Kings Trail Animal Hospital

Our Veterinary Team

Get to Know Our Team!

We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.

Veterinarians

Dr. Chris Erdman

Dr. Chris Erdman, Doctor

Veterinarian

Dr. Chris Erdman was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and grew up in Hayward, Wisconsin (northwestern Wisconsin). He worked with veterinarians on dairy farms throughout high school and college. Dr. Erdman studied pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Wisconsin and majored in agriculture and biochemistry. He graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977.

Dr. Erdman has practiced in and around Chicago for 20 years, the most recent hospital being Antioch Animal Hospital in Antioch, Illinois. He practiced in Naples, Florida, before buying Kings Trail Animal Hospital.

He enjoys traveling with his wife, Jan, who is from Coconut Grove, Florida. Dr. Erdman also enjoys cooking, especially Italian food and makes the best BBQ beef ribs in Jacksonville! Dr. Erdman and Jan have one Norwegian Forest cat, Sissy, and two Yorkshire terrorists, Hamton and Charlston.

Staff

Somer
Somer, Office Manager

Somer Bachman is the dedicated Office Manager at Kings Train Animal Hospital, with an impressive 22 years of experience in veterinary medicine. A proud alumnus of James Cook University, Somer’s approach to patient care is marked by compassion and love, treating each patient as her own.

Somer’s passion for animals continues in her free time with her three dogs, Ernie, Sage Willow, and Kronos, who actively compete in IGP, Confirmation, FCAT, and Dock Diving. She enjoys camping and hiking when she’s not busy with her dogs’ competitive activities. Somer’s extensive experience, compassionate care, and personal love for animals make her a valuable asset to the Kings Train Animal Hospital team.

Nancy
Nancy, Receptionist

Nancy has been a receptionist at Kings Trail since 2007. She was born and raised in Ohio, where she first fell in love with animals. She worked at an animal hospital in Ohio for 14 years before moving to Jacksonville. She loves to thrift shop and visits Siesta Key, where it’s always 5 o’clock, any chance she gets. She has two adult children and three grandchildren. She has a beautiful long hair dachshund named Hattie Mae and a Shih Tzu named Annie Rose.

Tammy
Tammy, Veterinary Technician

Tammy fell in love with animals at a young age. She knew she wanted to help them in any way she could. She has been a technician for 7+ years. She is from Michigan and has two handsome sons. She also has three dogs (Massimo, Sissy, and Matteo), two cats (Biscuit and Joey), and one gorgeous snake (Ryn). Tammy loves being a technician, and she is dedicated to helping animals in need. During her free time, she loves everything outdoors; beaches, museums, and new trails and spending time with her family.

Cathy
Cathy, Veterinary Technician

Cathy was born and raised in Nashville. Once she moved to Jacksonville, she found her passion; helping and taking care of animals. She has been a technician for 21 years. She has 2 adorable small rescue dogs – Holly Berry and Lady Eileen. When she isn’t working, she loves being outdoors and spending time with her boyfriend.

Sharon
Sharon, Veterinary Technician

Sharon was born and raised in Alabama. She has been in the veterinary field for 30+ years. You can say she was born to be a technician. She has been at Kings Trail since 2011. She has 2 teenage children, 3 dogs; Nay Nay, Sparky, and Scarlet, and 2 cats; Dexter and Gary. She loves the outdoors, especially fishing. An all-time favorite thing to do when the city gets too loud is horseback riding.

Skylar
Skylar, Veterinary Technician

Skylar Estes serves as a Veterinary Technician at Kings Train Animal Hospital, bringing 22 years of experience in veterinary medicine to the team. A Frank H Peterson and Atlantic Coast graduate, Skylar takes immense pride in providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all patients while ensuring the highest quality of care.

She strives to make each visit a positive experience, leaving every pet with a comforting hug and a smile. Outside of work, Skylar is an avid painter and a gardening enthusiast, currently cultivating her own herb and veggie garden. She also loves taking her dogs on car rides, further showcasing her love for animals. Skylar’s dedication to her patients and passion for her hobbies add a unique touch to the Kings Train Animal Hospital team.

Alshante'
Alshante', Kennel Technician
Alshante’ Hurell is a seasoned Kennel Tech at Kings Train Animal Hospital. With over six years of veterinary experience and a background in education from Armstrong State University and Penn Foster, she’s an invaluable member of our team. Alshante’ is passionate about providing a clean, comfortable environment for our animal patients and offering emotional support to their owners. Outside of work, Alshante’ loves hiking and kayaking with her dog, baking, cooking, and spending time with her nephew. Her dedication to animal care and her love for family and outdoor activities make her a cherished part of our community.