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.
Margaret Herndon, RVT, Client Services Representative
I have always been passionate about animals. As a child, I learned how to care for goldfish and parakeets. Our family has expanded to dogs, cats, horses, and chickens. Knowing from a young age that I wanted to work in veterinary medicine, I became a Registered Veterinary Technician.
Since joining this wonderful clinic in 2001, I have gained extensive experience as a technician working with the veterinarians and staff. Nowadays, I use my skills at the front desk, assisting clients and their pets with scheduling, triaging calls, and checking patients in and out, among other duties. As the clinic works together as a team, I can use my technician skills and knowledge whenever needed.
Outside the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets, horseback riding, hiking, and gardening.
The integrity, compassion, and dedication of the veterinarians and my fellow employees, make working here incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable. I look forward to helping you and your pets with the care they deserve.
Audrey Jonoubeh, Registered Veterinary Technician
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 has obtained her license as a Registered Veterinary Technician and is excited to share her knowledge and care with all clients and patients seen at Camino Real Pet Clinic.
“Camino Real Pet Clinic is my little home away from home; I am very fortunate to be working with such intelligent and compassionate Veterinarians, Technicians, Assistants, and Receptionists.”
Julie Bolstad, Veterinary Assistant
Julie came to Camino Real after years of searching for how to put her love of animals to good use. Growing up she always wanted to work at a zoo, and spent more time with her friends and neighbors animals than the people. After doing some work for a pet sitting app, some friends suggested veterinary medicine where she found her place.
“Working here is the absolute best. Everyone is extremely kind, friendly and loves what they do. I feel so lucky to have found this little second family.”
In her spare time Julie enjoys hanging out at home with her creatures, her cat Zelda, and chinchillas, Pisco and Pan. She also likes camping, hiking and any outdoor adventure she can find.
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.
Sydney Clifton, Veterinary Assistant
Sydney’s love for animals began with her dogs growing up. To those that know her, it was a surprise she did not start working in the veterinary field until finding Camino Real Pet Clinic in February 2024.
Through her volunteer work at The Marine Mammal Center, Sydney learned she could handle assisting in the medical well-being of animals.
“I am so grateful to have found a place with so much warmth in our regard for each other, and our patients.”
Outside of work, she loves to read, create, travel, stare at pinnipeds, and hang out with her three dogs: Koda, Sammy Rue, and Comet.
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.
Sydney Gellner, Veterinary Assistant
Sydney’s love for animals goes back as far as she can remember - she even took her first steps clinging to a dog! She has harbored a fascination for all creatures great and small ever since. Sydney worked in radio and journalism before recognizing her true calling in veterinary medicine. She decided to take the leap in 2018 and has never looked back! She started out in the field as a receptionist, but now works as an assistant and aims to become certified in the near future.
“Camino Real Pet Clinic is truly a special place to work and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help the animals in my community!”
When she’s not in the clinic, Sydney enjoys travel, reading, crossword puzzles, soccer, trail running, and spending time with her sassy dachshund Babka.
Jessica Gimnicher, Veterinary Assistant
After working in the field for over 10 years, I feel blessed to have found Camino Real Pet Clinic. Everyone loves what they do and strives to provide excellent care for our patients.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, and dog Zero. In my free time I enjoy board games and great food.
Danielle O'Donnell, Veterinary Assistant
Danielle started in the vet field in 2014. After a few years at another clinic she came here where she assists with various medical and surgical procedures. She always knew she had a passion for the well-being of all animals, starting her career in the veterinary field before graduating high school.
“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.
Eneida Tolbert, Veterinary Assistant
Eneida’s family had a big influence on her love for animals. From fostering animals throughout her childhood and having a variety of pets to volunteering at boarding facilities, she knew the veterinary field was where she belonged.
Eneida began working in the veterinary field in 2019 as a kennel tech and quickly moved her way up to veterinary assisting. After taking a brief break from the field to further her education and achieve her medical assisting certification, she ultimately found her way back into the field through her passion for animals.
“I am extremely fortunate in finding such passionate, supportive staff such as Camino Real pet clinic.”
Eneida spends most of her days at the park reading a book or at your local thrift shop. She has a friendly cat named Tarantino who fully believes he can do anything a human can.
Amanda Sanchez, Client Services Manager
As our client service manager, Amanda keeps the clinic running smoothly by assisting doctors and technicians, completing misc tasks and making sure clients are well informed and satisfied with their experience. Providing the best possible experience for our patients and clients is her top priority. Amanda joined the CRPC team in March 2014.
“I feel very blessed to work with such an amazing, dedicated, hard working team. We truly are family.”
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, hiking, gardening and attending sporting events.
Laura Vaihola, Client Services Representative
Laura joined the Camino Real Pet Clinic team in March 2014. As a client services representative, 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.