Staff of Camino Real Pet Clinic
Lena Ruggiero, Practice Manager
As the Practice Manager at Camino Real Pet Clinic, Lena's responsibilities include maintaining the hospitals excellent reputation and filling in around the clinic wherever she is needed. She joined our veterinary team in February 2007.
"The camaraderie here is amazing," she says. "We work as a team to provide the best care possible for our patients and clients. Also, we have pretty amazing clients!"
At home, Lena cares for three Great Danes, Chevy, Crash and Pazzo. In her free time, she enjoys camping, home improvement projects and spending time with her family and dogs.
Scott Farabee, Registered Veterinary Technician
Scott is a skilled and easy-going veterinary technician at Camino Real Pet Clinic. His responsibilities include taking radiographs, monitoring patients under anesthesia, handling laboratory samples and assisting our doctors. Scott has an associate's degree from Foothill College and is a licensed veterinary technician in California. He joined our clinic in 1999.
"This is a great practice where I see clients and patients that I have known for over a decade," he says. "The doctors that I work closely with have a love of medicine and their patients."
Scott has a cat named Gilbert. Outside work, he enjoys Formula One racing, cycling and spending time with his family.
Chelsea Fellows, Certified Veterinary Assistant
Compassionate and caring, Chelsea joined the Camino Real Pet Clinic in September 2009. Her responsibilities include bloodwork, nail trims, ear cleaning, dental and surgical assistance, medications and patient care.
"Everyone here is very dedicated to loving and caring for the animals that we see and we all want what is best for our patients," she says. "We are a small clinic, we all are like family and it is a wonderful environment to work in. I am very blessed to be here and around animals all day."
When not at work, Chelsea loves hiking and going to the beach with her dog Mac. She also has a black cat named Panda Ruckus.
Jessica Gimnicher, Veterinary Assistant
After working in the field for over 10 years, I feel blessed to have found Camino Real Pet clinic. Every one loves what they do and strives to provide excellent care for our patients.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband, and dog Zero. On my free time I enjoy board games and great food.
Margaret Herndon, Registered Veterinary Technician
Dedicated and friendly, Margaret has been a veterinary technician at Camino Real Pet Clinic since May 2001. Her responsibilities include general veterinary nursing, placing IV catheters, taking radiographs and assisting the doctors during exams and surgery. She is a registered veterinary technician in California.
"We have a very dedicated team that works well together, always with the patient in mind," she says.
Margaret has two cats, a dog, three horses and six rescue chickens. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, camping and gardening.
Amanda Sanchez, Receptionist
As our receptionist, Amanda handles checking patients in and out, scheduling appointments and surgeries, prepping charts, answering the phone, filing, assisting doctors and technicians and other client services. Providing the best possible experience for our patients and clients is her top priority. Amanda joined the Camino Real Pet Clinic team in March 2014.
"I love that the clinic has a very dedicated clientele as well as a close knit staff," she says. "Everyone works very well together, helps each other and gets along well."
Outside work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her two sons, cooking and going to sporting events.
Mina Sato, Veterinary Technician
As a veterinary technician, Mina's responsibilities include assisting our doctors and managing the pharmacy inventory. She has a bachelor's degree from Chuo University in Japan and an associate's degree from Pierce College in Los Angeles. She has been a veterinary technician since 1989 and joined Camino Real Pet Clinic in 2004. Mina also provides translation services to our Japanese clients when needed.
"I love working in this clinic because the doctors and the staff are so caring, they treat your animals like your own pet," she says.
At home, Mina cares for a mixed breed dog named Sara and a Burmese named Cora. In her spare time, she enjoys watching sports, especially baseball and sumo wrestling, and cooking Japanese food.
Laura Vaihola, Receptionist
Laura joined the Camino Real Pet Clinic team in March 2014. As a receptionist, her duties include greeting customers, checking patients in and out, answering the phones, and filing. She has over 25 years of veterinary hospital experience.
"I enjoy working with all the employees here and I look forward to coming in to work," she says. "We have excellent doctors with strong ethics."
Laura has a pug named Kirby. She spends most of her free time attending her four children's sports activities. She also enjoys reading, shopping and the beach.
Audrey Jonoubeh, Veterinary Assistant
Passionate and loving, Audrey has always strived to help with the greater health of animals. As a child, she has always wanted to pursue a career within the Veterinary field. Growing up with dogs since childhood has given Audrey the tools to achieve these goals. She is currently going to school to receive a Registered Veterinary Technicians license.
"Camino Real Pet Clinic is my little home away from home; I am very fortunate to be working with such intelligent and compassionate Veterinarians and technicians."
Shyla Chapman, Veterinary Assistant
Shyla has worked with animals her entire life. She has worked in the veterinary field since 2011. Shyla is very passionate about animals, both large and small. She spends her days off trail riding her horse all over the Bay Area. She also enjoys trail riding in National forests in California and Oregon.
"Working with everyone at Camino Real Pet Clinic is like working with family. It is such a great environment here."
Danielle O'Donnell, Veterinary Assistant
Danielle has five years of experience assisting veterinarians in various medical and surgical procedures. She always knew she had a passion for the health and well-being of all animals, starting her career in the veterinary field before graduating high school. Danielle joined Camino Real Pet Clini in August of 2018.
"I am thankful to have found Camino Real Pet Clinic. All the staff and doctors here love what we do, and have a good time doing it."
Danielle spends her free time at home being a mother to her two crazy cats named Buddy and Cookie. She also enjoys quality time with her friends and family.
Adrienne Masini, Veterinary Assistant
Adrienne's love of animals first began with her dog named Belle. She started off working at a local grooming shop and then moved her way into Veterinary Medicine. She has been working as a Veterinary Assistant around the local Bay Area since 2000. She has been at Camino Real Pet Clinic since 2015. Adrienne's responsibilities include rooming patients, drawing blood, filling medications, and patient care.
"I feel I bring a lot of knowledge and experience to this practice. Everyone here does a great job teaching each other."
Adrienne spends her free time hanging around her home with her dogs and cat. She loves to travel with her husband and trying new local restaraunts.
Melissa Bunac, Certified Veterinary Assistant
Melissa joined our team in December 2020 as a Veterinary Assistant. After working in the pet care industry for nearly 7 years, she decided to take the plunge and pursue a career in the Veterinary field. She is currently a student at Foothill College completing the Veterinary Assisting program working towards the goal of one day becoming a registered Veterinary Technician. Some of her favorite duties in our clinic include assisting the doctors during exams, taking radiographs, and filling medications.
“I feel so fortunate to have found a clinic filled with such compassionate, kind, and skilled individuals who are dedicated to providing quality care for our patients. Camino Real Pet Clinic has allowed me to finally find my purpose- working towards the greater good of the health and well-being of animals.”
Melissa enjoys spending her free time going on spontaneous adventures along the highway 1 coast, with Big Sur being one of her favorite spots. The best adventures are the ones where her Pit Bull mix Penelope can accompany her. She loves spending time with her family doing things such as camping, boating, jet skiing, snowboarding and going on hikes together.
Priscilla Fiallos, Veterinary Assistant
Priscilla joined the team in August of 2020. Being around pets all her life, her passion in caring for animals has always been a main interest. Camino Real Pet Clinic gave her the opportunity to finally pursue her career in the veterinary field. Her responsibilities include assisting doctors, medical procedures such as: blood draws, nail trims, ear cleanings, administering medications, and her most favorite, taking radiographs.
“I wish I could have found Camino Real Pet Clinic sooner! I am truly thankful to work with such a genuinely caring and supporting team who are always willing to help out each other, and especially our patients."
At home, Priscilla cares for her small poodle mix named Chika, and her big english bulldog, Taz. She also enjoys spending her free time traveling with her fiancé, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.