Dr. Danielle Gallo
Medical Director
After spending several years in the cold Midwest, Dr. Gallo, along with her husband, two children and their family of pets relocated to Tierra Verde. She practiced at a small animal hospital in St. Petersburg for several years before establishing Island Life Animal Hospital located in Isla Del Sol. “I believe in building strong relationships with my clients and their pets along with the importance of working as part of a strong veterinary team.”, Dr. Gallo emphasizes. “Educating pet owners about how to care for their pets, various illnesses, and especially the importance of a healthy weight are the cornerstones of my practice philosophy.”
In her practice, Dr. Gallo is an advocate of practicing high-quality, progressive medicine in their advanced animal hospital which offers expanded skills in dentistry, surgery and ultrasonography along with wellness pet healthcare. Being fluent in Spanish helps her to effectively treat patients of Spanish speaking clients.
When considering where to establish her “dream” veterinary hospital, Dr. Gallo states, “I fell in love with this town the first time I came to visit my family. I love the animals, the people, the beach life, and how pet friendly it is here. Pets are not just animals but a member of the family. Opening Island Life Animal Hospital gives me the opportunity to become more involved with the community and improve the life of pets and their people”.
Dr. Gallo enjoys spending family time at area beaches, surfing, paddle boarding and jet skiing. She is also a very accomplished artist in the mediums of watercolor, printmaking and photography. Her work is on display throughout Island Life Animal Hospital and can be viewed by the general public.
Dr. Johnathan Pierce
Owner and Administrative Director
The culmination of this dream began for Dr. Pierce when he first pursued his educational training at Ohio State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences in 2005. Dr. Pierce then further pursued his career aspirations by attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, in St. Kitts, West Indies where he also met his future wife, Dr. Danielle Gallo-Pierce. After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2009, Dr. Pierce returned to Ohio joining his father at Northridge Veterinary Hospital as an Associate Veterinarian.
While pursuing the highest quality of medicine possible in the Midwest, Dr. Pierce also gained valuable leadership experience by aiding in the management of a veterinary corporation, Pet Partners, LLC as Area Medical Director and Chair on the company’s Medical Advisory Board. After spending 6 years in Ohio, Dr. Pierce and his family relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida where he worked as an Associate Veterinarian at Braden River Animal Hospital, a well-developed and progressive small animal hospital, serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Incorporating the values of strong ethical responsibilities in medicine, teamwork and community involvement, Dr. Pierce’s vision to embed these attributes into Island Life Animal Hospital are also paired with his love for general and orthopedic surgery, pet wellness, and Internal Medicine.
“I have been practicing since 2009 but been in veterinary medicine my whole life. I grew up in my fathers practice and always wanted to build one of my own. After moving to St. Pete and falling in love with its pets and people, I couldn’t think of a more perfect community to open Island Life Animal Hospital.”, states Dr. Pierce.
In his leisure time, Dr. Pierce enjoys the beautiful beaches of St. Petersburg and Fort De Soto Park with his family and pets. He also loves watersports including surfing, paddle boarding and jet skiing, road biking, and Disney adventures with his wife and two small children, Evie and Lucas.
Dr. Robert Pierce
Veterinarian
Originally from Painesville, Ohio, Dr. Pierce earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio State’s School of Agriculture and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his veterinary education, he and his wife, Kathy, moved to Virginia, where they eventually purchased and operated two veterinary practices in Hampton, VA.
Years later, Dr. Pierce and his growing family returned to Ohio, where he became the owner of North Ridge Veterinary Hospital in Madison—the very clinic where he first worked as a student and aspiring veterinarian.
Over the course of 37 years, he provided dedicated care to Madison’s pets and their families while raising three children: Christopher, John, and Katie. Inspired by his father’s passion for veterinary medicine, Dr. John Pierce followed in his footsteps, joining North Ridge Veterinary Hospital after his own graduation. The move also welcomed Dr. John Pierce’s wife, Dr. Danni Gallo, to the practice.
In 2017, Dr. Pierce and his wife relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Since then, he has continued practicing veterinary medicine in Florida, most recently serving the pet community in Spring Hill before joining Island Life Animal Hospital in 2025.
Beyond his dedication to veterinary medicine, Dr. Pierce is also an accomplished author. He has written five fictional thrillers that explore compelling “good vs. evil” themes across continents. His passion for storytelling reflects his curiosity about the world and the resilience of the human (and animal) spirit. He uses the pen name Pierce Roberts.
With his extensive surgical and medical expertise, unwavering compassion, and decades of experience, Dr. Pierce is a valued addition to our veterinary team. He finds immense gratification in witnessing the remarkable advancements in veterinary medicine and surgery, which continue to elevate the standards of pet care.
We are honored to have Dr. Pierce on our team. As a family-owned animal hospital, we greatly appreciate his and our entire team’s dedication to our beloved community and pet families.
Dr. Steven Sanders
Veterinarian
Dr. Sanders is passionate about providing high-quality, compassionate care for small animals and has extensive experience treating exotic and pocket pets as well. His thoughtful approach and dedication to building lasting relationships with both pets and their families make him a wonderful addition to our hospital.
We are thrilled to have Dr. Sanders as part of the Island Life team and look forward to the care and expertise he will bring to our community.