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WesternU / Pet Health Care / Pet Health Center / Clinical Staff

Clinical Staff

Meet our Clinical Staff, the heart and soul of our Pet Health Clinic (PHC). Our clinical staff is comprised of skilled and compassionate professionals that play a vital role in delivering top-notch veterinary care. From front desk Receptionists to Animal Care Assistants, our clinical staff ensures the smooth operation of our clinic, making every visit a positive and stress-free experience for you and your pet. Discover the exceptional commitment and expertise of our clinical staff team, working tirelessly to support our veterinarians and RVTs and provide excellent care to our cherished animal patients. At Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine’s Pet Health Center, we’re proud to celebrate the unwavering dedication of our clinical staff and offer a gateway to an inspiring career in the field of veterinary support.

Kristiann Alcantara Clinical Receptionist & Animal Care Assistant

Bio coming soon!
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Melanie Beltran, BS Veterinary Assistant

My reception position at the Pet Health Center was my introduction to Veterinary Medicine, but my love for animals began when I was a little girl!

I graduated from UC Riverside with a BS in Bioengineering in 2019 and began my engineering career with human medical devices in Irvine. As I started to foster puppies and volunteer at a local animal shelter, I decided to undergo a career shift into Vet Med in 2025.

In my free time, I play with my 3 Yorkies, study to become a Certified Veterinary Assistant, and work on home renovation projects.

Isabella DiDonato Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon!
Clinical Front Desk Receptionist/Cashier Christa Hooker holding a dog with medical equipment in the background

Christa Hooker Clinical Front Desk Receptionist/Cashier

Animals have always been a huge part of my life and I have always had a great love for them. I started working as a veterinary receptionist in 2010 after being unhappy in the retail industry and since I changed over, I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else.

When I’m not at work I spend most of my free time taking care of my girls, watching movies, spending time with my family and enjoying motherhood. I have 2 fur babies, Chewbacca and Leia, who are my world (aside from my girls of course).
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Karen Martinez Clinical Front Desk Receptionist

I grew up in Rialto, California. While I am currently a pre-vet student at Cal Poly Pomona, I actually started working at the PHC as a receptionist at the end of 2025. A little something about me is that I have 3 cats and a horse that I absolutely love. I hope to adopt more cats in the future. I enjoy spending time with my pets, hiking, drawing, watching movies, and especially listening to Broadway musicals.

Michael Mendoza Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon!
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Taylor Merthan Veterinary Assistant

I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I have volunteered at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro rehabilitating sick seals and sea lions. My love for animals has brought me here to WesternU CVM to gain clinical experience. Outside of work I enjoy going to concerts, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family!
Animal Care Assistant Devin Moore holding a cat in the PHC with medical equipment in the background

Devin Moore Veterinary Assistant

I have worked in the vet industry for quite a while, first volunteering as a vet tech at All Pets Medical and Surgical Center in high school from sophomore year to senior year. Even after I graduated, I worked there for an additional year before joining the WesternU CVM Pet Health Center team in June 2023. I am currently a senior at Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in Nutrition Science with an emphasis on animal nutrition. In terms of hobbies, I love to bake and one of my favorite things to bake during the holiday season is monkey bread. Everyone always asks me to make it every year.
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Mollie Radenbaugh Clinical Front Desk Receptionist

Bio coming soon!
WesternU PHC staff member Jan Neill Sabado Bean on a bench with her dog

Jan Neill Sabado Animal Care Assistant

I’ve been working for WesternU Pet Health Center since January 2023, but have worked in the animal care field for 4 years. I started volunteering at my former job (at an animal shelter) and gradually became Lead Animal Care Technician. I graduated in Milan, Italy as a Dietitian. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family.
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Kayla Velasquez Clinical Front Desk Receptionist

Animals have always had a way of finding me—whether I was ready or not! I began my career as a Registered Veterinary Technician, where I worked everywhere from general practice to the fast-paced world of emergency medicine to the heart of shelter medicine. Each role taught me something new, from staying calm under pressure to celebrating the small victories (like convincing a spicy cat that, yes, today is a good day for their checkup).

These days, I am a friendly face at the front desk and the calm voice on the phone. As a dedicated veterinary receptionist, I keep things running smoothly while offering compassion to clients and their beloved pets. When I’m not juggling appointments and patient visits, I’m at home with my own crew of rescue pets, who firmly believe they are the real bosses of the household. My passion for animal welfare doesn’t stop at the clinic door—I’m a firm believer in giving every animal a voice, a chance, and maybe even a treat (or three).
Animal Care Assistant Grace Weber sitting with her two pet dogs on a bench outside the PHC

Grace Weber Animal Care Assistant

I have always had a love for animals and have worked in the animal industry since 2019. I am currently working towards my B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Animal Science at Cal Poly Pomona with hopes of going to Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine to become a veterinarian, specifically focusing on shelter medicine. I have worked in various positions such as lead volunteer, kennel attendant, animal transition coordinator, lead technician, and animal care assistant. My favorite animal to work with in the hospital are dogs, specifically German Shepherds. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy working with and handling horses. Also, in my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family as well as being active outside playing my favorite sport, basketball.