Dr. Lauren Schlater was born into a family of animal lovers, and she has never been without furry family members. Her passion for animals is matched by her love of learning, and this has allowed her to achieve her dream of becoming a board certified veterinary cardiologist.
Dr. Schlater graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, after which she attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a one year rotating internship at the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, followed by a three-year veterinary cardiology residency program at Colorado State University. Dr. Schlater then practiced for two years at the VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle before she and her husband returned to her home state of Florida to be closer to family.
Dr. Schlater discovered her passion for cardiology after she adopted her pit bull mix, Lily Blue, while she was in vet school. Lily was rescued from the side of the road when she was a puppy, and it was soon discovered that she had a serious heart defect. She underwent two cardiac procedures before she was a year old, but now Lily is a spunky 10-year-old who doesn’t let her heart disease slow her down. While in her residency, Dr. Schlater met her wonderful husband Eli after he adopted a puppy who had the same type of heart defect as Lily. That puppy eventually became their 85-pound “lap” dog, Leo.
In her free time Dr. Schlater enjoys hiking and kayaking with Eli, crocheting, reading, and especially spending time with the three dogs (in addition to Lily and Leo, they have a border collie mix named Lola) and their cat (Mr. Minou).