Erika Carrillo, DVM

Practice Owner/Veterinarian

Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Erika Carrillo found her calling for Veterinary Medicine her senior year in high school in Hacienda Heights, CA, when she began volunteering at her town’s local animal hospital. There she began her experience with animals, walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and taking care of boarding patients. She then proceeded to work as a receptionist, working her way to becoming a veterinary assistant at different hospitals in the area over the next 8 years all while paying her way through college and graduate school.  

Erika’s love for animals grew as she started her studies at the University of La Verne in La Verne, California and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2005. The following year, Dr. Carrillo began graduate school at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona, California and graduated in 2010. During her veterinary training, Dr. Carrillo did many externships in various areas such as internal medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care, dermatology, ophthalmology, clinical pathology, and radiology. After graduation, she began working at a high-volume practice in West Los Angeles for 9 years where she obtained extensive experience in all areas of veterinary medicine. Ultimately, Dr. Carrillo wanted to be outside of the busy city and moved east to Orange County to start a family of her own and open her own hospital. Dr. Carrillo now lives in Orange County and spends her time off with her husband Richard and their two daughters, Audrey and Charlotte, their Bulldog/Pitbull Lexington, Cane Corso Bane and their Russian tortoise Quasimodo.

Jennifer Engelhard, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Being surrounded by loving family pets from a young age, Dr. Jennifer Engelhard knew her career would be in the area of animal care from the get-go! Aspiring to be a whale trainer as a child, her interests in science and medicine led her down the path of veterinary science and working in the veterinary field. In high school, she pursued her school’s regional occupational program and was hired as a part-time veterinary assistant at a companion animal and exotics hospital, where she learned to care for many different species. Later, Dr Engelhard would receive her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology with a pre-veterinary medicine focus from Oregon State University in 2012. While there, she proceeded to work at the university’s veterinary diagnostic pathology laboratory and ultimately applied to graduate school. After being accepted by Oregon State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, she explored many areas of study, from small animal medicine to exotic & zoological medicine, graduating in 2018. With a doctorate in one hand and a stethoscope in the other, Dr. Engelhard moved back to her home region of Southern California where she has worked for three years in a corporate small animal practice before joining our family at Fullerton Regional Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Engelhard enjoys treating all kinds of pets from dogs and cats to bunnies, reptiles, and even fish! She currently lives in Anaheim with her partner and their two dogs Mara and Jones.

Lauren Heit, DVM

Relief Veterinarian

Dr Lauren Heit was born and raised in Southern California. Ever since she was a small child, she knew she would one day become a veterinarian. Her dad played a major influence in her career path as he, too, was a small animal veterinarian, showing Lauren how devotion and care for animals was so important in his life. Her passion for veterinary medicine grew as she watched her dad work in the hospital and take care of not only the animals but his clients too! Lauren ultimately attended veterinary school and obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Since then, she has been working in emergency and critical care as well as general practice. In her spare time, Dr Heit enjoys spending time with her wife, two young children, and her two cats Boo and Fifi. She also enjoys working out in the gym, playing board games, and reading.

Marlen

Registered Veterinary Technician

Marlen has always loved animals and knew she wanted to work with them growing up. Marlen graduated from the Registered Veterinary Technician program at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, obtaining her license in 2020. She has now been working in the veterinary field for about five years, previously working as a veterinary assistant. Marlen strives to give the best quality of care to all of her patients. Currently, she does not have any pets of her own but is eagerly waiting for the right furry friend to join her family. In her free time, Marlen enjoys spending time with family and friends playing video games, hosting board game nights, or going out to eat.

Brianna

Veterinary Technician

Brianna (aka Bri) initially became interested in working with animals when she started volunteering at an aquarium. Since then, she has spent the last five years immersed into the veterinary technician work field; two of these years primarily focused on exotic animal care. She loves working with all sorts of critters from pocket pets like guinea pigs and hamsters to reptiles like ball pythons and monitor lizards! Bri is an all around animal lover but is now exploring new horizons into human medicine, specifically in the area of surgical technology and instrumentation. When not busy learning new skills, she enjoys her passion for music and attending live events often. She currently has a chihuahua named Oliver and a pittie/labrador mix named Niko; both of whom she adopted.

Ashlee

Veterinary Technician

Ashlee has been passionate about all types of animals since a very young age! She obtained her Bachelor's of Science in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis in 2020. During her undergraduate career, Ashlee gained a great variety of experience and knowledge in both large and small animal medicine throughout several employment opportunities, internships, and volunteering. For the past two years, Ashlee has been working at various veterinary hospitals as a veterinary assistant but with the goal in mind to attend veterinary graduate school in the near future. When Ashlee isn't busy at work helping all types of animals, you'll find her enjoying her time off with friends and family, but especially her cat, Kol. Ashlee looks forward to meeting all of your pets and providing them with much love and care!

Selene

Receptionist

Selene grew up with an extra appreciation for animals. She began her journey working at a family-owned pet store for four years, during which she found a perfect position joining the team as a receptionist at Fullerton Regional. Although Selene focuses a lot of her time and energy into caring for pets and wildlife, she is also very invested in business, having recently received her associate's degree in Business Fundamentals in June 2022. Her experience in business training resulted in her loving to work with clients as their point of contact when calling or coming in for their pets. Outside of work, Selene enjoys spending time with her loved ones and being a “foodie”, trying out foods that are trending or unfamiliar!

Bailey

Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant

Bailey has known she would be an advocate for animals since a very young age. She started her journey into the veterinary field in the Fall of 2015 by attending Carrington College in Pomona, CA. After graduating from their veterinary technology program, Bailey began working at various animal hospitals as a receptionist, kennel assistant, and veterinary assistant. After gaining much knowledge and experience in the field, Bailey learned that one of the best ways to care for patients is by focusing on client communication and education as well as establishing preventative care. Bailey enjoys spending her free time by cuddling with her furbabies Aurora, the pomsky, and Zuko, the aussie. Bailey's career goal is to add the letters RVT (registered veterinary technician) to her name and to become the next dog whisperer; they talk to us all the time, we just have to learn how to listen!

Nicole

Receptionist

Nicole has always had a strong passion for animals since a young age especially after she obtained her very first pet, a beautiful kitty named Tasha. Since then, Nicole knew she wanted to work with animals, especially cats, boxers, and pitties, all her favorites! Her career in the veterinary field began in 2015, when she started working at several different veterinary hospitals throughout Southern California as a client service coordinator. Ultimately, she plans to further her career in veterinary medicine when she soon starts attending a veterinary assistant program to expand her skills. Nicole loves her job and really enjoys seeing all her happy clients and patients! When not busy at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends or relaxing and soaking in the sun at the beach. Nicole currently has three feline furbabies of her own: Gamora, Spazz, and Smokey!

Ryan

Veterinary Assistant

Ryan was born in Southern California and raised in Michigan, moving back to California in 2004. Ryan grew up always having a love for animals and so, by the age of seven, he knew he wanted to become a veterinarian when he grew up. Ryan's veterinary education began in 2011 at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, where he earned his associates degree in Biology. Currently, he is attending Michigan State University as an Animal Science undergraduate, working towards his goal of attending veterinary graduate school in the future. One of his future goals is to open his own small animal practice. Currently, Ryan has one fur baby, a 16-yr old Scottish Terrier named Nestle who likes to sleep in his lap all day. In Ryan's free time, he enjoys dancing, photography, and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys making his coworkers laugh whenever he gets the chance.