About Us
 Lake Howell Animal Clinic is conveniently located in Central Florida near the intersection of State Road 436 (Semoran Boulevard) and Lake Howell Road in Maitland (Casselberry), just South of Red Bug Lake Road. We are approximately 20 minutes from downtown Orlando and 45 minutes from the Disney Area.
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Your Veterinarians
Orlando Diaz-Figueroa, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP (Avian Specialty)
Specializing in Avian/Exotics Animal Medicine
Orlando Diaz-Figueroa was born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico to Carmen M. Figueroa and Orlando Diaz-Quirindongo. As a child, Orlando was surrounded by many animals including fish and reptiles. This led to the development of a keen interest in exotic animals. He graduated from Colegio San Jose in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico in 1992 and continued his education at Louisiana State University. In Louisiana, he developed an interest in Veterinary Medicine and research by working at the Laboratory Animal Medicine Research Center at Louisiana State University. He was inducted to the Dean’s list while pursuing his Bachelor of Science. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. He was admitted to the School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University in the fall of 1997 and was awarded his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in May 2001.
During his last year at the School of Veterinary Medicine, he was named All-American Collegiate Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy. At the same time, he was inducted to the Phi Zeta National Veterinary Honor Society – Rho Chapter at Tuskeege University. In the fall of 2001, he accepted the position of an internship in companion avian/exotic and small animal medicine at Animal Care Unlimited and the Ohio Wildlife Center which he successfully completed in the summer of 2002. After completing the internship, he was accepted for a 3-year residency in Zoological Medicine at the Louisiana State University. While completing his residency and Master of Science degree, the Louisiana State University had the honor to induct him to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for his academics and leadership. He finished his residency and obtained his Master of Science degree in July 2005.
In December 2006, Dr. Diaz became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Avian Specialty. He regularly speaks to local clubs and schools about exotic pet care and has authored numerous articles and book chapters in professional texts and journals. His special interests are in avian obstetrics and reptilian gastrointestinal diseases. Other areas of interest include avian endoscopy, ferret endocrine diseases, rabbit infectious diseases, and exotic animal orthopedics. His personal interests include husbandry and breeding snakes and tortoises. Other hobbies are growing orchids and keeping cichlids from South America and Africa.
Nydia Melissa Perez, DVM
Dr. Nydia Melissa Perez was born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico to Nydia Marquez and Cesar Perez. She graduated with honors from Cecilio Lebron Ramos High School in Patillas, Puerto Rico and continued her education at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. There, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree on Biology. She was admitted to the School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University in Alabama in the fall of 1997. During her veterinary school years, she was inducted to the Phi Zeta National Veterinary Honor Society – Rho Chapter. On May 2001, she graduated Cum Laude from Tuskegee University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
After her graduation, Dr. Perez completed a one-year internship on Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Akron, Ohio. During her internship, she received training from various general practitioners as well as specialists in internal medicine, surgery, oncology and emergency medicine. Dr. Perez then moved to Louisiana where she worked at Metairie Small Animal Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana. This hospital received the Hospital of the Year award in 2004 from Veterinary Economics magazine. For three years, she had the opportunity to work at a state of the art facility with highly experienced veterinarians. During those years, she also worked on emergency duty, adding to her previous emergency and critical care experience.
On a more personal note, Dr. Perez and Dr. Diaz-Figueroa met at Tuskegee University since they were classmates at the veterinary school. They were married on July 26, 2003 and moved to the Greater Orlando area in 2005 where they both worked at different animal hospitals. They currently live in the Tuscawilla area with their multiple pets: Sabrina, a black Labrador Retriever; Gumbo, a -yellow Labrador Retriever; Pablo, a wire-haired Dachshund; Frodo, a Basset Hound; Dante, a Maine Coon cat; Lancelot, a black domestic longhair cat; one blue-tongued skinks and several different species of tortoises and turtles.
Professional Associations
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)
American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
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