A South Florida native, Dr. Klimas’ love for animals, like many veterinarians, began at a young age. She spent every summer since she was 16 working at veterinary clinics and volunteering with different organizations from the Miami Seaquarium to wildlife rehabilitation centers. Dr. Klimas earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from the University of Florida in 2008. She then went on to receive her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee in 2012. After graduation she completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland, Florida.
Dr. Klimas originally joined Animal Medical Clinic as Dr. McDougal in 2013. Shortly after moving to Melbourne she met her now husband, Alex Klimas, doing one of her favorite activities, rock climbing. Now you can still find Dr. Klimas and her husband at the local climbing gym, kayaking on Turkey Creek or taking their dogs to the beach in their free time. They have two hound dogs, China and Cooper, and one cat, Phoebe. China is an older retired research dog that Dr. Klimas adopted in veterinary school that still manages to keep up with her younger brother. Cooper is a young rascal shelter dog that was adopted by Alex and who loves joining mom and dad on runs. Phoebe, being quite the senior, enjoys lounging on the couch and watching the dogs wrestle.
“While I have always had a special interest in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, my interest and fascination with internal medicine along with preventative care has grown. Being able to form a relationship with my furry patients and their families over the years is the most invaluable part of my job. Seeing how much priority is placed on building trust and relationships with clients and coworkers is the main reason I joined Animal Medical Clinic.”