Meet Our Team

Education: 

• B.S. in Animal Sciences, University of Florida, 1999

-Summa cum laude

-Outstanding 4 year Scholar (awarded to students maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout undergraduate studies)

-Anderson Scholar of Highest Distinction (awarded to students maintaining a 4.0 GPA through the first 2 years of undergraduate studies)

• M.S. in Animal Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Florida, 2004

-Summa cum laude

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2008

-Magna cum laude

Background: Dr. Nichols, a Ft. Myers native, has come full circle, returning to her roots to provide high quality, affordable veterinary surgery to the dogs and cats of southwest Florida. With a strong foundation in general veterinary medicine, Dr. Nichols has transitioned to a role that emphasizes her surgical experience, a field where she believes she can make a significant impact on animal welfare.

Family/Pets: Dr. Nichols compassion for pets extends to her home that she shares with her loving husband, daughter, and three dogs- Gus, Ella, and Pickles- and two cats, Rose and Chunky.

Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Nichols enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and reading.

Education: 

• B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 2012

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 2018

• Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Chi University, 2020

Background: Dr. Braun grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At a young age, he discovered that he was passionate about caring for animals. Dr. Braun has over six years of experience working in the veterinary field prior to becoming a veterinarian. His professional interests include: preventative care, integrative medicine - focusing on acupuncture and herbal medicine, internal medicine and dentistry. Dr. Braun grew up vacationing in Southwest Florida and is proud to now service Cape Coral and it’s surrounding communities.

Family/Pets: Dr. Braun shares his home with his wife, Kristin, their two weimaraners, Stella and Luna, two mini-dachshunds Aster and Indi and two clownfish, Skipper and Rico. 

Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Braun enjoys spending time outdoors. He loves paddle boarding, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Dr. Braun likes to explore with his wife and their dogs - whether thats finding new hiking trails to dog-friendly restaurants. He is a passionate sports fan. Dr. Braun follows his hometown Minnesota teams and Manchester United.

Education: 

• BS in Biology from the University of Missouri-Columbia 2009.

• DVM from University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine 2013.
  
  Background: Dr. Apking grew up in Columbia, Missouri and had a passion for animals from a young age. She began riding horses at the age of 2 and enjoyed spending time with creatures of all shapes and sizes. Her professional interests include Internal Medicine (especially Endocrinology, Immune-mediated Disease and patients with multiple co-morbidities), Preventative Care and Dermatology.
  
  Family/pets: Dr. Apking is lucky to share her life with her husband, Scott, and their son, Vincent. Their furry and feathered family includes dogs (Brick, Bentley, Bobby, and Billie Jean), cats (Niles, MJ, and Biscuit), Quaker Parrot (Besos), bunny (Salty), hairless guinea pigs (Carmie, Frank, and Marie), Quarter Horses (Stormy and Brooks), and and a few fish.
  
  Hobbies/special interests:  In addition to spending time with family and friends, Dr. Apking enjoys horseback riding, cycling and spending time outdoors. She is excited to finally live close to the beach and fulfill her life-long dream of snorkeling with manatees.

Education: 

• BS in Animal Science Pre-Vet from Oklahoma State University College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources 1999 

• DVM from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine 2005 

Background: Dr. Husted grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Having always been drawn to animals, she knew from the age of 7 that all she wanted to be when she grew up was a veterinarian. She was driven by a love for science and a desire to help protect these creatures that cannot always protect themselves. After graduating from veterinary college, she worked as a small animal veterinarian in a private practice in Oklahoma City for five years before she moved with her family to Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Dr. Husted grew up vacationing at Sanibel Island every year and dreamed of one day moving to the area. It is literally a dream come true, for Dr. Husted, to be able to live and work in Cape Coral. Her professional interests include Internal Medicine, Preventative Care, and Dermatology, specifically allergies.  

Family/Pets: Dr. Husted is fortunate to be able to navigate this adventure called life with her veterinarian husband and best friend, Dr. Charlie Palmer. They successfully raised three children, Tyler, Angi, and Leigha. It was so fun that shortly after their baby turned 20, they decided to do it again and were blessed with a fourth child, Axton (Ax). Currently they share their home with four dogs, Phoebe, a Pekingese, Cassie, a large mixed breed, Reggie, a small mixed breed, and Ajax, a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, as well as with two cats, Johnnie Cat and Percy.  

Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Husted enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her son, Ax, is a gifted athlete who plays baseball, football, basketball, golf, and tennis, so most nights are spent at his sporting events.  But when they can make time, Dr. Husted is a huge Disney fan and loves to spend time at Disney.  She also loves to spend time at the beach. Her favorite sports teams are whatever team her youngest son, Ax, is playing on. Since Dr. Husted, her husband, Charlie, and all of the older children attended Oklahoma State University, you will usually find her supporting her alma mater by wearing orange on Fridays. Go Pokes! 

Education: 

• DVM from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine 1998.

• She also performed a 1-yr internship in LA at California Animal Hospital

Background: Dr. Schaft has worked all over the country including LA, Chicago, and Seattle. She is happy to be free of the snow and has made her home in sunny SWFL.

Family/pets: Dr. Schaft lives in Cape Coral with her husband, 2 children, and their fat cats Jo and Al

Hobbies/special interests:  In addition to spending time with family and friends, Dr. Schaft enjoys boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, and spending time at the beach!

Education: 

• BS in Marine Science and Biology, University of Miami, 1996.

• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2004

Background: Prior to practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Bean was a marine biologist for the National Audubon Society working in the Florida Everglades. During that time, Diane started to volunteer at a local Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and found her true calling was Veterinary Medicine. For over 20 years, she has had the pleasure of working with pets and their families in Southwest Florida. Dr. Bean believes the human-animal bond is a unique bond built on unconditional love, compassion, and commitment. This bond is the force behind what we do everyday in veterinary medicine. She also likes to 'take a walk on the wild side' and volunteer at CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife).

Family/Pets: Dr. Bean and her partner Jim share their home with a variety of rescue animals: Zaya and Zing (Amazing Dobermans), Leelou (Wiggle Butt Bully Mix), Alpha and Cosmo (Cockatiels), Floyd (Blue and Gold Macaw), Vladimir (Russian tortoise), and Stretch (Red-eared slider/yellow belly turtle hybrid).

Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Bean enjoys gardening, baking, reading, hiking/camping, birding, shelling (any activity that gets her out into nature) and watching hockey (her northern roots).

Education: 

• B.A. Biology, Western State College, Colorado, 1995

• M.S. Fresh Water Ecology/Biological Sciences,
  Montana State University-Bozeman, 1999

• D.V.M. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. Matthew’s University, 2024

Background: Dr. Nolan grew up in Colorado, with strong ties to the Midwest with farming background on both sides of my family. He worked with both human and animal medicine, and in educational roles. He served in the US Military from 2008 until 2019, and then went to Vet school (I guess that makes him a Vet-Vet!) Now he is doing the greatest job ever!

Family/Pets: Dr. Nolan has lived in Cape Coral since 2013 with his wife Veronica. They have a beautiful 5-yr old Cockapoo daughter named “Isa” (Eee-Sa), short for Isabelle, they adopted here locally.

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, flyfishing, bicycling, hiking, gardening, cooking, homebrewing.

Education: 

• BA in German Language and Studies from Florida State University (2009)

• Certificate in Veterinary Practice Management from St. Petersburg College (2016)

Background: Autumn fell into the veterinary world in 2007 when she picked up a side job in College as a receptionist for a low-income veterinary hospital. She discovered her love for veterinary medicine and decided to
pursue a career in the field. She has worked as a technician in a variety of practices. She has worked with high and low cost canine and feline practices, and has even worked with exotics like kangaroos, eagles, snakes, and many more. Most recently she was a lead emergency technician for a specialty and emergency hospital in the Space Coast area of Florida. Autumn and Dr. Nichols met back in 2009 when working in a practice together. They formed a solid friendship and decided that one day they would open a practice together where they could practice the type of medicine they felt Clients and their pets deserved! Islandside Veterinary Care and Surgical Center is the product of that dream.

Family/Pets: Autumn lives with her Husband, who is her high school sweetheart and their son. They have 4 dogs: Winnie - a (very naughty) Japanese Chin, Floofs - a Pomeranian, and Elton and Knight - Shelties.

Hobbies/Interests: Autumn loves watching sports. She is a huge Denver Broncos and Florida State Seminoles fan. Her and her family enjoy attending Florida Everblades games locally. She also roots for Orlando City Soccer and she frequents home games with her Husband. She enjoys traveling, reading, playing video games, and cooking.