Meet Our Staff

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 cattledog 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!

Angeline joined Sacramento Animal Hospital in 2022 and has known it’s been a perfect fit since day one. Having studied accounting and business, she never thought she’d be working with animals. After moving to Oceanside, CA with her husband she decided to try something new and after taking a leap of faith, she knew it was the right decision and never looked back.  She eventually made her way back home to Northern California and found her place here at SAH soon after.  Angeline currently lives with her husband, Jose, their two german shepherds, Lucy and Scar, and their cat Binney.  Outside of work you can find her cooking new vegan recipes, taking the dogs on adventures, and playing videos games.

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 past times 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! 

Chio allows herself to be guided by what feels “right” innately, and that is exactly what led her to SAH. Community is essential to growth, so being part of a knowledgeable, close-knit team, while being the liaison between clients and our medical team, offers a daily opportunity to learn, apply and flourish. When not in scrubs, Chio enjoys reading, spending time in beautiful parks, beach day-trips, and a good workout. She has three dogs of her own, and marvels at the impact of the human-animal bond. She has an interest in the why’s and how’s behind medicine and the movement/impact of disease-especially zoonotic! As a firm believer in the One Health initiative, she understands that the viability of all forms of life is synergistic and reliant on Earth’s resources. She would like to pursue a career in the Public Health sector of Veterinary Medicine.

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 Kyle, Cheesepuff, and Posey (Go Giants!). 

Keila is excited to have joined the SAH family in 2022. Keila enjoys greeting everyone with a big smile and thrives in customer service and finds helping others very rewarding. For as long as Keila remembers, she has always had a big love for animals. Keila has two chihuahuas, one named Kukui and the other Stewie. She also has a handsome tabby named Uno. Originally from the Bay Area, Keila moved to Sacramento in 2021. Outside of work, she likes to watch movies, do her nails, enjoy nature, and spend time with family & friends. Keila is excited to continue to grow professionally alongside the SAH team! 

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.

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.

Jack joined the SAH team in early 2015 as a kennel attendant. Jack quickly learned the ropes around the hospital and earned himself several promotions over the years. Not only is he one of our senior technicians now, but he is also a pivotol member of our training team- a group dedicated to growing and developing our technicians. Outside of work, Jack keeps it low key, mainly hanging out at home with his young bouncy German Shepherd mix named Whisky. If he can top it off by watching the Bronco's (aka. Super Bowl 50 Champions) win a football game, that's a big bonus.

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.

Jamie graduated from Carrington College and obtained her RVT license in 2016. She joined SAH in November 2017. She is married to her high school sweetheart and is a new mom to a baby boy. At home Jamie has 2 chihuahuas named Scarlett and Abby, a cat named Lucy, and a bearded dragon named Blaze. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching movies, and being outdoors.

Jay joined the SAH family in August of 2018 and is an aspiring veterinarian. When not working, he's usually being active, taking day trips to coastal cities and exploring all the hikes and trails that the West Coast has to offer. One of his hobbies is collecting cute seashells from all of the different beaches he visits. He absolutely loves taking his dog to the beach so he can be the majestic beast he was born to be. Jay has a sausage of a Chihuahua at home. While Jay likes to stay active, he also enjoys the slow-paced lifestyle. For example, he loves watching the sassy Golden Girls with a glass of wine in hand.

Katy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Chico State in 2009 before pursuing her passion for animals. She graduated from vet tech school in Reno in May 2012, where she spent a few years as an licensed veterinary technician at small animal hospitals. Katy 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. She has a special interest in dental procedures, especially when surgical extractions are warranted. Outside of work, Katy enjoys spending time in the sun boating, snowboarding, rafting, or at the river with her pups, Pongo and Mickey Mouse.

Pauline has an ever growing interest in animal rehabilitation. She currently has her sights set on earning a doctorate in physical therapy with the hopes to one day work with both animals and humans. In her free time she loves being outdoors, whether it’s hiking a mountain, spending the day mountain biking, or going on a run with her dog Lucy. At the end of a productive day she enjoys relaxing with her 2 cats, Wall-nut and Dae-Z. With her enthusiasm for helping pets feel their best coupled with a passion for exercise, she is excited to work with pets who may require her expertise. 

Born in Sydney, Australia, Rhea moved to California as a small child and knew that she wanted to work with animals very early on. She has two pets at home; Elena, a German Shepherd, and Phoenix, her crazy orange cat. While there are times Rhea's pets stress her out, she would not trade them for the world. Outside of work, Rhea loves to spend time with her twin old brothers, reading, camping, traveling, and spending time at the beach. Although Rhea is always willing to take on any task, she will politely decline assisting with anything having to do with bugs. Be that as it may, Rhea brings a wealth of support to the team!

Samantha joined the SAH family in March 2021. Having a passion for animals since a young age, she's been in the veterinary field for nearly 16 years. As a child, Sam was always bringing home strays and volunteering at the local animal shelters- even fostering animals at times. In her spare time she loves spending time with her two children and her pets, Toby, Tootsie, Tiffany, and Tessa. 

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.

Sophia joined the SAH team in July of 2021. She graduated from UC Davis in 2020 with a B.S. in Animal Science specializing in Companion and Captive Animals and has a variety of animal experiences ranging from canine and feline to laboratory mice and exotic pets. Sophia desires to positively impact her community by helping provide compassionate patient care. Outside of work, Sophia enjoys creating digital artwork, exercising, and spending time with Soup, her curious and extremely food motivated hamster.

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.

Tiffany joined our SAH team in June of 2013 and got her RVT license later that year in November. She has a Chihuahua Pomeranian mix named Boo, a Pomeranian named Murphy, a German Shepherd named Rocky, and 2 cats: Tux and Trinity. Tiffany and her family go to Denver, Colorado every year to watch the Denver Bronco's play in their hometown. She also enjoys getting out of the house to shoot some hoops, going to the drive-in in her '65 El Camino, and laying with her pets and watching movies.

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.

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.

On 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 Elwood 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 the foothill community of Shingle Springs, California on her family's small acreage with a variety of horses, dogs, and cats. She completed her B.S in Biology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, graduating summa cum laude. Dr. Scheblein returned to UC Davis to complete her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2010 with an emphasis in small animal medicine. During that time, she also worked as a technician, with many hours spent right here at Sacramento Animal Hospital.

In addition to being a general practitioner, Dr. Scheblein completed her certifications in Canine Rehabilitation in 2018 and Veterinary Acupuncture in 2021 through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She hopes to help your furry friend excel – whether your adventure partner is conquering trails in Tahoe or spends their golden years walking around your local park.

Outside of the office, Dr. Scheblein shares her home with two German Shepherds & two kitties. A lover of the outdoors, she enjoys hiking & backpacking to beautiful places capturing landscape photography along the way. Dr. Scheblein also loves hosting dinner parties with friends & loves to bake!

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 Practioners.

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 animal behavior, dermatology, and soft tissue surgery. 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 special place in her heart for all Labrador retrievers, and her cat Mr. Grey, who she adopted after he was abandoned at her veterinary school during her final year there. Outside of work, Dr. Rangchi can be found paddle boarding on Lake Natomas, playing ultimate frisbee in the park, or traveling the world with her adventurous family.

Dr. Caroline Leichter 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. Leichter 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. Leichter and her fiance live with three very spoiled cats: Walter, Nyx, and Obie. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, building things in the garage, creating art, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. McFarren grew up in Carson City, NV. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont for an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, working as an EMT and backcountry responder. After college, she followed her love of animals and the outdoors to spend summers working as a mule packer and guide in the Sierra Nevada. This ultimately led to a job at a large animal veterinary hospital in Reno, where veterinary medicine quickly became her passion. Dr. McFarren graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.

Dr. McFarren’s professional interests are widespread, but if she had to choose a top three, it would be community and preventative medicine, internal medicine, and surgery (ok, maybe it’s a top four). She is excited to be on the team at SAH and looks forward to working with you and your pets!

Outside of work, Dr. McFarren enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her trusty border collie, Flint, spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and playing music.