Our Veterinarians
Passionate. Professional. Pet Lovers.
NewDay veterinarians are a rare breed. Regardless of location, each one is a top-notch pet care specialist and proud animal activist who is beyond passionate about providing the highest quality pet care. With access to best-in-class technology in a full-service clinic, we empower our veterinarians to work up their own treatment plans to provide the best care possible. Afterall, NewDay Veterinary Care aims to help pets live their best life with complete pet health care.
Veterinarian Leadership
Dr. Clay Hellner brings more than 25 years of experience in veterinary medicine to Pet Paradise and NewDay Veterinary Care, including expertise in surgical, nutritional, therapeutic, and clinical care for small and exotic animals.
Dr. Hellner was a long-time practice owner, caring for thousands of pets. He built successful veterinary teams, coaching practitioners to advance their skills in clinical medicine, surgery, and client communication. His hospital was recognized as the Hospital of the Year among over 700 peer hospitals. He joined the NewDay Veterinary Care team in 2020 as the Sr. Regional Veterinary Medical Director, before moving into the role of Chief Veterinary Officer in 2023.
His philosophy of doing what’s right for pets has been at the heart of his medical approach since his early days as a veterinarian. His business approach further optimizes pet care by prioritizing what is right for the veterinary teams caring for pets. He sees veterinary medicine as one of the most noble professions because the daily efforts veterinary teams will make for both pets and people are awe-inspiring.
He is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and of Loyola University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He currently lives with his family in the Charlotte area.
Dr. Karen O’Connor studied at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, she entered into the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and was a recipient of the U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship. She was stationed in Savannah, Georgia, and also oversaw the veterinary mission at another nearby base in South Carolina.
After fulfilling her military service obligation, Dr. O’Connor returned to civilian life, working for veterinary practices in the area, as a surgeon for the Humane Society of Greater Savannah, and even owned her own practice. She was an instructor of anesthesiology and surgical principles at Ogeechee Technical College and microbiology at East Georgia State College.
Dr. O’Connor is passionate about preventative care and believes that educating clients is key to extending the lives of pets. She is NewDay’s Regional Veterinary Medical Director and lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida, with her cat, Poindexter.