Meet Our Staff

Dr. Diana Cortez first joined our team when Dr. Mulvihill hired her as kennel attendant in 1994. During the course of her undergraduate studies and veterinary school, both completed at UC Davis, Dr. Cortez moved up to the position of veterinary technician assistant and later to that of veterinary technician. After graduating from veterinary school in the year 2000, Dr. Cortez completed a one year-long rotating internship in the Los Angeles area that focused on oncology, ophthalmology, internal medicine, and surgery. After completing the internship, she moved back to Sacramento and shortly afterwards returned to her home here at Sacramento Animal Hospital as a veterinary associate.

In 2006, Dr. Cortez became a partner in the practice along with Dr. Karen Mulvihill and Dr. Erin True. Together, they've continued to grow the practice and build a culture of teamwork, trust, and integrity. In 2011, Dr. Cortez stepped into her current role as our Hospital Director. Though it meant she had to cut back on time spent with clients and patients, something she had to think long and hard about, it has allowed her to help ensure Sacramento Animal Hospital continues to be the warm, family-centered, reputable practice it has always been.

In her down time, Dr. Cortez enjoys spending time at her son's sports events and band performances. She also enjoys going to the movies, the local theater, and curling up with a good book.

Dr. Erin True originally started caring for animals who weren’t traditional companions by pursuing her Masters degree in Marine Biology and working with California Sea Lions. She soon saw the error of her ways and went on to attend UC Davis Veterinary School, obtaining her veterinary degree in 1995. She has been with Sacramento Animal Hospital Since 1997 and became an owner in 2006.

Dr. True has a particular interest in canine reproduction and sports medicine. In addition to practicing as a veterinarian, Dr. True has been breeding and showing Australian Shepherds for 20 years under the kennel name Navarro Australian Shepherds. She actively trials dogs in conformation and herding and occasionally stumbles around the agility ring.

Dr. Karen Hume-Smith grew up in Seattle, Washington and worked as a zookeeper for many years before going to veterinary school. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis. During her veterinary training, Dr. Hume-Smith participated in research on feline ophthalmology and after graduation she completed a one-year rotating small animal internship at VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center. She liked the Sacramento area so much that she stayed to work in a mixed general practice and ER medicine hospital in the area, until joining Sacramento Animal Hospital in January of 2019.

During her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, snuggling with her cats Earl and Otis, and outdoor activities such as snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and white-water rafting.

Dr. Karen Mulvihill obtained her DVM from UC Davis in 1988. After working in general small animal and emergency practice, she settled at SAH in 1990. She became a partner in the practice in 1994. Always devoted to animals, at the age of 9, Karen aspired to be a jockey turned wrangler, but decided in high school to use her talents to care and treat animals. Dr. Mulvihill enjoys all aspects of family veterinary medicine, and has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery. She is board certified in canine and feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Dr. Mulvihill has been married for over 30 years and has two adult sons, two Golden Retrievers, and one crazy orange cat named Karl. When time allows, Karen can be found skiing, hiking in the Sierras, or traveling with her family.

Dr. Lesley Scheblein grew up in Shingle Springs, California, where she lived on her family’s small acreage, surrounded by horses, dogs, and cats. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, graduating summa cum laude. Dr. Scheblein went on to earn her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis in 2010, specializing in small animal medicine. During this time, she also worked as a technician, spending many hours at Sacramento Animal Hospital.

In addition to her work as a general practitioner, Dr. Scheblein pursued further training, earning certifications in Canine Rehabilitation in 2018 and Veterinary Acupuncture in 2021 through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. In 2022, she also completed her certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy through the Healing Oasis. With these advanced skills, she strives to help pets thrive at every stage of life, whether they're hiking the trails in Tahoe or enjoying their golden years at the local park. Dr. Scheblein is so passionate about physical rehabilitation that she runs her own business on her days off!

Outside of work, Dr. Scheblein shares her home with her German Shepherd, Moxie, and two cats. A nature enthusiast, she loves hiking and backpacking to beautiful locations, capturing stunning landscape photography along the way. She also enjoys hosting dinner parties for friends and indulging in her love of baking.

Dr. Jennifer Koncz grew up in the Bay Area and always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. She wanted to work in a family practice because getting to know and having a good long-standing relationship with her clients and patients is very important to her. Basically SAH and Dr. Koncz are a perfect fit!

Dr. Koncz started her career with animals as a kennel assistant at the age of 14. Throughout high school and college, she worked with a wonderful veterinarian in the Bay Area who became her mentor. She then went to the University of Oregon for her undergraduate degree, after which she worked as a Veterinary Technician for several years at a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital. Dr. Koncz couldn't stop there and ended up attending UC Davis for Veterinary School. Graduating with honors in 2009, Dr. Koncz is a member of the UC Davis Phi Zeta Honors Society.

Dr. Koncz specifically enjoys feline medicine, internal medicine, and ophthalmology. These interests sprouted during her Veterinary Internship at Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center where she became knowledgeable and skilled in critical care, internal medicine, cardiology, and ophthalmology. We are all excited to have her as a part of the SAH team! Currently Dr. Koncz is working on getting SAH certified as a Cat Friendly Practice® with the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Outside of work, Dr. Jennifer Koncz enjoys hiking, camping, going to the movies, and reading. Her mom is from Louisiana and passed on her love of cooking Cajun and Creole dishes, which she also enjoys eating! At home, Dr. Koncz lives with her fiancé; they are owned by two cats and a Lab-Boxer puppy.

Dr. Elana Scheindlin grew up an aspiring veterinarian in San Francisco and received her B.S. in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis. After graduation, Dr. Scheindlin completed a one-year small animal internship at VCA Loomis Basin. She then spent four years at a mixed general practice and ER medicine hospital in the area, until joining Sacramento Animal Hospital in September of 2020. She particularly enjoys the practice of preventative care, dermatology, and internal medicine.

Outside of work, Dr. Scheindlin can be found traveling the world with her husband or walking her dogs Mayzie and Milo to neighborhood coffee shops (her cat Tika declines to participate in travel). She also enjoys activities such as hiking, kayaking, board games, cooking and baking.

Dr. Lake received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2009 from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Originally from Northern California, she was happy to get back to the west coast where she completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at the Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles. Since 2010, she has been working as a small animal general practitioner for both Village Oak Veterinary Hospital and Manteca Veterinary Hospital, located in the Central Valley. In 2015, she moved to Elk Grove with her husband and two step sons. After 4 years of commuting, she has decided to relocate her work closer to home and will be joining the team at Sacramento Animal Hospital in October 2020. Her special interests include radiology, dentistry, and internal medicine.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Lake enjoys glamping in her travel trailer, hiking, relaxing with family and friends, scrapbooking, and painting. She can occasionally be persuaded to go wine tasting. She has a Golden Retriever named Jada and a Labrador/Pointer mix named Aries, who are spoiled brats!

Dr. Tiana Rangchi grew up just outside of Sacramento, in El Dorado Hills, CA. She had known from a very young age that she wanted to become a veterinarian, and began raising Guide Dogs for the Blind while in high school. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she moved to Santa Barbara, where she worked as a veterinary technician and volunteered at the Wildlife Care Network. She went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tufts University, near Boston. Although Dr. Rangchi enjoyed her experiences on the east coast, she was ready to come back home to Sacramento, and shortly after she joined SAH. Her special interests include dentistry, soft tissue surgery, dermatology and pain management. Dr. Rangchi loves the community built around family veterinary practices, and most of all values her role in nurturing the human-animal bond.

Dr Rangchi has a soft spot for all Labrador retrievers, as well as her cat, Mr Grey, whom she has utilized to refine her clever weight loss tactics for feline friends. Outside of work, Dr. Rangchi can be found paddle boarding on Lake Natomas, playing ultimate frisbee in the park, attending concerts, or traveling the world with her adventurous family.

Dr. Caroline DaRosa was born and raised in the South Bay Area. She always had a deep love for animals and had a menagerie of pets growing up. She went on to study at UC Davis for undergrad, majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with a minor in Animal Science. While in college she spent her free time working in the equine department of the vet school, riding horses, and fostering kittens. Dr. DaRosa went on to earn her DVM at UC Davis, where she quickly found her place with the cat-people at school. While in vet school, she was President of the Orphan Kitten Project (OKP), a non-profit devoted to rescuing and fostering bottle babies, sick kittens, and everything in between. Her professional interests include feline medicine, soft tissue surgery, and geriatric/end-of-life care.

Dr. DaRosa and her husband live with three very spoiled cats: Walter, Nyx, and Obie. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, volunteering for animal shelters, cross stitching, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. Kaya Lee was born and raised in Maui, Hawai’i. She grew up with a variety of animals including chickens, goats, and dogs. She also had a love for showing dogs as a junior handler. As a little girl, she often accompanied her mom, who worked as a veterinary technician. It was there that her love for veterinary medicine began.

Throughout high school, she volunteered at local veterinary clinics which further solidified her love for the profession. When it came time for college, she left the ocean and palm trees behind for Colorado State University where she obtained her B.S. in Biology. Following her undergraduate education, she continued her studies at Colorado State University, receiving her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. Her special interests include cardiology, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. In veterinary school, she also became known for her deep love of chihuahuas. Following veterinary school, she and her husband wanted to be closer to family which prompted the move back to Sacramento. Dr. Kaya Lee is very excited to join the SAH family!

Dr. Kaya Lee and her husband live in Sacramento with their naughty little chihuahua puppy, Stuart. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys painting, drawing and curling up with a good book.

Tasia joined the SAH team in 2023 and has brightened our days with her constant smile ever since! She can recall wanting to help animals since the age of eight and give a voice to innocent creatures who cannot speak for themselves. She is currently attending Sac City College working hard toward her goal of becoming a veterinarian with a focus in Zoology. During down time, you can find her hiking with her 3 crazy Huskies and Dachshund or hanging out with friends and listening to music.

Joining our team in 2023, Max has proven to be a great addition! Max has loved animals ever since he can remember. Stemming from his passion for animals and his desire to continue learning, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from UCSC. He impresses us daily with his inquisitive nature. When not hard at work, he enjoys time with his two cats, Luit and Doob, whom he affectionately refers to as “his girls”. You can also catch him birdwatching, hiking, gardening, or dominating at board games.

Meet Martin, a dedicated member of the Sacramento Animal Hospital family who has practically grown up within the walls of our hospital. As the son of one of our hospital owners, Martin's journey in the world of veterinary care began early on. Starting as a kennel assistant, he quickly grasped the essential role that veterinary support staff plays in ensuring the well-being of our furry friends.

Currently enrolled at Carrington College, Martin is pursuing his passion for animal care with the goal of becoming a registered veterinary technician. His academic pursuits reflect his commitment to providing the highest level of care to the animals that come through our doors.

Beyond his professional aspirations, Martin's love for animals extends to his personal life. Outside of work and school, you'll often find him immersed in tending to his family's diverse menagerie. From goats and chickens to donkeys, dogs, and cats, Martin has a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.

While Martin may be on a serious career path, he can't escape the playful dynamic of being the hospital's "little brother." Despite his probable reluctance to admit it, his presence adds a touch of familial warmth to Sacramento Animal Hospital, creating a nurturing environment for both our team and the pets we care for. Martin's journey is a testament to the values we hold dear – a passion for animals, dedication to excellence, and the spirit of family that defines our hospital. 

Lyzette started working at Sacramento Animal Hospital in February of 2023. She graduated from UC Davis with a bachelors degree in Animal Science  and is now one of the hospital’s veterinary assistants. “I love that I am able to come to work everyday and help care for the animals while also working alongside the best people”. Lyzette has loved animals since she was a little girl and decided to pursue a career in the veterinary field to help care and advocate for them and their health. She plans on applying to veterinary school in the future, specializing in companion animals. She currently also has one dog of her own. His name is Max and he is her absolute best friend. They love spending their time playing frisbee at the park, hiking or going on road trips together. When her hobbies don’t include Max, Lyzette loves cooking, binge watching movies/tv shows and traveling. 

Carmella’s love for animals started with an endearing Delaware chicken on her abuelita’s farm. Her compassion for all living things and passion for learning continues to expand and overlap into different fields. She graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Animal Biology. During her time there, she gained research and veterinary medicine experience that solidified her desire to continue the path to veterinary school. When Carmella is not eagerly looking for birds, bugs and plants out on her adventures, she enjoys experimenting with food, gardening, creating art and spending time with her two cheeky rabbits, Gilbert and Eleanor. 

Betsy joined SAH in 2006 while she finished her M.S. in Animal Science at UC Davis studying dairy cattle. She grew up with a large pet family which at one point included 7 cats, 3 dogs, and 6 rabbits. Caring for companion animals has always been an important part of Betsy's life, yet working as a technician really developed her love for medicine and helping pets live healthy, happy lives. Betsy currently lives with a Bull Terrier "Desi", Labrador mix "Simon". Outside of work, you can find Betsy running, building things around the house, and gardening.

Bibi is currently attending the RVT program at CRC to obtain her license. She’s always been drawn to animals from a young age, and one day hopes to work in wildlife medicine. Bibi currently has a tabby cat named Nuka. Outside of work she likes to hang out with family, cuddle with Nuka and watch movies or explore the outdoors.

Serafia, also known as Fia, joined our SAH team in April of 2018. Fia has been working in Veterinary Medicine since 2013. She's always had a love for animals along with a passion for their well-being for as long as she can remember. She's currently going to school part-time, working on her goal of becoming a registered veterinary technician. Outside of work, she lives with her Mexican hairless dog, Piglet, and her tabby cat, Hobbes. Fia enjoys drawing, traveling, hiking, and snuggling with her cat and dog. Someday she hopes to work with exotics and wildlife.

After leaving Marin County in 2017, Guiselle was hired at Sacramento Animal Hospital as a kennel attendant. The hospital quickly realized how valuable Guiselle's knowledge, skills, and passion were and she was promoted to veterinary assistant swiftly. On top of attending school to pursue her undergraduate degree, she also aspires to get her RVT license in the near future.

When she is not at work or school, Guiselle enjoys watching supernatural shows & movies, visiting family in the Bay area, and trying different types of food. Additionally, she loves to spend time with her two pets; Whiskey, a German Shepherd mix, and her tuxedo punisher kitty, Franky Castle.

Born and raised in Oceanside, CA, Heather moved to Northern California to complete her Bachelor's degree in Biology at CSUS! From a young age, Heather's close bond to animals inspired her to want to work in the veterinary field. When not sharing her amazing laugh with all her co-workers, Heather can be found snuggling her pets; an English Bulldog named Ginger and a cat named Tofu. She also enjoys reading, watching horror movies, and going to music festivals.

Jackie joined Sacramento Animal Hospital in September 2016 after living in Humboldt County for nearly a decade. She graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor's degree in English, but then decided to pursue a job at a small animal veterinary hospital in Arcata. Now she's back in Sacramento to be closer to family, and so glad to be part of the SAH team! Jackie grew up in a family of veterinary technicians on a ranch with cats, dogs, chickens, and horses. She considers animal care to be an integral part of her life. Currently she has two dogs, an Italian Greyhound named "Seester" and a Terrier mix named "Bitty", who both love to sun bathe with Jackie while she reads on the balcony.

After graduating from Chico State, Katy decided to pursue a career working with animals, and went on to receive her RVT license in Reno in 2012.  She has worked with all types of furry and non-furry friends while completing externships at the Dallas Zoo Hospital and the PAWs Wildlife Foundation. She moved to Sacramento in June, 2014 and feels so lucky to have found her place with the SAH family.  Dentistry is her favorite part of the job, especially when surgical extractions are warranted. Outside of work, Katy enjoys spending time in the sun with her pup Pinocchio, and his new human brother, Tucker!  She and her husband hope to show Tucker the world in their traveling adventures.

Kierra joined the SAH team in hopes of learning more about animal medicine. Helping people helping pets has always been a passion for her and she knew that there would be lots of opportunities to learn when joining the team! At home, Kierra is the proud owner of a quarter horse named “Money Pit”, and two cats named “Tobey Jr” and “Gizmo”.

In her spare time, Kierra enjoys paddle boarding with her boyfriend (her favorite place being upper Lake Clementine), spontaneous day trips with friends (mainly with her best friend, Saylor; one of our technicians), spending time with her horse by teaching her new tricks, archery, skeet shooting, cooking and reading thriller books.

In the future, she hopes to pursue an RVT license or work at a large animal clinic, but for now she's happy to learn as much as she can about veterinary medicine.

Cassie joined SAH in the summer of 2020 after graduating with a degree in veterinary technology. She followed her passion & that led her to a wonderful, at times difficult, but forever rewarding career in veterinary medicine. Cassie spends her time away from work with her husband, son, and two absolutely incredible dogs. Together, they enjoy everything outdoors, spontaneous road trips, trying new foods, & watching movies, old and new. When she’s alone, Cassie enjoys reading impressionable books and napping with her fur babies.

Currently attending school to obtain a Veterinary Technician license, Saylor has been in the veterinary field for three years. She has always felt inspired to make a positive impact on the pets in her community and felt that working in the veterinary industry was just the right way to achieve that. Saylor loves all kinds of animals and has a few of her own. Most of her free time is devoted to caring for her horse, Betsey, and all her reptiles. Outside of work, Saylor loves hiking, trail riding, playing video games, and going on spontaneous adventures.

Stephenie joined us in 2011 after graduating from UC Davis with a B.S. degree in Animal Science. Shephenie and her husband live on 2.5 acres with their 2 daughters. They have two horses: Buster and Aly, two dogs: Rue and Bandit, eight chickens, and a tortoise named Maui. Upon being hired, there were multiple Stephenie's working in the hospital, which is why it was an easy choice for Stephenie to go by "Phenie" instead. Phenie has a great enthusiasm for knowledge and strives daily to learn new techniques that can further benefit our clients and patients.

Vanesa started her journey with the SAH family in May of 2021 as a kennel attendant. Her love for animals started with participating in 4-H and FFA by showing pigs and steer. Vanesa recently graduated from Sacramento state University with a B.S. in Biology where she spent time as an undergraduate researcher studying Bacterial Microbiology/Molecular Biology. Her love for science, preventative medicine, and animal welfare helped her blossom into a tech assistant and she is currently striving to grow into the role of a veterinary assistant. She plans on applying to Veterinary school in the near future in hopes of attaining her DVM and specializing in livestock animals. When she’s not working, she enjoys cooking, working out, hiking, and painting.

Melissa joined the SAH family in 2023. Following her childhood dream of working with animals, she started off pet sitting, moved her way up to working at a pet boarding facility, then earned her Veterinary Assistant Certificate in 2015. While she loves working in client relations at SAH, her long-term goal is to start an all-black cat rescue with special focus on the senior cats who need a safe place to live out the rest of their days. At home, you can find her amongst her posse of pets including 3 dogs – Ophelia, Octavia, and Nemo – and 2 cats – Vladimir and Gibbon. She also enjoys knitting, reading, spending time with loved ones, and going to the beach.

Anna joined the SAH team in March of 2015. She comes to us with numerous years of customer service experience, including 10 years as a Veterinary Receptionist in sunny San Diego. She specifically enjoys getting to know clients and patients and making everyone feel welcome and comfortable here at SAH. Anna recently moved back to her hometown of West Sacramento, where she and her family just bought their first home. In that happy home is her soulmate Aaron, their young son Evan, and their cattle dog mix Seven. In her spare time, Anna enjoys being outdoors with her family and fixing up and decorating her new home. She is very happy to be a part of the SAH family!

Ashtyn has been part of the SAH family since 2008. She is very passionate about animals and has had her share of pets. Currently she has a kitty named Butters and a black Pug named Truffle Shuffle. Ashtyn is fluent in American Sign Language and enjoys engaging with our deaf clients when she can. Some of her favorite pastimes include anything to do with her daughter Eloise and hubby Kipp, but also beating them at board games on a regular basis and getting out to go adventuring with Truffle when they can!

Christine joined the SAH family in 2021. She was looking for a change after spending almost 16 years working in local TV news as a producer (she even has two Emmy Awards!). Originally from Santa Cruz county, Christine was fortunate to get her first job at the station she grew up watching. After years of keeping the community informed on the issues impacting their lives, Christine decided she wanted to do more. Christine loves helping clients keep their pets healthy and happy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Sean, and their fur babies Kylo, Cheesepuff, and Posey (Go Giants!).

Meghan comes to us from Hawaii, but has lived all across the country. She has always had a love of animals and is the perfect fit for our team here at SAH, although she hasn't promised to take us to Hawaii yet. She has a 5 year old Lab Mix named Hendrix and a 1 year old kitty named Floyd. Meghan stays busy with two jobs, but enjoys playing the guitar and adventuring with Hendrix and her partner in her free time. We really don't know what we would do without her hard working ethics and easy going nature.

Shelby has been here at SAH since 2016 and couldn't be more ecstatic about it! She came to us with excellent customer service and a stellar smile. Shelby grew up here in Sacramento. She has a very spoiled terrier named Nala, a boxer named Kenobi, a cattle dog named Bandit, and a sweet baby kitten named Elsa.  In her spare time, Shelby enjoys the great outdoors, including: hiking, camping, going to the ocean, and other outdoorsy things. She aspires to one day become a marine biologist.

Suzy joined the SAH family in November of 2017 and has loved every minute of it. She has been a client service professional for more than 10 years and has always had a passion for animals. She currently has a Labrador named Tyler, and three cats named Wybe, Imogen, and Valerie. Suzy also has a degree in music, she sings and plays piano. Some of her favorite things are reading, enjoying nature, Harry Potter, and all things Halloween.