Governor Animal Clinic, Inc. 858-453-6312

 
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Introducing Our Doctors

Dr. Ronald Schechter founded Governor Animal Clinic in 1977 and was joined by Dr. Kirk Feinberg in 1987, Dr. Julie Sorenson in 1998, and Dr. Heather Oman in 2003. Dr. Kathy Kaleka joined the practice in 2001, providing her services as an independent veterinary contractor when her schedule permits. 
As of August 6th, 2007, we are proud to introduce two more doctors to our GAC family; Dr. Elyse Bixby and Dr. Maria Benitez

Backing up our veterinarians is our nursing staff (in-patient and out-patient Registered Veterinary Technicians and assistants) and our reception staff.


Dr. Feinberg and "Dawn" 
                              (5-91/10-04)

Dr. Kirk Feinberg received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis in 1983. His special interest areas are internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, and ear disorders. He also uses naturopathic medication to augment his western medicine skills. Dr. Feinberg joined Dr. Schechter at Governor Animal Clinic in 1987. His outside interests include family time, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and gardening.      Update; The Feinberg's have a new addition....."Daisy", an Australian Shepherd who is as cute, sweet and smart as can be!


Enjoying eachothers company (L to R)  Dr.Kaleka, Dr.Oman & Dr.Sorenson.

Dr. Julie Sorenson received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Davis in 1991. After receiving her degree, Dr. Sorenson worked at UC. Davis and at practices in Sacramento for 5 years.
Dr. Sorenson began practicing at Governor Animal Cinic in 1996. Although she engages in general practice, her areas of special interests are dermatology, internal medicine, and preventive medicine.
The doctor's outside interests are spending time with her children and family, as well as traveling.


Dr. Schechter & Lyn

Dr. Ronald Schechter earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1964. He completed his post-graduate training at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital and at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Schechter was Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at U.C. Davis from 1966 to 1972, after which he was in group practices in San Francisco and San Diego.  In 1977 Dr. Schechter started his own practice when he purchased Governor Animal Clinic.  His areas of special interest are internal medicine, urology and endocrinology.

His outside interests include time with his family, traveling, and photography. Dr. Schechter and his wife Lyn share their home with their 6 dogs (all rescues), 1 boxer, 2 bichons, 2 maltese and 1 poodle.

 

 


Dr. Heather Oman and her husband, Daniel Oman, D.V.M.

Dr. Heather Oman comes to us after completing a one year internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Rancho Santa Fe during which she worked with a variety of specialists and practiced emergency medicine. Her personal areas of interest include internal medicine, neurology and exotic animal medicine.

Dr Oman received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1997, then attended Oregon State Universtiy College of Veterinary Medicine and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002.

Dr. Oman graduated with scholastic honors and awards such as;
AAHA Outstanding Veterinary Senior award,
American College of Veterinary Radiology Award,
E.E. Wedman Outstanding Veterinary Senior Award,
OSU/WSU Veterinary Medicine Deans List
and Phi Zeta Honor Society member.


The Oman Family   10-12-07   Congratulations!


Dr. Kaleka (left) & Michele Dollente, R.V.T., during our annual holiday party.

Dr. Kathy Kaleka earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1991. She joined Governor Animal Clinic in October 2001. Her special interest areas are feline medicine and anesthesia. Dr. Kaleka's outside interests are hiking, mountain biking, and volleyball.

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 Dr. Marie Benitez 

Dr. Benitez received her undergraduate degree from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2000, and then earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2006.  She recently completed a one year internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego (where they couldn't say enough wonderful things about her!).  Dr. Benitez has a warm, friendly and outgoing personality to balance her serious and dedicated side. 

She and her husband Jay share their home with "Hobie", a beautiful Golden Retriever.  Dr. Benitez loves to bake (boy, are we looking forward to that!), travel and go snowboarding.  


Dr. Elyse Bixby
 Dr. Elyse Bixby was born and raised in New Jersey.  She attended Rutgers College, and while there participated in environmental toxicology research.  After receiving a major in Biology and a minor in Marine and Coastal Sciences, she came to San Diego and studied sea turtles at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (a division of NOAA) in La Jolla.  A few years later she set her sights on veterinary medicine and became a veterinary assistant, and then a licensed R.V.T., putting her skills to work at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego.  Dr. Bixby attended the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and earned her D.V.M. degree in June 2006.  While at Davis, she participated in feline kidney transplantation research, then completed a one year rotating internship in general medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital. 
In her free time, Dr. Bixby enjoys skiing, tennis, birding and spending time with her friends, family and pets. 
Both she and Dr. Benitez (colleagues at V.S.H.) were so wonderful and full of talent that we had to have them both, so, we again ask you to help us make them feel at home here at Governor Animal Clinic and welcome them with open arms.  We couldn't be happier to have these two outstanding doctors to help us grow and better serve you and your pets. 

In order to provide you with a  wide area of expertise, we offer in-house specialty radiology interpretation/consultations, ultrasound imaging, and the services of a mobile board certified surgeon for orthopedic and advanced surgical procedures.  We work closely with an extensive group  of board certified dermatology, opthalmology and emergency services.  We strive to provide you with the best in quality medicine and surgery for your special friend.

 


Seth Wallack, D.V.M., Dip.ACVR
(San Diego Veterinary Imaging, Inc.)
Seth Wallack, D.V.M.
Diplomate, A.C.V.R.
Board Certified Specialist in Veterinary Radiology

Dr. Seth Wallack received his veterinary degree from the University of California, Davis. He then completed his small animal internship in general medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital. He completed his radiology residency at UC Davis in 2002 where he was on the staff for four years and a part time lecturer for 1 year. In 2005 Dr. Wallack opened the Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego, Inc. He is also the founder of DVMinsight, a veterinary teleradiology software company, founder of the American Association of Veterinary Radiologists (AAVR) which is a veterinary radiology technician certification group and on staff with InsightRadiology,a teleradiology service. In 2004 he self-published The Handbook of Veterinary Contrast Radiography.
 Dr. Wallack is board certified in radiology and has special interests in feline hyperthyroidism, small animal contrast ultrasound, MRI and exotic animal radiography, providing radiology consults for the San Diego Zoo. He has published scientific articles and book chapters, and has lectured on topics including CT, MRI, ultrasound, feline hyperthyroidism and radiography in both regional and national meetings. His most recent research was on feline hyperthyroidism and ultrasound contrast. His publications include MR estimation of intramedullary osteosarcoma extent, normal pituitary size in cats based on MR imaging and ultrasonographic findings associated with bowel infarction. While at UC Davis, Dr. Wallack actively participated in training of pre-clinical and fourth year veterinary students. He also provides continuing education training for private practitioners and technicians interested in pursuing a career in veterinary radiology.

 

 


 

Robert Botte, D.V.M.
Mobile Veterinary Surgical Specialist
Diplomate-American College of Veterinary Surgeons
(Consultant)

Dr. Robert Botte received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California at Davis in 1979. In 1980 he completed a one-year internship at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by four years of surgical residency training, two years at the University of Pennsylvania and two years at UC Davis. In 1985 he returned to his hometown San Diego to enter private surgical practice. In 1986 he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr. Botte has acquired broad clinical experience in small animal orthopedic general soft tissue surgery and has published articles pertaining to veterinary surgery. His main areas of interest are internal fixation of fractures, surgery of the gastrointestinal tract and thoracic surgery.