Our Team
The people behind the care.
A small, dedicated team who get to know you and your pets by name — real veterinary expertise, with the warmth of a neighbor.
The Team
Meet your care team.
The people who'll know your pet — and you — by name.
Dr. Crystal Gerards, BVSc BVMS
Medical Director
Dr. Gerards is a Ventura County local with a love for travel, running, and swimming. She comes to us with over a decade of experience as a small animal veterinarian. She has lived and practiced veterinary medicine in many places, including Northern California and Perth, Australia. She has traveled to Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, Alaska, and New Zealand. She has a Dutch husband, 2 young boys, 5 Fur-babies, and a tortoise!
Dr. Gerards loves taking care of people and their beloved pets. She has a special interest in internal medicine cases, soft tissue surgeries, dentistry, and dermatology. She has also completed speciality training in Abdominal and Cardiac Ultrasound (Echocardiography). Dr. Gerards is certified in veterinary sonography and can provide outpatient ultrasounds and echocardiography with radiologist review, so our patients have access to important diagnostics all in one place.
She can't wait to meet you and your furry friends!
Dr. Jasmine Amini, DVM
Urgent Care/Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Amini grew up in the Boston area and graduated with a BA in International Relations from Tufts University. After a brief stint in finance she went back to school to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian and graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006.
She completed 2 internships in Emergency/Critical Care medicine and moved to California in 2009. She has returned to Los Angeles after trying out the Bay Area and is gladly trading the fog for the sunshine.
Outside of work she keeps busy trying pretty much everything at least once, and eating all of the things. She and her husband live with 3 fluffy dogs and 2 fluffy cats.
Chelsea Schaefer, RVT
Hospital Manager
Chelsea is a Registered Veterinary Technician who began her career with five years in avian and exotic general practice before spending eleven years in emergency and critical care, where she developed a special interest in endoscopy and sonography. She believes that truly exceptional veterinary medicine begins with caring for both pets and the people who love them, a philosophy that has shaped the culture she and the CCVC team are building together.
Outside of the hospital, Chelsea leads veterinary care at Apex Protection Project, a wolf and wolfdog sanctuary. Her passion for wolves was the driving force behind her decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, and today she continues to focus her volunteer work on wildlife advocacy and the care of ambassador wolves.
Her involvement in rescue extends well beyond the sanctuary. At home, Chelsea has a habit of taking in the world’s unwanted misfits and stubborn working breeds. The current roster includes Valkyrie, a shepherd mix; Ghost, a Turkish Kangal; a black cat who runs the household with an iron paw; and JB, a 70-pound sulcata tortoise listed as her life partner on all legal documents.
Gillian Miller
Assistant Hospital Manager
Gillian was born in Zimbabwe, spent many years living in South Africa, and has called the United States home since 1988. A lifelong animal lover, she has been fortunate to experience countless safaris, which further deepened her appreciation and respect for animals of all kinds.
She is passionate about helping pets live long, healthy lives and believes that educating pet owners is one of the most important parts of veterinary care. Gillian enjoys working closely with clients, ensuring they understand the options available for their pets so they can make informed decisions with confidence.
Gillian is married and is the proud mother of three grown children and grandmother to one grandson. She currently shares her home with Tuxedo, her beloved Border Collie/Australian Cattle Dog mix, who keeps her active and entertained.
When she's not at the hospital, Gillian enjoys walking Tuxedo, cooking for her family, spending time with her extended family, playing mahjong with friends, knitting, and reading.
Gillian genuinely loves what she does and feels incredibly fortunate to be part of a profession that allows her to make a positive difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them every day.
Our Staff
Meet our staff.
RVTs
Katie Robar
Registered Veterinary Technician
Katie was born and raised in Santa Paula, California. She discovered her passion for animal care at an early age. After graduating high school, Katie began her career working at Canine Adoption and Rescue League, where she gained valuable hands-on experience and knew that veterinary medicine was the path she wanted to pursue.
In 2009, Katie began working at her first veterinary hospital in Santa Barbara. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to grow her skills and experience across both general practice and urgent care. After more than a decade of dedication to the field, Katie earned her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certification in 2021.
With 17 years of experience in veterinary medicine, she is passionate about providing compassionate, knowledgeable care to patients while supporting their families through every stage of their pets’ lives. Katie especially values the relationships built with both patients and their people and the opportunity to make a positive difference in their lives.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, their two kids, and their own little animal family. Katie has two dogs, Rocco and Ro, a snake affectionately known as Danger Noodle, and a leopard gecko Leah. When she is not at the hospital, you’ll most likely find her enjoying time with her family and, of course, surrounded by animals!
Tatyana Sneed
Registered Veterinary Technician
Tatyana is a Registered Veterinary Technician who has always had a genuine love for animals and the people who care for them. She is passionate about providing compassionate, attentive patient care and making sure every patient feels as comfortable and safe as possible.
Tatyana enjoys being hands-on and being part of a team, whether she is assisting with surgery and anesthesia, monitoring patients, providing nursing care, or helping clients feel confident in their pet’s care. She is naturally curious and always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and become a better technician.
She truly believes that veterinary medicine is about more than treating an animal; it’s about advocating for them and building trust with their families. She is grateful to be in a profession where she can make a difference every day.
Veterinary Assistants
William Porter
Veterinary Assistant
William is a 25-year-old Veterinary Assistant originally from Santa Clarita, California. He has six years of experience in veterinary medicine, including four years in general practice and two years in emergency medicine. He is currently working toward becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician while attending Moorpark College.
William enjoys the hands-on side of veterinary medicine and being able to help both patients and their owners through stressful situations. His experience in both general practice and emergency medicine has allowed him to work with a wide variety of cases and continue building his skills in patient care.
Outside of veterinary medicine, William is continuing his education with the long-term goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. He hopes to build on the medical knowledge and experience he has gained in veterinary medicine as he continues pursuing a career in healthcare.
In his free time, William enjoys staying active, traveling, spending time with animals, and continuing to learn and grow both personally and professionally.
Sara Drickman
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Sara holds an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design and Visual Effects. However, seeking a career aligned with her true passions, she transitioned into veterinary medicine just before the pandemic. Thriving in the fast-paced, ever-changing environment, she quickly knew she had found her true calling. Starting as a receptionist, Sara progressed to Lead Receptionist, cross-trained as a Veterinary Assistant, and eventually stepped into Office Manager and Practice Manager roles. She later served as a Lead Remote CSR, supporting specialty departments like exotics, internal medicine, and surgery.
Having worked across local general practices, Sara is thrilled to bring her versatile experience to CCVC. She is deeply committed to high-quality medicine, ensuring every patient receives compassionate care while guiding pet parents so they feel fully supported throughout the entire process. Looking ahead, her ultimate goal is to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.
A lifelong animal lover, Sara has cared for everything from dogs, birds, and fish to a rat and a turtle, though cats hold a special place in her heart. Today, she shares her home with two Marvel-inspired cats, Bucky and Natasha. Outside of the clinic, Sara is an avid tea drinker who loves cozy days inside with a steaming mug, as well as attending live concerts, going to Disneyland, hiking local trails, and spending quality time with close friends.
Client Experience Coordinators
Kimberly Rebolledo
Client Experience Lead
Kimberly is a California girl through and through. She was born and raised here, though she's also braved the snowy winters of Alaska and the rainy days of Washington State before happily returning to the sunshine. Along the way, she found her calling in animal medicine, and she's spent the last 7 years caring for pets and the people who love them.
At CCVC, Kimberly is the friendly face making sure your visit goes off without a hitch, from booking the appointment to the last belly rub on the way out. She loves getting to know our patients (and sneaking in a few extra pets whenever she can).
At home, Kimberly is kept on her toes by her 10-year-old son and her two pups, Olive and Charlie, who all firmly believe they're the real bosses of the house. When she's off the clock, you'll find her lost in a good book or counting down the days to the family's next Disney adventure.
Dora Barrientos
Client Experience Coordinator
Dora is a Client Experience Coordinator with a passion for hiking, writing, and living out her faith.
She is a lifelong animal lover with an affection for senior animals. Dora is currently fostering a special needs French bulldog alongside her twin sister and plans to foster and rehabilitate more in the future.
Outside the hospital, you can find Dora working on her debut memoir, hiking, and caring for the people and animals around her.
Doctor’s Assistants
Paola Ornelas
Doctor’s Assistant
Paola was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She brings over 10 years of experience in client care, including 5 years in veterinary medicine.
Paola always knew she wanted to work with animals. As a child, her father would bring home orphaned and stray animals for the family to care for, and helping care for them sparked her lifelong love for animals.
Outside of the hospital, Paola loves to travel. Whenever she visits a new place, she always finds a local zoo or animal sanctuary to visit.
Client Billing Supervisor
Cynthia Madrid
Client Billing Supervisor
With over 15 years of experience in client care with 10 years of them in veterinary medicine, Cynthia has always had a passion for helping people feel welcomed, supported, and understood. As Client Billing Supervisor, she believes that exceptional client care goes beyond answering questions or solving problems - it's about truly listening. She strives to make sure every client feels heard, their concerns taken seriously, and they know they have someone in their corner.
Cynthia's love for animals began early, growing up with a German Shepherd who helped shape her lifelong appreciation for the special bond between people and their pets. Today, she shares her home with two cats and her son, who has brought an entirely new kind of joy to her life as a first-time mom.
When she's not at the hospital, Cynthia loves spending time with her family and playing volleyball whenever she gets the chance. After a decade in veterinary medicine, one of the things she values most is being able to combine her love of animals with what she enjoys the most - connecting with people and helping them feel cared for during every step of their pet's journey.