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Mountain Aire Veterinary Hospital

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Call or Text Us! 661-248-7387

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Call or Text! 661-248-7387

Our Care Team

Your pet’s emotional and physical well-being is prioritized with every visit. We put patients first!

Visit Our Veterinarians page here!

Sarah

Sarah

Director of Operations

Hi my name is Sarah. I’ve always had a special connection with animals, and found myself involved in the veterinary field from an early age. Like most in this field, I started out cleaning kennels, and worked my way up to senior veterinary assistant over the last 19 years. My areas of interest include dentistry, nutrition, and practice management.

When I’m not evaluating a pet’s dental status, or working clients on their pet’s diet, and caloric requirements, or maintaining the hospital inventory, I can be found at home with my kids. Besides the fur-less children, I have 2 dogs- Sam and Tucker. I also enjoy scrap booking, cooking and spending time camping with my crew.

Catherine

Catherine

Director of Client Experience

I started out as a volunteer waaaay back in 1995. After about 18 months I graduated high school and went on adventures pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Scripps College (’00 Behavioral Psychology), then a Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (’03 Graphic Design) while working as a horse trainer and then a zookeeper (California Living Museum). I returned to Mountain Aire in late 2002 as Director of Boarding Kennels and Baby Tech just before finishing my second degree.

Since then, I’ve become a familiar face in the hospital itself working my way up to a Senior Technician/Veterinary Assistant and Customer Service Representative. In 2013 I completed courses at Veterinary Allied Staff Education (Veterinary Technician), and in January 2022 became Fear Free Certified. My husband and I opened Los Padres Kung Fu San Soo in Lake of the Woods in December 2015.

If all of that doesn’t keep me busy enough, I’m also the Vice President of the Mountain Memories Association (since 2009). We bring you the annual Ridge Route Run Car Show, Fiesta Days, and Mountain Communities Holiday Faire events each year. You’ll often see me at any community event in very colorful attire accompanied by my senior American bully Vera or Dogo Argentine puppy Penelope pond; both of whom are officially the ‘Public Relations PAWficer’ mascots of our festivals and an ambassa-dog for their breeds. Their lives are very busy wagging tails, shaking hands, and kissing babies….or anyone who’s close enough.

During the spring, summer, and fall months I also help as the snake handler for Rattlesnake Avoidance Training for dogs with Ma’N Paw Kennels.

Last, but definitely not least, I spend one day a week at Shelter on the Hill helping assure our local adoptable pets are as happy and healthy as they can be for future fur-ever homes.

Heidi

Heidi

Veterinary Assistant, Director of Medical Records, Pet Insurance and OSHA

Heidi has been such a great lover of animals all her life, that working at a vet’s office was her “dream job.” She wanted to run her own rescue when she grew up.

Tracy

Tracy

Hospital Husbandry and Kennel Care

I am the person working at Mountain Aire Veterinary Hospital that you may never see….which is why my nickname is ‘The Figment’. I come in late in the day and work in to the wee hours of the morning.

I am the one who keeps everything clean, sanitary, sterilized and organized…the one who cleans up the big mess at the end of a very busy day.

My first experience with the veterinary field was with horses!


I have had a long career with horses prior to working at Mountain Aire, in fact, I was a horse jockey at Santa Anita Racetrack! There, I assisted many equine veterinarians during that time.


My passion for small animal medicine began when a beloved cat became ill with intestinal lymphoma. During those 3 yrs after initial diagnoses, we spent many hours and many visits at veterinary hospitals all over Southern California, where I learned from the doctors and technicians how to care for my cats medical needs at home, as best I can…like we try to teach many of our clients here.


Between caring for him, and spending a lot of time watching veterinarians and technicians treating other pets as well as my own, a desire to work in the small animal veterinary field began to grow.


I wanted to be able to help other pets and pet owners like doctors and technicians had done for me. I am called out to especially help clients with cats.


Because I still train horses in the daylight hours, I don’t get to see any of you much but will make myself available to teach ‘at-home’ techniques.

DeAnn

DeAnn

Veterinary Assistant and Animal Trainer

Pursing her innate passion for nature and animals, De Ann earned her degree in Animal Training and Management in 1991. Over the past 25 years she has cared for over 200 species, trained animals around the world for various film productions and taught in-home obedience as well as collaborated in the development of group classes; teaching as many as 13 classes per week! De Ann also enjoys horseback riding, hiking, camping and volunteering for pet and wildlife rescue.

Tami

Tami

Dental Hygienist Assistant

Hi, my name is Tami. I initially started as a client back in 1991 and was impressed with how friendly everyone was and how they cared for my pet. I eventually asked if I could volunteer, which turned into my applying, going to school and becoming a certified Vet Tech. I am a big animal lover and I have always had them since I was a little girl. Taking care of animals has always come natural to me, and my coworkers say I even talk their language. That is why I went back to school and became a Certified Dog Trainer, as well.

I currently live in Cuddy Valley with my husband Patrick (of Shanpat Construction) 3 dogs Chloe, Nala and Timber, and one cat Smokey. Talk about Pet Insurance! I’m hoping to have horses someday also.

Kristian

Kristian

Remote Receptionist

Kris grew up in Bacolod, a bustling city in the Philippines. From an early age, he showed a special interest in animals. Seeing news reports about dogs being abandoned and mistreated made Kris feel strongly about taking action and making a difference. This greatly influenced his decision to work in the veterinary field.

Kris’ officially entered the industry a few years ago, and quickly fell in love with every aspect. He bounced around to a few clinics before settling in at Mountain Aire in January of 2022. As one of our remote receptionists, Kris enjoys processing pharmacy refills and making sure clients get the appointments they need when they need them.

Kris lives with his mother and their two dogs: Koton and Katniss. Koton is a sweet Japanese Spitz who loves to snuggle in between Kris’ feet. Katniss is a chill Chow Chow who loves playing with Koton. On his days off, Kris enjoys chilling with friends, watching Netflix, reading, attending concerts, and vacationing from time to time.

Christina

Cristina

Remote Receptionist

Cristina grew up in a small city surrounded by nature, which nurtured her love for animals. Her family—including her parents and two siblings—shared this passion. They’d spend weekends exploring the outdoors with the family dog, learning about companionship and loyalty. This upbringing naturally led Cristina to a career in the animal care field.

In March of 2023, Cristina joined the Mountain Aire Veterinary Hospital as a receptionist. After completing her training, she quickly fell in love with the work and the supportive team around her. Cristina feels a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of local pets and their owners. Professionally, she enjoys the challenge of thinking critically and responding quickly. 

Currently, Cristina’s family consists of her husband, their two kids, and an American Bully named Alas, who thinks he’s the king of the house. Alas loves to knock things off tables just to watch them fall and insists on sitting on laps like a tiny Chihuahua. When she’s not busy working, you can usually find Cristina whipping up a masterpiece in the kitchen or binge-watching movies—especially the classics!

Kalynn

Kalynn

Veterinary Assistant

Kalynn was raised in a family that lived for adventure and the great outdoors. During one memorable camping trip in the Mojave Desert, she and her father were riding an ATV when they spotted a frail, undernourished dog with a rope tied snugly around its neck. With patience and kindness, Kalynn earned the dog’s trust in just 30 minutes, and they brought her to safety. That dog, later named Sammy, became a beloved member of the family for 15 wonderful years. The experience sparked Kalynn’s lifelong devotion to caring for animals.

Kalynn’s journey into the veterinary field began right here at Mountain Aire Veterinary Hospital. So far, she has thoroughly enjoyed her experience and looks forward to learning more and creating lasting relationships with clients and their furry family members. When she’s not busy working, you can usually find Kalynn dabbling in one of her many other hobbies, which include hiking, swimming, traveling, painting, doing ceramics, and listening to music.