Kristen Marie Lester, DVM
Kristen Marie Lester's Credentials
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University (LSU)
Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science (Pre-Vet), Louisiana Tech University
About Kristen Marie Lester
Originally from the beautiful state of Louisiana, my craving for warm weather, delicious food, and friendly people runs deep. I truly believe every meal tastes better with the addition of cheesy grits. In addition to my love of grits, I want to fight cancer and it is an honor to be able to share my knowledge and experiences with others here in hopes that I can serve and help.
I have always wanted to become a veterinarian. My grandfather practiced veterinary medicine for over 50 years, so at an early age I was exposed to the joys and fulfillment this career provides. My favorite part of practicing veterinary medicine is being challenged to seek out the right answers and support clients through good and hard times with their pet.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Louisiana Tech University. From there I was accepted to Louisiana State University where I graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2006. Geaux Tigers! After marrying my husband, Chris, we took a Facebook quiz that determined we should relocate to Charleston, South Carolina. We moved there on a whim. After discovering all of the wonderful benefits of the Carolinas, we made that area home for a little over a decade. Since then, we have relocated to the Tampa Bay area where I am a general practice veterinarian with a special interest in oncology. A typical day includes spays, neuters, dentistry, wellness visits, and dermatology, but it is my cancer cases that provide me the most fulfillment. There is something about taking something that is sad and scary and turning it into a positive experience for both the pet and their owner that brings me joy.
When not working, I enjoy being out in the great outdoors, watching football, taking naps with the pups, and eating delicious food with friends and family. Chris and I share our home with three dogs that we call the “Furballs of Fury” and are the proud guardians of Jeffrey, Pebbles, and Mary Frances. They keep us busy and fill our home with lots of love, funny stories, and dog hair.
My 
Dog
Sue Louise is my heart dog because she inspired my love for treating cancer. We adopted her at the age of 13 when her elderly owner passed away. She was left to the owner's kids and they didn't want her. She was scheduled to be euthanized. Luckily, my veterinary collegue saw that she had life left to live and asked if we could keep her. Sue Louise never looked back!
Four months after adopting Sue, she was diagnosed with a high-grade mast cell tumor that metastasized to her lymph nodes. Sue had surgery, chemotherapy, and maintained on Palladia. She did amazingly well.
I learned so much about cancer during her journey and it inspired me to continue to learn more.
As a side note, years later she needed a pacemaker due to an irregular heartbeat. She was in and out of the hospital in a jiffy. No big deal.
Her favorite joys in life were a toy named Crabcakes and stealing Doritos from my plate.
I aspire to be an old scrappy girl like Sue Louise.
