DVM Track
Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Dr. Sheahan was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine, with a major in Biology and Criminology in 2003. Dr. Sheahan discovered her interest in comparative ophthalmology after college when she worked as an ophthalmology nurse for four years. She attended Veterinary School a
Dr. Sheahan was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Irvine, with a major in Biology and Criminology in 2003. Dr. Sheahan discovered her interest in comparative ophthalmology after college when she worked as an ophthalmology nurse for four years. She attended Veterinary School at Oklahoma State University graduating in 2011. Following Veterinary School, she completed a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Ohio State University followed by a three-year residency in comparative ophthalmology at Animal Eye Care. She has a particular interest in ophthalmic pharmacology as well as dry eye disorders and retinal diseases. In her free time, she enjoys photography, running, traveling, and spending time with family.
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Dr. Krause attended Iowa State University for undergraduate studies and Colorado State University for veterinary school. She completed a small animal rotating internship at VCA West Los Angeles and then a residency in small animal internal medicine at Ohio State University. Although Laurel grew up in Iowa, she has lived in Los Angeles for
Dr. Krause attended Iowa State University for undergraduate studies and Colorado State University for veterinary school. She completed a small animal rotating internship at VCA West Los Angeles and then a residency in small animal internal medicine at Ohio State University. Although Laurel grew up in Iowa, she has lived in Los Angeles for close to a decade and loves life as an Angeleno. Favorite hobbies are classical music, which includes attending LA Phil concerts and singing and playing classical music, foreign languages (German, French), and checking out local restaurants and museums. She also enjoys figure skating and rollerblading. Laurel is owned by four cats: Rasputin (pictured), Luigi, Casper, and Lotus.
Teresa Linder, DVM, DACVS
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Sara Crespo-Szabo, DVM, DACVIM
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Dr. Linder then completed a rotating internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and spent a year of specialized training in a surgical internship here with us at VCA ASEC. She completed her surgery residency at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, and then r
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Dr. Linder then completed a rotating internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and spent a year of specialized training in a surgical internship here with us at VCA ASEC. She completed her surgery residency at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, and then rejoined the ASEC team to continue her career in surgery. Dr. Linder then successfully completed all of the requirements to become a board-certified veterinary specialist and surgeon in 2024. She particularly enjoys soft tissue reconstruction, oncologic surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, thoracic surgery, minimally invasive surgery and fracture repair. In her spare time, she can be found hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking, and spoiling her two cats, Pancake and Cooper.
Sara Crespo-Szabo, DVM, DACVIM
Laurel Krause, DVM, Practice Limited to Internal Medicine
Sara Crespo-Szabo, DVM, DACVIM
Dr. Crespo-Szabo received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University. After completing a small animal rotating internship at VCA Animal Specialty and Emergency Center, she spent three years working as an emergency clinician in Northern California. She then went on to become a board-certified specialist in smal
Dr. Crespo-Szabo received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University. After completing a small animal rotating internship at VCA Animal Specialty and Emergency Center, she spent three years working as an emergency clinician in Northern California. She then went on to become a board-certified specialist in small animal internal medicine, after completing a specialty internship and residency in Orlando, Florida. She has since returned to southern California, where she grew up, with her husband, daughter, and three geriatric cats that she has collected along the way. Dr. Crespo-Szabo has extensive training in the broad field of small animal internal medicine, but is especially interested in endocrinology, nephrology and urology, and endoscopy.
Cindy Vaca, DVM, DAVDC
Jeanette Yamamoto, DVM, CHPV
Jeanette Yamamoto, DVM, CHPV
Dr. Cindy Vaca is a board-certified veterinary dentist and a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College. She started her veterinary career in 2004 as a receptionist at ASEC and has loved the hospital ever since. She graduated Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and immediately started her rotating inte
Dr. Cindy Vaca is a board-certified veterinary dentist and a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College. She started her veterinary career in 2004 as a receptionist at ASEC and has loved the hospital ever since. She graduated Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and immediately started her rotating internship at ASEC. She completed her residency in dentistry & oral surgery at Colorado State University in 2022 and is pleased to be back in Los Angeles. She loves addressing oromaxillofacial traumas and teaching all things dentistry to veterinarians, technicians, and students.
Jeanette Yamamoto, DVM, CHPV
Jeanette Yamamoto, DVM, CHPV
Jeanette Yamamoto, DVM, CHPV
Dr. Jeanette Yamamoto obtained her BS in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University in 1997, followed by her DVM in 2002. Returning to California after graduation, she completed a small animal internship and 2 years of an Emergency/Critical Care residency at California Animal Hospital/Animal Specialty & Emergency Center in Los Angeles.
Dr. Jeanette Yamamoto obtained her BS in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University in 1997, followed by her DVM in 2002. Returning to California after graduation, she completed a small animal internship and 2 years of an Emergency/Critical Care residency at California Animal Hospital/Animal Specialty & Emergency Center in Los Angeles. She stayed on as a senior emergency and critical care clinician at ASEC on and off until 2012, when she stepped into general practice until 2019. In September 2011, Dr. Yamamoto established Peaceful Pets In-Home Euthanasia Services to ensure peaceful passings for dogs and cats in and around the Santa Clarita Valley. In 2019, the continued growth of the business required her to be dedicated to the service full time. Through the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Yamamoto earned her certification in veterinary hospice and palliative care in October 2020 to better provide services for her canine and feline patients. October 2023, she also earned her Animal Aromatherapy Specialist certification and incorporates essential oils into her practice.
Tech Track
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Felix attended the University of Arizona and graduated in May 2010 for undergrad - (Bear down Wildcats!) She went on to the University of Wisconsin - Madison for veterinary school graduating in 2015. Then completing her rotating internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospitals of the Carolinas in Cary, Raleigh, and Durham from June 20
Dr. Felix attended the University of Arizona and graduated in May 2010 for undergrad - (Bear down Wildcats!) She went on to the University of Wisconsin - Madison for veterinary school graduating in 2015. Then completing her rotating internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospitals of the Carolinas in Cary, Raleigh, and Durham from June 2015 - July 2016; on to her emergency & critical care residency at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn, MA. Dr. Felix worked outside of Boston with MVRH and Boston West Veterinary Emergency and Specialty for about 1.5 years before moving here at ASEC. She authored a case report of cholecalciferol toxicity and treatment in a puppy, and professional interests include treating sepsis, trauma, and heatstroke.
Dr. Felix grew up playing soccer and still loves to catch a game in her free time. She enjoys cooking, going kayaking, playing volleyball... and anything else outdoors by the ocean. She also is a fanatic about all things Arizona Wildcats!
Leah Contreras, CVT, RVT
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Hi! my name is Leah Contreras and I currently work in Boston, MA as the lead anesthesia technician at MSPCA-Angell. My hometown is Santa Monica, CA and I've been in the field since graduating high school. My first veterinary job was at SNP LA, and after a few years, I decided to make the jump to specialty medicine. I started at ASEC as a
Hi! my name is Leah Contreras and I currently work in Boston, MA as the lead anesthesia technician at MSPCA-Angell. My hometown is Santa Monica, CA and I've been in the field since graduating high school. My first veterinary job was at SNP LA, and after a few years, I decided to make the jump to specialty medicine. I started at ASEC as a radiology assistant and shortly after joined the surgical team. Monitoring anesthesia and helping out in critical care is where I began to thrive, as well as unlocked my love of teaching. Excited to learn more, I expanded my horizons by joining the anesthesia department at Oregon State University, where I was responsible for teaching students during their small and large animal anesthesia rotations. Eventually, I made my way to Angell's anesthesia department, where my current job consists of helping to train new and current staff by elevating their knowledge, implementing training programs in anesthesia for different specialties, managing anesthetic cases, and creating anesthetic protocols. My professional interests are critical case management of any species, local/regional blocks, cardiac and open chest anesthesia. I have two pets, a mischievous Siberian Forest Cat named Obi, and a squishy Rottie pup named Drago.
Halley Hemmert, RVT
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Katie Courtney, CVT, RVT
My name is Halley, I started veterinary medicine in 2007 by taking a veterinary assistant class. I was hired at high volume general practice and have worked my way through the different areas of vet med for the last 15+ years. I found I have a passion for emergency and critical care with a special interest in training and education. I got
My name is Halley, I started veterinary medicine in 2007 by taking a veterinary assistant class. I was hired at high volume general practice and have worked my way through the different areas of vet med for the last 15+ years. I found I have a passion for emergency and critical care with a special interest in training and education. I got my RVT license in 2021. I grew up in the Inland Empire of California. When I am not with the pets at works I enjoy spending time with my own two dogs; Chase, a 3 year old Yorkie mix, and Bean a 3 year old French Bulldog. I also enjoy traveling, going to concerts, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops with my wife.
Katie Courtney, CVT, RVT
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Katie Courtney, CVT, RVT
Hailing from southern Arizona, Katie went to Pima College where she got her AAS in veterinary technology. She then expanded her career and became a CVT there, and then received her RVT in California. She worked as an ICU tech for a 24-hr emergency hospital in Arizona and then made the move to CA and continued her experience in emergency a
Hailing from southern Arizona, Katie went to Pima College where she got her AAS in veterinary technology. She then expanded her career and became a CVT there, and then received her RVT in California. She worked as an ICU tech for a 24-hr emergency hospital in Arizona and then made the move to CA and continued her experience in emergency and intensive care at ASEC. During a brief relocation to Texas she joined the Veterinary Emergency Group and continued honing her ER skills. She made her way back to Cali and re-joined the ASEC team as a vital member caring for patients in urgent need. Katie is currently working towards obtaining her veterinary technician specialty (VTS) in emergency and critical care. Outside of vetmed things she enjoys baking, camping and pottery! She and her husband share their home with a terrier mix named Chunk, and an orange tabby named Walter.
Leader Track
Rob Best, CVPM, CFN
Clara Pelton, BS, RVT, CVPM
Clara Pelton, BS, RVT, CVPM
Rob Best is a certified expert in Neuroleadership, the science-based field centered around emotional intelligence. His work focuses on increasing the emotional and psychological safety within professional environments to help attract, retain, and develop talent.
And he certainly knows a little something about talent, having been a basketba
Rob Best is a certified expert in Neuroleadership, the science-based field centered around emotional intelligence. His work focuses on increasing the emotional and psychological safety within professional environments to help attract, retain, and develop talent.
And he certainly knows a little something about talent, having been a basketball player, a world explorer who’s trekked six of the seven continents, and even the CEO of a global nonprofit supporting teenage entrepreneurs in over 30 countries. Rob holds two bachelor’s degrees, Business, and Organizational Communication. And his learning & education have never stopped; he’s earned his CVPM, is a licensed expert in body language, statement analysis, and deception detection. Along with his excellence in neuroleadership, these educational advances have helped grow his ability to support leaders and influence positive change with measurable business and interpersonal improvements.
Think he looks familiar? Rob is a known keynote speaker and a regular guest on podcasts & TV… from talking about his work with people like Ndaba Mandela and Kobe Bryant, to profiling criminal suspects and celebrities for possible deception. Rob loves his work and is always excited for new experiences, so please do not hesitate to introduce yourself and share your story!
Clara Pelton, BS, RVT, CVPM
Clara Pelton, BS, RVT, CVPM
Clara Pelton, BS, RVT, CVPM
Clara is a Southern California native who has a lifelong affinity for helping animals. She started her career in veterinary medicine as a kennel assistant before attending Cal Poly Pomona and graduating with a degree in Microbiology. After graduation, Clara continued her work in the veterinary industry focusing on emergency and critical c
Clara is a Southern California native who has a lifelong affinity for helping animals. She started her career in veterinary medicine as a kennel assistant before attending Cal Poly Pomona and graduating with a degree in Microbiology. After graduation, Clara continued her work in the veterinary industry focusing on emergency and critical care while earning her Registered Veterinary Technician license. Clara was published in NAVTA magazine for an article called, “Fluid Therapy: A Technician’s Role”; catapulting her into education and mentorship within the industry. Clara has over 10 years of experience managing both general practice and specialty veterinary hospitals. She is an educator for students in veterinary assistant programs. Her vision is to: educate, train and mentor members of the veterinary community; from hospital team members and doctors, to rescue volunteers and pet parents. Clara currently resides in Ventura County with her husband, son, 3 cats and tripod dog. In her free time, Clara and her family enjoy traveling, food/wine, and baseball!
Michael Gamez, MS
Clara Pelton, BS, RVT, CVPM
Michael Gamez, MS
Michael Gamez (he/him) is the Manager, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity for VCA Animal Hospitals. He works closely with VCA Diversity Resource Groups, which are Associate-led groups that directly impact workplace culture, sense of belonging, and development. Michael has worked in the EI&D space for over 5 years, and has been with VCA and Mars Veterinary Health since 2022.
RECOVER & Wet Labs
Melissa Hulgreen, MS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Melissa Hulgreen, MS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Melissa Hulgreen, MS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Melissa Hulgreen has been working in the veterinary field since 2006. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Health Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2012 and shortly after became licensed. She has worked in emergency and critical care settings for over a decade and in that time, she earned h
Melissa Hulgreen has been working in the veterinary field since 2006. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Health Science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2012 and shortly after became licensed. She has worked in emergency and critical care settings for over a decade and in that time, she earned her VTS (ECC) and a Masters Degree in Biomedical Science. Melissa has always had a passion for teaching. She has taught courses for Cal Poly Pomona's Veterinary Technology Program, served on several tech school advisory boards and mentored many veterinary professionals on their path to licensure and VTS certification. Currently, Melissa is the Regional Technician Director for VCA's Pacific Southern California Group where she supports technicians and veterinary assistants in over 50 hospitals. She has been a RECOVER Certified instructor since 2019 and specifically enjoys empowering RVTs to take a more active role in leading CPR efforts.
Adrienne Felix, DVM, DACVECC
Melissa Hulgreen, MS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Melissa Hulgreen, MS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Dr. Felix attended the University of Arizona and graduated in May 2010 for undergrad - (Bear down Wildcats!) She went on to the University of Wisconsin - Madison for veterinary school graduating in 2015. Then completing her rotating internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospitals of the Carolinas in Cary, Raleigh, and Durham from June 20
Dr. Felix attended the University of Arizona and graduated in May 2010 for undergrad - (Bear down Wildcats!) She went on to the University of Wisconsin - Madison for veterinary school graduating in 2015. Then completing her rotating internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospitals of the Carolinas in Cary, Raleigh, and Durham from June 2015 - July 2016; on to her emergency & critical care residency at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn, MA. Dr. Felix worked outside of Boston with MVRH and Boston West Veterinary Emergency and Specialty for about 1.5 years before moving here at ASEC. She authored a case report of cholecalciferol toxicity and treatment in a puppy, and professional interests include treating sepsis, trauma, and heatstroke.
Dr. Felix grew up playing soccer and still loves to catch a game in her free time. She enjoys cooking, going kayaking, playing volleyball...and anything else outdoors by the ocean. She also is a fanatic about all things Arizona Wildcats!
Ian Sroufe, DVM
Melissa Hulgreen, MS, RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Ian Sroufe, DVM
Dr. Ian Sroufe is a first-year surgery resident at VCA ASEC. He graduated in 2022 from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine after earning his bachelor degree in animal dairy and veterinary science with a minor in biology from Utah State University. He is passionate about all things soft tissue and orthopedic surger
Dr. Ian Sroufe is a first-year surgery resident at VCA ASEC. He graduated in 2022 from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine after earning his bachelor degree in animal dairy and veterinary science with a minor in biology from Utah State University. He is passionate about all things soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Sroufe is a husband and father of 2- when he is not changing diapers, he is likely to be found waste deep in a river slinging a fly.