Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Laurie Cook graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988, earning honors in Large Animal Surgery and Rural Animal Medicine. After graduation, she practiced in Montana for a year and a half in a mixed-animal practice, where she focused primarily on equine medicine and surgery.

In 1990, Dr. Cook returned back to Florida  to marry her husband, Richard and to start a family having two sons, Brandon and Dylan. During this time, she balanced a demanding schedule practicing large animal medicine during the day while also working in small animal emergency medicine at night.

Dr. Cook transitioned away from large animal practice in 1993 and spent the next eight years practicing small animal medicine in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.  In 2001, Dr. Cook opened her first veterinary hospital, In Jupiter, Florida, where they lived and raised their two boys.

After a decade of practice, and as their sons began college, Dr. Cook and her husband decided to pursue a lifelong dream of owning a farm. They sold their home and veterinary practice in Jupiter and relocated to Okeechobee. Both Dr. Cook and Richard share a passion for the outdoors, a deep love for animals, and an interest in hunting. In 2014, that passion led them to establish a Whitetail Deer Farm, combining their hobbies with a dedication to wildlife and conservation. Together, she and Richard focused not only on breeding exceptional whitetail genetics but also on educating children and young adults about wildlife appreciation and the deer industry through internships and volunteer programs.

While developing their farm and being one of the only whitetail veterinary consultants in the state of Florida. Dr. Cook continued practicing small animal medicine at a local veterinary hospital.

In 2021, Dr. Cook was given the opportunity to open the doors of Cowtown Animal Hospital where she continues to provide the highest level of veterinary care for the small animals in our community, embracing her special interest in internal medicine, dermatology and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Tia Spugnardi is an Associate Veterinarian known for delivering thoughtful, personalized care grounded in compassion, clinical excellence, and collaboration. With a philosophy rooted in “healing with heart,” Dr. Tia approaches every patient relationship with intention—honoring the deep bond between pets and their families.

Dr. Tia earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Pre‑Veterinary Medicine from Murray State University, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Advanced clinical training was completed through selective rotations at the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where precision medicine and a high standard of care shaped a lifelong commitment to excellence.

During veterinary training, Dr. Tia participated in international service initiatives in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, providing veterinary care to underserved communities through nonprofit outreach. These experiences profoundly shaped a lifelong passion for serving both people and their pets with empathy, respect, and kindness—values that continue to guide her daily practice.

Following graduation, Dr. Tia completed an equine internship at a premier equine hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, contributing to the development of a veterinary student externship program and the establishment of a satellite referral clinic. An ensuing role as an equine associate veterinarian offered the privilege of working closely with thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses, supporting prestigious sales at Keeneland and Taylor Made, and developing a particular affinity for neonatal and broodmare medicine. Alongside a demanding clinical schedule, farm calls, in hospital surgeries and emergency cases throughout the Bluegrass, Dr. Tia volunteered extensively with Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, helping steward the health of more than 100 retired racehorses with dignity and respect.

Transitioning into small animal medicine, she practiced in a high‑volume urgent care setting between two clinic locations before settling in Okeechobee, Florida—an especially meaningful return, as family roots are deeply established in the community. For more than five years, Dr. Tia has been honored to serve local families, providing attentive, relationship‑driven care tailored to each pet’s individual needs.

Clinical interests include ophthalmology, preventative medicine, and integrative therapies, including acupuncture. Dr. Tia is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture through Chi University and values a balanced approach that blends evidence‑based medicine with complementary modalities when appropriate. A strong advocate for collaboration, Dr. Tia believes the best outcomes are achieved through partnership—often summed up with the guiding phrase, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Care is delivered with humility, integrity, and a quiet confidence that puts both pets and clients at ease.

Beyond the clinic, Dr. Tia enjoys antique collecting and refurbishing, getting lost in a good book, and spending time with family. Travel adventures often include fly‑fishing, backcountry camping, and hiking with her husband. Faithful and beloved companions Pancake the dog and Poptart the cat frequently accompany these journeys, a reflection of Dr. Tia’s belief that life—and the world—is best experienced together.