Fresno Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center / Our Staff

	JERAN B. Hi, my name is Jeran and I have been involved in Veterinary Emergency Medicine as a Receptionist for almost 3 years. I am currently attending Fresno City College working towards the completion of my general education requirements. After graduation, I will transfer to a graduate school to work towards my B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Vocal/Opera Performance. I currently perform with the The Fresno Grand Opera I have always enjoyed my involvement with our clients and find it rewarding to be able to listen to questions, present answers and help pet owners through times of concern and worry. I feel that I will always be a part of the veterinary community and take great pride in devoting time to the assistance of saving lives.
KATHERINE B. Greetings and salutations! My name is Katherine Burt and I am one of the veterinary assistants at CCVSC. I was incredibly fortunate to have started here two weeks after the hospital opened, and have loved every minute of it. The staff is incredibly talented, fun, and full of determination not only to give the best care to the animals we see, but to give the best care to the people we see. I graduated cum laude from Fresno State in the spring of 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science and hope to eventually continue my education, as my aspirations include becoming a veterinarian. My former "lives" included retail and security jobs, and I still do some in home care work. I live with my parents and three brothers (yikes), and am owned by four animals- "Princess", the sassy tortoiseshell who deigns to let us live in her house; "Baka" (pictured here), an insane flame point Siamese who likes to hunt bugs; "Kin-gu", Baka's skittish twin brother who likes to eat bugs; and "Gwen", a pit bull mix who really has no idea what is going on but is content to let the cats boss her around.
	Tim C.
ANGIE D., RVT Technical Supervisor Hello, I am originally from Fresno. I began in the veterinary field in 1999 as a kennel cleaner at the UC Davis Vet Med Teaching Hospital. I received my BS in Animal Science from said institution in 2000. I worked up the ranks of hospital positions to obtain my RVT in 2002. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings, but I would have to say my favorite is specialty practice. My last position was in a specialty clinic in the Bay Area in the Surgery and Oncology departments. When I found out that I had to return to Fresno, my job search began. I happened upon an ad on VSPN for a new specialty/emergency clinic that was opening in Fresno, imagine my delight. It was an interesting opportunity to work at a hospital that was starting from scratch. With the variety of cases that we see here at CCVSC I am hoping to obtain my specialty certification in Emergency/Critical Care. As for pets, 3 cats currently tolerate my presence as the bringer of food; Sweet Pea (9 yrs, female/spayed DLH), Muk (8 yrs, female/spayed DSH), and Chaos (2 yrs male/neutered DLH).
	MELISSA F., RVT, CPhT I'm Melissa F. RVT/ CPhT. I've been an RVT since 2001 but have been working with animals my whole life. Since I was very young, animals have held a special place in my life and in my heart. I have experience with large, small and exotic animals such as birds and reptiles, I love each equally, but emergency medicine is by far what I love the most. I love coming to work every morning. Working here with such skilled and dedicated co-workers and Doctors has been by far the best experience in my career, and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of our little family here. My other, more immediate, family includes a Doberman named Vladimier, and a Corgie mix named Cody. My 6 cats, Sir Lourke, (my Persian), Willamena, Calixta Mae, Suki Liu, Macy and Manga. My birds, a Jenday Conure named Cleo, and a Blue Crown named Greenbean, whatever rescues happen to be passing through at the time and of course my wonderful, patient and understanding husband, Brian. In my spare time I go to school at City College, I am a volunteer at Children's Hospital Central California in the Pharmacy, I volunteer at California Feline Foundation / Valley Animal Center, I read, watch and collect movies and I love to play video games, even though I should have outgrown that years ago.
RON G., RVT
	SCOTT G., B.S. My name is Scott G. and I am a relief senior veterinary assistant for CCVSC and I am currently working as a receptionist. I have been an animal nurse since November of 1999 when I was given a surprise opportunity to be nurse by a local hospital. The funny thing is, I needed the job at the time and the plan was just to help out, I didn't intend to stay, but after struggling through some of the difficult times learning, I found that nursing is a very interesting and rewarding vocation. In 2006, I graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor's degree in Biology which has helped me understand what it is we do and why. While I still really enjoy the job that I do, my plans to obtain licensure from California have fallen by the wayside. I have since decided to further my educational career. I have begun attending graduate school and hope to earn my PhD in Forensic Psychology by 2013. Being the son of a veterinarian, I have always been around animals, at home and in my previous jobs working with exotics and the public. It is truly a blessing to come to work and feel right at home with all my friends and, yes, my family. There is nothing better than seeing the very sick or the very injured arrive into my hands, to help them convalesce, and return home to the family that belongs to them - happy and healthy! I am humbled and honored to work with the exceptional team that we have here. At home I have my furchildren. "Elke," my rescued feline (she's a brat), Franka the little gray rat, and Lucille (Lucy) the vagrant kitty that was so hungry, she was licking concrete. I hope her home is better now. I was also the proud owner of a few serpents until recently; they were a great hobby and I enjoyed them so, but as life blows, you must flex and bend to the wind. You might ask, "How can you love a slimy creature?" Well, I say, "who said fur was so great?" I also enjoy reading, collecting and listening to music, cinema, and costuming. There should be a Halloween once a month! I would also like to thank everyone that offered support in the months surrounding November 2007. Never have I endured such a tragedy and I thank the many that paid their respects to my father and my family with condolences, well-wishes, and tremendous friendship! I am humbled. Thank You!
	LAURA M., B.S.
KELLEY M.
	DEREK P. Hi, my name is Derek P, also known as "Derka" around here. I'm one of the veterinary assistants here at CCVSC after being promoted from the role of great and powerful PCA. OK, I'm not that great and powerful I was pulled into the veterinary world when CCVSC was opened in July of 2006, and have learned a great deal about animal care and medicine since then. My previous jobs have been as a hotel desk clerk, a courier and receptionist for a title company, and I have had a few jobs in food service. Let's just say that I'm very happy to be here with this great staff, and the opportunity to learn all that is offered at this hospital. I am living with 7 animals at the moment. My Housemate has 5 dogs. They are "Mocha Grande", the German Shepherd, "Sake Doodles", the Cockapoo, "Mr. Fox", the King Charles Terrier, "Bella", the little Chihuahua, and "Charlie", the Chihuahua and most recent rescue from CCVSC. My boyfriend and I have a little pug named "Bravissimo", and then there is our gray cat "Archibald Beasley Crow III". It gets kind of stressful and messy around the house with our little zoo, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am currently involved with The Fresno Grand Opera and am taking performing classes at FresnoCity College. I hope to incorporate both my love for music and acting, as well as my love for animals in my future.
SARAH P. Public Relations Coordinator I have worked at CCVSC since January of 2007. I began as a receptionist, and was adopted as a member of the technical staff about a year ago. I also work as the public relations coordinator for the hospital, representing us at local community events and visiting the regular veterinarians in the area. Previously, I worked for the Central California SPCA for 2 years. My fiancé, Jeff, and I recently bought our first home, where we live with Homer, a 10 year old shepherd mix, and Arthur, a 4 year old terrier mix. Jeff is a software programmer, dabbles in web design, and is currently learning to program and design video games in his spare time. I enjoy bike riding with my dogs, taking them to swim in the river, being a SPCA foster parent, reading, and succulent gardens. I am currently at work on my first novel, which has been the most rewarding experience of my relatively short life, next to animal rescue work. I am looking forward to someday having a gaggle of children, reading books to them at bedtime, and library days.
	MELODY Q. My name is Melody Q and I am a senior veterinary assistant here at CCVSC. Animals, particularly dogs, have always been a very important part of my life, and finding a career that enables me to express this is absolutely one of the best things I could ever have done for myself. I've been a veterinary assistant for over nine years now, and before that I had a small grooming business. I previously worked with Dr. Gfeller at VES during my first years in emergency medicine, and am flattered to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this new hospital. To say the least, the experience has been one of the most positive of my life. One of the best parts of this job is, without a doubt, the people I get to work with. They are a continual source of knowledge, humor, and encouragement for me and I look forward to coming to work every morning. Getting paid to spend the day with your friends doing what you most love to do. What could be better? I currently live in the foothills east of Fresno with my husband and our 16 dogs. They range in size from 5 lb Chihuahua to 70 lb Akita, include various breeds and sizes between, and are all "rescues". Although we do have quite a few other animals, the dogs have definitely become the center of our lives. My husband, Sean, works out of town all week and always takes at least 3 of them with him. The others are good company for me and a comfort to come home to every night. I won't deny, though, that I do have a few favorites. Monkeyface, for example, a Pug-Boston mix with an unending supply of energy and a comic attitude toward life, is a constant source of entertainment. Conky, a deaf Staffordshire terrier, is perpetually good-natured despite the abuse she suffered before she came to me. I have seen her actually back away from her food dish to let a kitten eat his fill! And Treehorn, a rat terrier mix and a "mama's boy" if there ever was one, is an excellent foot warmer when he burrows under the covers every night to sleep between my feet.
	JENNIFER S.
DONNA T. Hello, my name is Donna T. I am a Veterinary Assistant at CCVSC. I joined the staff at CCVSC in December 2006 and working at CCVSC has been a new experience for me. I am learning so much from a different point of view. My previous experience was with a daytime practice for 5 years. I love working with the different doctors and staff members. Everyone here knows the meaning of team work, and they welcomed me with open arms. I have two children (dogs). Malichi is a 5 year old American Bulldog and Andrew is a 4 year old English Bulldog. Although I love taking care of animals, my goal in life is to become a police officer. I have to say my hobbies vary. I love to play golf, go bowling and spend time with me dogs, my family and my friends.
	LOURDES V.