Dr. Jessie Burgess officially joining the team at Southside Animal Clinic in February 2020 and became Lead Veterinarian in 2024. She is a graduate of the University of Florida (Go Gators!), earned her Bachelor’s in Animal Sciences and Zoology in 2008, as well as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and International Veterinary Medicine Certificate in 2012.

After graduation, Dr. Burgess remained at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine to complete a one-year specialty internship in integrative medicine, which included rehabilitation, acupuncture, nutrition, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Throughout her internship, she received her certification in veterinary acupuncture and further training in herbal medicines at the Chi Institute which she completed in 2012. She then continued post-graduate training at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) in 2015. She is also passionate about the One Health initiative and international veterinary medicine, with previous veterinary trips to Belize, Zambia, Honduras, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

Dr. Burgess is a native of Jacksonville and excited to continue to provide veterinary services to the town she calls home. Her professional interests include preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, and medical management for chronic pain and orthopedic disease. She is passionate about gentle handling of all her patients and positive reinforcement in the clinic setting, especially regarding geriatric and neurologic animals.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Burgess can be found living life to the fullest with her family who love doing anything involving the beach and being on the water, spending time outside hiking and backpacking, traveling, good Mexican food, and all things Chelsea soccer and college football.