love for animals.

It is such a rewarding job to be able to help animals on a daily basis. I can’t imagine a better team to work alongside than the one at Walton County Animal Clinic.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, Jake, and our chocolate lab, Waylon. I love being outdoors, fishing, and visiting nearby beaches and springs.

Edward (Rino) Williams

Veterinary Technician

Being new to the veterinary field, I can already say I love the field and the difference my doctors and co-workers make in the day-to-day lives of animals and their owners.

After serving four years in the U.S. Army, I entered this field and plan to continue my education further. Being a resident of DeFuniak my whole life, I can say I love all the staff here at Walton County Animal Clinic. Everyone does their absolute best for every animal.

Outside of work, I spend my time taking care of my own animal family.

Susan Mckenna

Veterinary Technician

I have been a veterinary technician for three years and am attending St. Petersburg College for veterinary technology. My goal is to become a certified veterinary technician.

Outside of work, I spend time gardening and hanging out with my three cats, Tom, Ham, and Fish.

Shea Townsend

Veterinary Technician

This is my first year with Walton County Animal Clinic. I am originally from Margaret, Alabama. I graduated from Huntingdon College with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. I have three dogs and really enjoy working as a veterinary technician to help care for other people’s furry family members.

Ivana Fore

Veterinary Technician

I have been a veterinary technician for over 20 years. I now work as a veterinary receptionist three days a week and an American Sign Language Interpreter two days a week.

I love working at Walton County Animal Clinic and helping our deaf clients with appointments. The doctors and staff work wonderfully together and show tremendous teamwork and dedication.

My free time is spent growing our small farm and garden with my husband and two daughters.

Whitney Donaldson

Veterinary Technician

I am a Veterinary Technician, having worked in the veterinary industry for nine years prior to joining the Walton County Animal Clinic team in March 2020. Originally from Niceville, we relocated to Defuniak Springs in 2018.

I love being a Veterinary Technician and helping make a difference in animals’ lives. It is the most satisfying job being able to help animals and help educate pet parents, allowing for the best and healthiest life possible for the animals.

I have really enjoyed working at Walton County Animal Clinic. Everyone is like a close family unit. They are all positive and encouraging, which makes for a rewarding and enjoyable work environment.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and animals.

Stephanie Dennison

Veterinary Technician

I have worked in the animal field for 13 years and with the Walton County Animal Clinic as a full-time Veterinary Technician since April 2013. I attended St. Petersburg College for Veterinary Technology. I have always wanted to work with animals from the time I can remember, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

I have seven dogs, ages ranging from 6 to 12 years. When not at the clinic, I love spending time with my family and playing outside with my daughter.

Melinda “Mindy” Cuchens

Veterinary Technician

I began working as a part-time Veterinary Technician at Walton County Animal Clinic in 2015 and moved to full-time in 2018. Prior to WCAC, I worked predominantly in emergency veterinary medicine. I assist Dr. Blackwood at the Walton County Animal Shelter every Wednesday.

We have a crew at home: Jill, a 15-year-old chihuahua; Peach, a 7-year-old mix; Coco, a 3-year-old Dachshund; Biscuit, a 1-year-old mix; Ariel, 5-year-old Calico; and Willie, 1-year-old Sphynx.

When not at the clinic, I am usually cheering on my kids (football and soccer). I also enjoy reading and cleaning in my free time.

Walton County Animal Clinic quickly became my home. I love my co-workers and our fierce leaders! I am proud to work at Walton County Animal Clinic!

Karen McClamma

Veterinary Receptionist

I have been working at Walton County Animal Clinic for over 20 years. Needless to say, I have a passion for animals. We have a great team and take animal health care seriously – clients and our own.

I have two rescue pups and four rescue cats. They run the house and are the best entertainment. Outside of work, I enjoy being outside, enjoying nature, fishing, reading, and being with my family. These are my favorite things to do!

Jared Byrd

Practice Manager

I have been with Walton County Animal Clinic for over 21 years! I started as a kennel tech in high school and moved up to vet tech and lead vet tech. Growing up in Walton County, I was very active in our local 4-H program, showing horses and cattle. I grew up on a farm and have always wanted to be in the veterinary field, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to do so. Taking care of animals and helping people take care of their family members has been a great pleasure, one I look forward to continuing.

When not at the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our three children at the little league field during ball season or at a golf course. Golf is a hobby I have picked up that gives me time outside, and I have found it to be very enjoyable. Over the years, I have had several pets. Our current fur babies are Jack, an 11-year-old lab mix, and Jill, a 5-year-old golden mix.

Connie Halford

Administrative Assistant

I joined the team at Walton County Animal Clinic 26 years ago. Wow, how time flies! My love of animals made this career a perfect fit for me.

I am blessed to work alongside the best of the best in this animal industry. We are family, each always there to help every furry friend that comes through our door. Everyone strives to make our clients feel at ease about the care their pets will receive and that they are treated as if they are our own.

When I am not at work, my husband and I enjoy our farm life, spending time with family, going to any activity that involves our five granddaughters, and last but not least, spending time with our spoiled Frenchie, LuLu.

Kaycie Miller D.V.M.

Veterinarian

Dr. Miller is originally from Panama City, Florida. She attended the University of Florida and graduated in 2019 with a BS in Animal Sciences and minor in Management and Sales in Agribusiness. She loved her time in The Swamp so much, that she stayed on for veterinary school and earned “Double Gator” status upon completion of her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

In veterinary school, Dr. Miller was exceptionally active in all facets of student life, serving her peers as leadership for clubs like: Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA), Society for Theriogenology (SFT), Student Chapter of the American Associate for Equine Practitioners (AAEP), Student Chapter of the American Associate for Bovine Practitioners (AABP), and completed additional training in veterinary business management (VBMA).

Prior to her time as a small animal veterinarian, Dr. Miller worked as a large animal veterinarian, specializing in equine, bovine and hoofstock. She has worked relief and emergency services for a multitude of small animal clinics spanning the coast of Florida, and finally decided to call DeFuniak Springs home in November of 2023.

Her special interests still include: large animal medicine, small animal surgery and wound management and emergency/urgent care.

In her freetime, Dr. Miller enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, and is an avid runner, hiker and world-explorer. She can often be found in the gym, on a beach, or unreachable in a mountain range. 

Jaimee Bumgarner D.V.M.

Veterinarian

Dr. Bumgarner is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. She graduated from Mississippi College in 2009 Cum Laude with a BS in Biology. In 2014, she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

During veterinary school, Dr. Bumgarner served as president of the Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine & the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and as a Philanthropist for the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

In addition to an externship with a specialist referral center in West Palm Beach, Dr. Bumgarner has worked as an on-call emergency lab technician & attended advanced clinical rotations in dermatology, surgery, and clinical pathology. Her special interests include surgery, wound management, and internal medicine. She is an active member of several organizations, including AVMA, FVMA, AAHA, AAFP, NWFVMA & MSVMS.

Dr. Bumgarner loves working alongside the amazing staff at Walton County Animal Clinic and enjoys meeting all of the wonderful clients and pets that come into the clinic. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys going to the beach, fishing, music, traveling, and spending time with her four awesome kitties.

Ritchie Blackwood

Co-owner, Pet Dental Hygienist

Dr. Blackwood and I purchased Walton County Animal Clinic in 1985. I worked full-time as our Office Manager and Veterinary Assistant until 1998 when I resumed teaching school. I returned to the clinic part-time in 2006 after completing coursework in veterinary dental hygiene and continue working at the clinic in this capacity. In 2012, Dr. Blackwood and I started the Animal Sterilization Assistance Program (A.S.A.P.) of Walton County, which helps clients financially with spaying and neutering in our community.

We have five dogs: Ruby, Sugar, Pippa, and Effie, our 9-year-old chihuahua/dachshund mixes. Spike is our four-year-old bulldog. My free time is spent doing farm work (clearing fences, bush hogging, and feeding wild deer and turkey). My hobbies are painting pet portraits, furniture refinishing, running, and taking “Spike” on walks at the farm.

We have the best, most well-trained team at Walton County Animal Clinic. It is a pleasure to work with them to help pets and clients in the DeFuniak Springs community.

Jack L. Blackwood, Jr., D.V.M.

Co-owner, Veterinarian

Dr. Blackwood, a native of Birmingham, AL, graduated from Auburn University, where he earned his veterinary degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in 1982.

The 2018 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Jack L. Blackwood, Jr. on April 6 by the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Blackwood was honored for his service to the profession. In addition to owning and operating the Walton County Animal Clinic since 1985, he was also one of the founders of the Okaloosa-Walton Veterinary Emergency Clinic, where he served as president of the Board for many years. Dr. Blackwood was the first veterinarian employed by the Walton County Animal Shelter, established in 2009. He worked for the shelter part-time while also running his general practice in DeFuniak Springs. Within the first five years of working for the shelter, Dr. Blackwood sterilized more than 5,000 pets and continues to provide medical care and perform surgeries at the shelter to this day.

In August 2012, Dr. Blackwood, with the help of his wife Ritchie, launched The Animal Sterilization Assistance Program (A.S.A.P.) of Walton County. This program was born out of the desire to help in the prevention of unwanted and uncared-for pets ending up in overcrowded animal shelters. Since its inception, the program has helped more than 1,800 family pets. Dr. Blackwood strives to help the pets in his community, whether at his personal practice, the local shelter, or by providing a reduced-rate sterilization program.

Dr. Blackwood, his wife, Ritchie, daughters Kellie and Mollie, and numerous pets have called DeFuniak Springs home for the past thirty-four years. The Blackwood family is a member of The First Presbyterian Church of DeFuniak Springs.

In his spare time, Dr. Blackwood enjoys spending time with his family at the farm, including ‘fixing things’ and playing with the welder. He also is an avid SCUBA diver.

Dr. Blackwood’s love for the animals he treats and his desire to improve veterinary medicine for his town has sent him to numerous continuing education seminars. Some of these seminars include pet dentistry, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmic surgery, canine and feline diagnostics, and current treatments.