Meet the Team at Paws Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Stacey Riff is the founder and medical director of Paws Veterinary Clinic in Delray Beach, Florida. Her journey in veterinary medicine began early—at just 3 years old, she declared she wanted to be a veterinarian and never looked back. As a child, she immersed herself in veterinary programs at Tufts University and Cornell University, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for animal care.

Dr. Riff earned her undergraduate degree from Emory University, where she majored in Biology and minored in Mathematics. She went on to earn her DVM from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where she served as President of her class and was awarded the Shelter Medicine Certificate and multiple academic honors. She later completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in North Carolina.

Dr. Riff is Fear Free Certified and a Cat Friendly Veterinarian, delivering emotionally supportive, stress-reducing care to both pets and their people. Her professional interests include internal medicine, emergency and critical care, abdominal ultrasound, dentistry, and practice management. Over her career, she has worked in both emergency and general practice settings, delivering exceptional care to each patient. 

Opening Paws Veterinary Clinic is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream: to create a family-owned, small-town-feel practice rooted in kindness, collaboration, and cutting-edge veterinary medicine.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Riff enjoys life with her husband, Adam, their four children—Peri, Chloe, Ryder and Stevie—and their two beloved dogs, Dash and Mikey. She also serves as a committee member for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and credits her parents for teaching her the lifelong value of giving back to the community.

With a blend of leadership, clinical expertise, and heartfelt dedication, Dr. Riff is redefining veterinary care—one patient, one family, and one tail wag at a time.

Dr. Vardeva-Georgieva, joins the family of Paws Veterinary clinic from Europe.  After earning her DVM degree from University of Forestry, Sofia, she sharpened her skills for several years in the Netherlands and as a volunteer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Upon moving to the United States, she worked as a veterinary technician in Texas while completing the necessary certifications to practice as a foreign graduate. This diverse background has allowed her to develop extensive expertise in surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, ophthalmology and dermatology.  Now a resident of Boca Raton, Florida, Dr.V brings over a decade of veterinary experience and passion for animal care gained in three continents to Paws Veterinary Clinic.

When not caring for her patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband Nick, their three children Niya, Emma, and Adrian-Nickolay, and their cat Dutch.  Together, they love to scuba dive, ski, and travel.  Dr.V is also multilingual, speaks Dutch, English,Bulgarian, and Russian, and understands French and German. 

I began my career in veterinary medicine in 2005, laying the foundation for a rewarding journey that has spanned two decades. After graduating from the Vet Tech Institute in 2008 and becoming a certified veterinary technician, I gained valuable experience working across various specialties, with a particular focus on emergency and critical care.

Throughout my career, I have held leadership roles for eight years, where I have honed my skills in team management, client relations, and patient care. My goal has always been to use my expertise to create the best possible experience for both patients and clients, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care at every step.

Originally from the Midwest, my husband, currently a Palm Beach County Firefighter, and I relocated to Palm Beach County, where we now share our home with two dachshunds, Wiendog and Squirt, two bully mix dogs, Luna Lovegood and Tootsie (aka Pig), and a western hognose snake named Betty White. With years of hands-on experience and a passion for both animal care and team leadership, I am committed to leading the Paws Veterinary Clinic team to provide exceptional care for our patients and their families. 

Joy has 10 years of experience in the veterinary field and a true passion for patient care and Fear Free practices! She’s worked across the country, from Alabama to South Florida, and has spent the last 5 years helping pets in the Boca/Delray area alongside Dr. Riff.

When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll probably find her at the beach with her German Shepherd, Deuce! Her ride-or-die since day one in vet med. She’s also working toward her Master’s in Biomedical Science to keep growing in the field she loves!

Meet Alana! With six years of experience in the veterinary field from shelter medicine to general practice Alana brings a calm and positive presence to the clinic.

Her bond with animals has been a part of her since a very young age, and she truly believes this career chose her.

She is continuing her education in veterinary medicine with the goal of providing the most advanced and compassionate care possible.

In her free time, she enjoys being active, spending quality time with friends and family, and caring for her dog, Zola.

Alicia has spent the past 12 years in the veterinary field, turning her childhood love of animals into a lifelong career. From a young age, she found comfort and companionship in her pets, and that special bond continues to guide the way she cares for every patient. Alicia treats each animal with the same compassion, patience, and dedication that she gives her own.

When she’s not at the clinic, Alicia enjoys creative projects like designing custom spider enclosures, discovering new music and concerts, traveling, and exploring new places. At home, she shares her life with five cats—Barney, Vecna, Ripley, Cletus, and Clyde—her loyal dog, Chase, and her pet jumping spiders.

Alicia is excited to welcome your pets and make them feel right at home!

Briana Gasperino is a skilled veterinary technician with four years of experience providing compassionate, high-quality care to animals of all species. She studied Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, gaining extensive training in animal health, handling, and treatment through work with both domestic pets and livestock. Known for her gentle approach and technical expertise, Briana strives to make every patient feel safe and every owner feel supported. A lifelong animal lover and proud owner of two dogs and two cats, she brings empathy and dedication to her work each day. Outside of the clinic, Briana enjoys spending time at the beach, reading, exploring new music, and practicing yoga to stay balanced and energized.

Francesca Salvatore has been a veterinary technician for 4½ years. In that time, she has followed her passion for animals—providing compassionate care, comfort, and love to each patient as if they were her own. Helping pets live their happiest, healthiest lives is what inspires her every day.

Outside the clinic, Francesca is a student at FAU, continuing her education to deepen her knowledge of veterinary medicine. She also loves traveling—whether it’s exploring destinations around the world or enjoying a magical day at Disney World—and spending time with her horse, her dogs, and her loved ones. She looks forward to meeting you and your pets!