Meet the Team at ABC Veterinary Hospital Pacific Beach

Dr. Nicole Zaranek

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Zaranek developed a passion for animals at an early age and pursued that interest through volunteer work at farms, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and small animal clinics. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and ultimately earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College.

Dr. Zaranek is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to her patients. She finds the greatest fulfillment in helping pets recover from illness and building long-term relationships with both clients and their families. Her professional interests include dermatology and allergy management, as well as geriatric medicine, with a special focus on improving the quality of life for senior pets. She is also currently pursuing advanced certification in veterinary acupuncture.

Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys gardening, hiking and spending time with her family.

Dr. Robin Sayres

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Sayres is originally from Miami, Florida. She earned her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and finished her clinical year at Texas A&M. She then completed a small animal rotating internship in Denver, Colorado, and continued practicing for 3 more years there. She moved to San Diego a year ago with her cat, Thiago.

Her favorite part about being a veterinarian is helping animals (of course) and working with animals of all sizes. Her special interests are wildlife/conservation medicine, internal medicine, and neurology. In her free time, she loves to travel as much as possible. Otherwise, you’ll find her at the beach, hiking, or camping.

Dr. Liz Noppinger

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Noppinger was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating college, she drove across the country to California to pursue her career and graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Her special interests include behavior, emergency medicine, and oncology and hospice care.

In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and traveling with her family whenever time allows. Dr. Noppinger and her husband share their home with their son and daughter, and are actively looking for a bonded pair of cats to join the family!

Reva Raymond

Assistant Manager and Lead Veterinary Technician

Reva was born and raised in San Diego. She studied at Grossmont Health Occupation Center and is a fantastic technician.

She loves seeing her patients going home healthy and certainly does a huge part in keeping them healthy.

Reva enjoys spending quality time with her family. She shares her home with seven furry family members. It’s a farm with Pickles, Archer, Charlie, Alfred, Missa, Destiny, and Kevin.

Natalie Baloochesti

Registered Veterinary Technician, Dental Technician, Surgical Technician

Natalie was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She moved to San Diego, wanting a change of scenery and to be close to the beach. Natalie attended Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where she majored in Biology with a Concentration in Veterinary Technology. She has always had a fascination with animals and knew she wanted to work in the Veterinary Field.

She quickly discovered her passion for animal dentistry, pursuing her Registered Veterinary Technicians License and gaining experience performing anesthetic dental procedures. Natalie is a fur mama to her two dogs, Zoey and Chloe. On her off days, she enjoys being outside, at the beach, and with her friends.

Jaelyn McGuire

Registered Veterinary Technician, Dental Technician, Surgical Technician

Jaelyn was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She attended San Diego City College and pursued her passion for the Veterinary field shortly after, by attending Pima Medical Institute. Jaelyn became a licensed RVT in 2017, with a passion/focus in dentistry and surgical anesthesia. She has two of the best boys, Ozzy and Ollie, who love to adventure with her. Jaelyn is always outdoors, camping, hiking, surfing, and exploring on her off time. She is a San Diego native and always will be!

Fernanda Cervantes

Veterinary Technician

Fernanda Cervantes is a dedicated Veterinary Technician based in San Diego, where she was born. She plays a key role in supporting animal care and guiding pet owners to provide the best possible care. Her hands-on experience spans urgent care, spay and neuter clinics, and general veterinary practice.

Fernanda studied Veterinary Medicine in Mexicali, Baja California, and holds an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology in California. She is currently preparing to earn her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) license, with the goal of becoming a licensed Veterinarian in California. Outside of work, Fernanda enjoys life in San Diego with her 10-year-old rescue dog, Greta, and her family.

Charla Lowe-Valdez

Veterinary Assistant

Charla has lived in San Diego since she was 4 years old.

She has been working with animals for 17-plus years. Charla studied at Pima Medical Institute in Chula Vista.

Charla loves giving the best customer service possible, and she succeeds at it! Her favorite part of her job is when she gets to see a patient recover from illness or injury.

In her spare time, she makes succulent arrangements for friends and family. Charla shares her home with three cats and one dog, Taylor, Bootsee, Spookie, and Latte.

Ardel Trujillo

Registered Veterinary Technician, Dental Technician, Surgical Technician

Meet Ardel! A proud Coronado native, born and raised right here in Coronado, she brings both local roots and a growing passion for veterinary medicine to our team. At 23, Ardel discovered her calling in the veterinary field when she started her first role as a veterinary assistant—and she hasn’t looked back since.

She quickly fell in love with animal dentistry, where her passion for hygiene and attention to detail truly shine. There’s nothing she enjoys more than seeing the transformation from heavy tartar buildup to a clean, polished smile, and she’s excited to continue pursuing her goal of becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).

At home, Ardel is kept busy by her hardworking crew—Nukka, her Australian Cattle Dog (whose daily job mostly consists of expert-level snoozing 😄), and her cat, California.

When she’s off the clock, you can find her soaking up the outdoors, exploring nature, and enjoying her favorite local fish tacos.

We’re so happy to welcome Ardel to the team and can’t wait for you to meet her!

Schnell Williams

Veterinary Technician

Schnell Williams was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and brings the warmth, dedication, and vibrant spirit of her island roots to our veterinary team here in San Diego, CA.

With a deep love for animals and a passion for providing exceptional patient care, Schnell is known for her gentle handling, strong technical skills, and calm presence—especially during busy or stressful moments in the hospital.

She is committed to continual learning, teamwork, and making every pet and pet parent feel supported and understood. Whether she’s monitoring hospitalized patients or educating clients, Schnell approaches every task with compassion and professionalism.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring San Diego’s beaches, reading books, and spending time outdoors hiking.

We are proud to have Schnell as part of our veterinary family!

Christian La Salle

Veterinary Technician

Meet Christian! He was born and raised in El Centro, California. Christian brings a unique and dedicated background to our veterinary team. He began his journey in animal care through the U.S. Army, where he worked hands-on with military working dogs—an experience that sparked his passion for veterinary medicine and animal welfare.

After his time in the military, Chris chose to continue growing in the veterinary field, driven by his love for animals and desire to keep learning and advancing his skills as a technician. His calm demeanor, strong work ethic, and experience with working dogs make him a valuable part of our team.

Outside of work, you’ll find Chris spending time with his dog, Apollo, staying active with running, hiking, and working out, or experimenting in the kitchen—he loves to cook just as much as he loves caring for animals. We are happy to welcome him to our team.

Ivan Bernal Heredia

Veterinary Technician

Meet Ivan, a dedicated new member of our veterinary team with a strong passion for animal care and medicine. Born in Tijuana, Ivan moved to San Diego about 10 years ago to begin his journey in veterinary medicine.

Ivan was inspired to enter the field through family—his brother was already working in veterinary medicine and helped open the door for Ivan to begin gaining experience in the profession. From the start, Ivan knew he had found the right path. His passion for vet med comes from his deep love for animals and the opportunity to build a meaningful career doing work that truly matters to him.

Professionally, Ivan brings advanced skills in emergency medicine while also appreciating the steady rhythm and variety of general practice. He values both the fast-paced challenges of critical care and the relationships built in everyday patient visits.

Outside of work, Ivan enjoys continuing to learn and expand his knowledge across many subjects. He often visits museums and is passionate about education in all its forms. At home, he enjoys spending time with his wife, and together they unwind by playing video games and relaxing after busy days.

We’re excited to have Ivan on the team and look forward to the experience, skill, and heart he brings to our practice.

Summer Bernard Heredia

Customer Service Representative

Summer is a dedicated veterinary receptionist who brings years of hands-on experience as a veterinary assistant to the front desk. Her background in patient care allows her to support clients with compassion, clear communication, and a deep understanding of what pets need to feel safe and comforted. Summer’s calm, friendly presence helps create a welcoming environment for every pet family who walks through the door.

Outside of the clinic, Summer enjoys spending time with her husband and their beloved pets—two cats and a dog who keep life full of joy (and fur). She loves cooking and baking new recipes, cozying up with relaxing video games, visiting museums, and listening to or watching her favorite musicals. Summer is passionate about animals, kindness, and learning something new every day.

Devin Caldwell

Customer Service Representative

Meet Devin, our newest friendly face at the front desk! Born and raised in North County San Diego, she’s had a lifelong love for animals and always knew she wanted to be part of the veterinary field.
As a receptionist, Devin truly enjoys building connections with pet parents and making every visit feel welcoming from the moment they walk through the door. She especially loves greeting all the furry patients and helping create a positive experience for both pets and their people.

Outside of work, Devin has a passion for writing and enjoys expressing her creativity in her free time. She’s also a dedicated reptile enthusiast, caring for several geckos and snakes at home—so she has a special appreciation for all kinds of animals, big and small.

We’re so excited to have Devin as part of our team and can’t wait for you to meet her!