Dr. Nakamura graduated from veterinary school in Tokyo, Japan, in 1996 and is an expert in veterinary dentistry. When not working, she enjoys hiking with her Chihuahua, Teddy, and Pomeranian, Millie, and playing tennis with her husband. She has two teenage children. She is also compassionate in caring for companion animals for people experiencing homelessness and volunteered at Paws Fund free vaccine clinics in Berkeley. She is also a member of the California Veterinary Medical Corps to help animals at natural disaster sites.

Dr. Garg started his interest in the veterinary field early as a child in his uncle’s veterinary practice. Dr. Garg spent a lot of time at his uncle’s clinic, developing a strong passion for animals and veterinary medicine very naturally. Dr. Garg started his DVM program in 1993 and graduated college with honor degree in veterinary science from College of veterinary Sciences Anjora, India in 2003. After obtaining his DVM license, Dr. Garg decided to pursue a master’s degree and then Ph.D. in Veterinary Immunology from Purdue University, Indiana, USA. He enjoys sharing his knowledge to educate his clients about the health concerns of their pets. He enjoys riddles to solve difficult internal medicine cases with a special interest in major soft tissue surgeries, he adds “however, my passion is client education. Having a veterinarian that you can really talk to about your pet’s needs is the key to a successful owner-veterinarian relationship.”

Dr. Jocelyn Thurm was born in Connecticut but grew up mainly in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. She has always had a fondness for animals and has had a wide range of pets over the years, ranging from cats, dogs, rats, hamsters, fish, and birds to the occasional snake and lizard. At age 10, she developed an interest in horses and spent the next several years taking riding lessons and leasing various horses. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with triple honors and in the top 10% of her class, she spent the next few years working as a veterinary technician in a small animal hospital in Oakland. She also volunteered with a horse veterinarian during this time. She then attended the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her Doctorate in 2002.

As a new veterinarian, she practiced in San Leandro and in Oakland until 2011, when her third child was born. She then took a five-year break to focus on raising her young children and opening her own business designing, drafting, and selling PDF sewing patterns for children’s clothing. Before starting ACH in September of 2022, she had worked as a small animal practitioner in a busy practice in Alameda since 2016.

Dr. Thurm lives in the Piedmont area of Oakland with her husband, three kids, cat, and bearded dragon. Her main veterinary goals are providing compassionate care and maximizing the health and well-being of all the furry friends who come through our door. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, sewing, reading, crafts, and traveling.

Dr. Maag grew up in the East Bay and attended the University of Oregon for his undergraduate studies. While in college, he developed a passion for working with animals through volunteering with a local, non-profit, high-volume spay and neuter clinic. He attended veterinary school at Midwestern University, where he served as the president of the university’s American Veterinary Dental chapter. While in veterinary school, Dr. Maag also won the Student One Health Award by researching Rocky Mountain spotted fever outbreaks in the American Southwest. In his off time, Dr. Maag enjoys hiking, trying out new local restaurants, and spending time with his wife and their miniature schnauzer, Poppy. Dr. Maag is excited to join the ACH Walnut Creek team and begin serving the local community.

Dr. Timothy Sellmeyer obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri in 2002. He then completed a rotating small animal internship at Kansas State University in 2003. Immediately following his internship, Dr. Sellmeyer began his surgical residency at Mission MedVet in Mission, Kansas. After completion of his residency in 2006 he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area that same year as an associate surgeon with Veterinary Surgical Associates in Concord.  He became board certified in small animal surgery in 2007, and started the Sage, Dublin surgical service in 2008.  In 2018 he joined Northern California Veterinary Surgical.

Tim’s surgical interests include all orthopedic procedures, especially challenging fracture repairs, and joint surgery. He is a member of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, attending their conference yearly. Tim also enjoys the placement of ureteral stents and subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUBs) systems.

Tim grew up in Missouri, with his early childhood in St. Louis and later moved to Craig, MO where he attended High School. He enjoys traveling, hiking, brewing beer, and cheering for his Mizzou Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Blues.

Dr. Bianca Boudreau grew up in Canada and graduated with a DVM from the University of Montreal in 2008. After veterinary school, she moved to Southfield, Michigan where she completed a 1-year rotating internship at BluePearl Veterinary Partners followed by a 1-year surgical internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego, in California. She then completed a 3-year small animal surgery residency at Michigan State University. She became board certified in small animal surgery in 2014. Before joining Northern California Veterinary Surgical in 2018, Dr. Boudreau worked as an associate-professor at Michigan State University as well as an associate surgeon at Sage in Dublin.

Bianca’s surgical interest include soft tissue, oncologic and reconstructive surgeries. She is a member of the Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery and attend their conference yearly.

Bianca enjoys spending time with her two cats, Cosmo and Maya. She also likes hiking, swimming, reading, exploring the Bay Area and a good glass of wine.

Dr. West graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Zoology in 1989 and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. She completed a small animal internship at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and a Radiology Residency at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Athens in 1998. She has been a board-certified veterinary radiologist since 1998 and has run a successful radiology practice, West Radiologic Services, since June 1, 2000.

Dr. West currently lives in California with her husband Eric and her feline
overlords, Squirrel and Muppet. She is an EMT with the local volunteer fire department and she enjoys the ocean, reading, and traveling in her spare time.

Practice Manager

Nhi has been working in the animal field for over five years as a vet technician and is also a licensed phlebotomist. She has always been devoted to treating animals and giving them the best care possible. She currently has a German shepherd, a chihuahua/terrier mix, and her new addition to the family, a kitten named Mocha. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, training, working out, and feeding her sushi addiction. 

Senior Manager

Merlinda had a childhood dream of working with animals. She entered the veterinary field in 2010, thanks to her good friend and registered veterinary technician, Lily. As she built and expanded her experience in this field from receptionist to veterinary technician, to training staff, to practice manager of ten years, she has expanded and cross-trained many professionals in this industry. She is excited to be a part of Animal Care Hospital of Walnut Creek’s team and work alongside some amazingly talented individuals. When not working, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring different cuisines around the Bay Area. She also has a passion for the beauty industry and is a licensed manicurist and loves spending time with family and friends.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Hazel grew up alongside a large tabby cat named Sylvester, and from then on, she always knew she loved being around four-legged friends. She later turned that love into her passion after obtaining her RVT license in 2016. When she is not at work, she enjoys being outdoors with her dog, Reggie, and spending time in the garden with her two cats, Chai and Hazel Jr. (Hazel Jr. is a rescue cat named Hazel at the shelter).

Registered Veterinary Technician

As a young girl, Jordyn harbored a profound aspiration: to nurture and protect animals, ensuring their well-being and enabling them to thrive. Fuelled by a deep empathy and an innate understanding of domesticated creatures, coupled with a curiosity for veterinary medicine, she knew that this was her calling. Jordyn’s journey towards fulfillment began with the completion of her Associates degree in animal science in November 2022. Her dedication was further evidenced by her successful completion of the Veterinary Technician National Exam in April 2023, culminating in the acquisition of her veterinary technician license. Now armed with  knowledge and credentials, Jordyn approaches her vocation with enthusiasm and boundless passion. Her innate ability to forge connections, both with pet owners and their beloved companions, underscores her commitment to ensuring the well-being of all under her care.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Angela is an aspiring veterinarian with a passion for animals that started at a young age. As a child, she always had the compassion to help animals in any way she could, such as feeding stray cats and adopting them into her home. She began her career path as a technician in 2008 and earned her B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Zoology from SFSU. The experience and exhilaration of the field have driven her to substantiate her passion for pursuing a career as a veterinarian. In her free time, she volunteers at the Veterinary Hospital at Oakland Zoo and likes to spend quality time with her two fur babies, a husky/shepherd mix and an American Eskimo. Together, they enjoy hikes or even a simple game of tug of war.

Veterinary Technician

Veronica has always known she wanted to work with animals and help make their lives and the lives of their owners better. She graduated from Chico State with a degree in Animal Science Pre-Vet. Her passion and love for animals grew more as she volunteered at zoos and farms. She is the proud mama to her cat, Leia. She’s a big SF Giants fan and when she is not working, she is either attending a game with her husband, hanging out with her family or working out. 

Veterinary Technician

Eri is a loving mother and wife who always dreamed of working with animals when she was growing up. She graduated from vet tech school in both Japan and Australia and has been working with animals for the past six years with the dream of becoming an RVT. Her hobbies include exploring new cafes and restaurants and practicing her dog grooming skills.

Veterinary Technician

Hasuki (Husky) is a very sweet, sociable, and intelligent person. She grew up in Okinawa, Japan, and has always aspired to be a veterinary technician. During her free time, Hasuki enjoys spending time with her two loving dogs Jacks and Scarlett. She always enjoys watching Korean dramas, hiking, and camping.

Veterinary Technician

Alwin has been fascinated with biology and animals ever since he was a young lad. He’s always had a deep passion for dogs but, unfortunately, had never had the room to own one. Because of this, he decided to become a proud owner of more exotic critters, like invertebrates and reptiles. Alwin is currently in college pursuing a degree in biology in hopes of working in a longevity research lab. In his downtime, he enjoys nature, exercise, fighting, chess, and satisfying his curious mind by learning new things. His passion for science, animals, and being a great all-around person is unmatched, so working as a vet tech is the perfect fit for him!

Veterinary Assistant

Sophia has had a passion for animals since she was a little girl. Growing up, she had a multitude of pets including dogs, cats, snakes, fish, birds and a rabbit. Her love for animal companions followed her into adulthood and she now has 4 fur babies of her own. She has been working in the veterinary field for over 3 years and will continue on this path for many more years to come.

Veterinary Assistant

I have always loved animals and been interested in veterinary medicine. Recently, I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Outside of school and work I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and pomeranian Cutie. 

Veterinary Assistant

As a dedicated Veterinary Assistant at Animal Care Hospital, Linsey  brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for veterinary medicine. Specializing in the care of felines and exotic species, Linsey has had the unique opportunity to work with a diverse array of animals, including tigers, lemurs, birds and various other exotic creatures.

Currently pursuing a career in zoology, Linsey’s expertise lies in her profound love for working with animals from around the world. Her hands-on experience with these unique animals, combined with her commitment to advancing her knowledge in zoology, on a global level underscores her dedication to animal care, conservation and advocacy.

Linsey believes having a personal and inclusive experience makes a difference to each patient and is a driving force in her professional approach, enabling her to tackle complex challenges and provide exceptional care. Her enthusiasm and skill set make her a valuable asset in the field of veterinary medicine, and she is excited about the future contributions she will make to the field.

Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon.

Veterinary Assistant

Jennifer has been dedicated to the veterinary field for about three years. She is the proud pet parent of three fur babies: Mysterio, Rico Suave, and Gigi. When she’s not caring for animals at work, Jennifer enjoys exploring the outdoors and going on hikes.

Veterinary Assistant

Growing up, Samantha has always loved and cared for animals. Graduating from Carrington College earning her Associates in Animal Science back in 2022, she has been dedicated to the field for 2 years and is currently pursuing her RVT license. She is a loving pet parent to Mr. Beans, a very energetic Dachshund/Jack Russell Terrier mix and her adorable rescued orange tabby cat Kiko. During her free time she loves to go hiking/camping with family, listen to music, read books, and try new foods. 

Kennel Assistant/Veterinary Assistant

I’m a recent graduate from UC Davis with a Bachelor’s in Animal Science and a specialization in companion animals. I have experience working with research animals, exotic animals, livestock, and wildlife. But, now I’m super excited to help provide the cats and dogs at ACH with the best possible care that leaves them feeling safe and loved. In my free time I love reading, baking, being outdoors, and hanging out with friends or my pet pigeon and tortoise. 

Receptionist/Kennel Assistant

Aley has always loved animals. Growing up she had two dogs, a cat, and two birds. Her dogs were a German Shepherd and a small Terrier/Chihuahua mix. Her cat, CousCous, was a very old sweetheart Siamese who learned his name and how to sit. Her birds were parakeets whom she adopted because they came in with injuries. She helped nurse them back to health. Currently, she’s working her way to becoming a registered vet technician! During her free time, she enjoys going camping, reading a good book, or playing video games. She also volunteers at Oakland Animal Services and fosters fur babies whenever she can.

Receptionist

Bella has always had a love for animals, even after getting her degree in Video Editing. In the future, she wants to become more involved with animals and become an RVT. She currently has a dog named Apollo and a cat named Athena. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, enjoys a good workout, and is always down to try new foods!

Receptionist

Lauren is a very Smart and Kind individual who has been working in the veterinary field for about 2 years. During that time she created a passion for responsibly breeding French Bulldogs. She currently has 3 French Bulldogs of her own, 1 American Bully and a German Shepherd. Outside of the Hospital, she loves to spend time with her family, cook, and go to car events. 

Kennel Assistant

Jordan has been interested in veterinary medicine from a very young age and is thrilled to now be working in the field. Jordan’s love for animals has always been a prominent aspect of her character, present in her eleven years of competitive horseback riding, her love and care of her personal pets, and now here, in her job at ACH. Outside of ACH, Jordan works in equine labor and delivery and neonatal foal care, trains retired racehorses, and volunteers in equine-assisted therapy for children with disabilities. Jordan aspires to pursue higher education in the veterinary field with hopes of earning her DVM with a specialty in large animals. 

Kennel Assistant

Bio coming soon.

Kennel Assistant

I was born in Saitama, Japan and grew up with a black cat and a miniature dachshund. I was a system programmer for 4 years in Tokyo before moving to the U.S.

I am a dog and cat lover! I currently have two lovely cats: mama cat “Olivia” and her daughter “Titi”.

In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, watching Youtube, baking, drawing, and of course meeting dogs and cats!