Expert Care with a Gentle Touch
We make every visit feel like home.
Our Story
Burns Court Veterinary Care all started with a love for animals. Our team of highly skilled individuals, with diverse backgrounds in the veterinary field, came together to create a primary care experience that goes above and beyond for our own pets and patients alike.
At Burns Court Veterinary Care, your pet is our top priority. We are dedicated to providing expert care with a gentle touch, ensuring that even the most daunting moments are not so frightening. We understand the anxiety that can come with veterinary visits, both for pets and their owners. That's why we focus on creating a comforting environment and using fear-free techniques to alleviate stress and promote a positive experience.
Dr. Hamilton, our esteemed veterinarian, is at the forefront of refining the Fear Free® movement. With a deep understanding of the unique needs of our furry friends, she compares veterinary medicine to human pediatrics. Just like young children, dogs and cats can feel scared and confused in an unfamiliar environment. To ease their fears, we believe in providing treats and other forms of positive reinforcement during their visits. This helps reassure them and makes the veterinary experience less intimidating.
As your trusted Sarasota veterinarian, we are proud to serve our community with a comprehensive range of services. Whether your pet needs routine vaccinations, preventive care, or advanced medical treatments, our veterinary clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to meet their needs. Burns Court Veterinary Care is not just an animal clinic or hospital; it is an animal health center dedicated to promoting the well-being and happiness of your beloved pets.
When you choose Burns Court Veterinary Care, you can trust that your furry family members are in caring and capable hands. Our commitment to optimizing their health and providing a natural flow of compassion and professionalism sets us apart. Experience the difference at our veterinary clinic in Sarasota, FL, where we combine expertise, gentle care, and a genuine love for animals to deliver exceptional veterinary services.
What is Fear Free®?
Our mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety & stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them.
Our Values
Love
Advocacy
Quality
Patient Positivity
Trust
Customer Service
Meet Your Burns Court Veterinarian
Dr. Josie Hamilton
DVM | Owner
Dr. Hamilton is our lead veterinarian and a strong advocate for the Fear Free Movement. Her other special interests include preventative care, dermatology, soft tissue surgery, acupuncture, and chronic pain management.
She graduated from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine before pursuing an additional year long internship at Coral Springs Animal Hospital near Ft. Lauderdale. Dr. Hamilton has practiced in the Sarasota area since 2018 and opened Burns Court Veterinary Care in 2023.
Meet Your Pet Care Advocates
Megan F.
Practice Manager
Megan was born and raised in NY. She then lived in NJ and PA until she moved to Florida to be closer to her folks in 2011.
After graduating from college with a BA in social work and art therapy, she explored her career options but found herself following her 4 year old passion of working in the veterinary profession.
Megan has worked with wild animal rehabilitators, at a traveling farm, dabbled in Er work, house calls and had worked at few different hospitals in every position before finding her home at Burns court in 2025.
Megan loves to learn everything about veterinary medicine and takes particular interest in exotics, hospice care, nutrition and preventive care. When she is not working, she spends her time tending to her mini zoo, volunteering with her Autism organization or spending time with her family and friends.
Megan enjoys listening to music, doing artwork and spending time outside especially around water.
Megan’s pet family includes 5 dogs, 2 cats, a Quaker parrot, bearded dragon, 6 chickens, 3 ducks and a horse for now.
Becky L.
Veterinary Nurse/Technician
Becky is a native Sarasotan who graduated from Pine View School and received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Florida. She has been working in veterinary medicine as a veterinary technician since 1990.
She has a fondness for all animals, but has a particular love for calico cats. In her spare time she enjoys spending time in nature anyway she can including biking the Legacy Trail, going to the beach and taking road trips to Florida State Parks. She also enjoys going to movies, checking out new restaurants, and thrifting with her sister.
She joined the Burns Court Veterinary care team in August 2024. She has completed the Fear Free certification program which teaches techniques to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in animals.
Heather H.
Veterinary Nurse/Technician
Heather is a Sarasota native with 20 years of experience in the veterinary field. She first got her start at the age of 16 working for her family’s veterinarian, Dr. James E Kurzydlo at Forest Lakes Animal Clinic. She enjoyed 11 amazing years working for Dr. Kurzydlo and the practice.
After Dr. Kurzydlo retired in 2014, Heather left and began her 6 year journey at Cat Depot. She started out at the Cat Care Clinic for the first 3 years, and then transitioned to working on the shelter side for the last 3 years. It was here that Heather really discovered her love and passion for working with cats.
Heather joined the team at Burns Court Veterinary Care as the original technician when the clinic opened in February 2023. She feels honored to be apart of this team, and has enjoyed being a part of this clinic’s development.
When Heather is not working with animals she can usually be found partaking in one of her hobbies. Heather is a musician and plays the flute, oboe, English horn, and both electric and acoustic guitar. She loves gardening, working with herbs, and crafting her own herbal tea blends and botanical skincare. Heather enjoys traveling and has been to Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, England, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica.
Heather has two cats of her own (Xena and Athena), a fish tank, a ball python, and four corn snakes.
Sonja K.
Client Service Representative/ Veterinary Assistant
Sonja grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and went on to attend Florida Gulf Coast University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Science.
Sonja has been an animal lover her entire life, with a special passion for sea turtles, manatees, and, of course, dogs. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys paddle boarding, exploring new places, and spending quality time with family and friends.
She joined the Burns Court Veterinary team in November 2025.