Animal Care Clinic San Luis Obispo Veterinary Hospital

Stephanie Ruggerone

Practice Administrator, Stephanie Ruggerone, came to ACC in September 2000. She has an extensive background in many facets of animal care including behavior, training, grooming and pet assisted therapy. Following Studies in animal science and agriculture at the University of Arizona, she settled in San Luis Obispo County in 1980 after growing up in Whittier, CA. She has raised and trained Golden Retrievers under the Autumngale Obedience kennel name. After training two dogs for the county humane education program she became an animal control officer, then quickly promoted to the position of Animal Services Director. She was thrilled and honored to be invited to be a part of the Animal Care Clinic team where the emphasis is on quality animal care and client education. Stephanie and her husband have two children attending college and share their home with a true variety of dogs and livestock.  Her personal passion is a commitment to assist in providing guide dogs for the sight impaired. Her family has devoted many years to guide dog puppy raising, having raised 16 puppies for guide dogs. Aside from ACC and puppies, Stephanie loves to read, and all things outdoors especially hiking in Yosemite and endurance horseback riding. She has a passion for dog behavior and hopes to accomplish search and rescue training on one of her dogs and become a certified Search and Rescue team with FEMA.

	Lavella Short Lavella has been with Animal Care Clinic since July 2008.  She is a native of San Luis Obispo and has lived here a majority of her life.  She has worked for the IRS while living in Fresno, been a Phlebotomist as well as an EMT, and most recently as a Lasik Technician prior to coming to Animal Care Clinic.  In June 2010 she rescued and adopted a “brother” for her cat, Rocky, from the Department of Animal Services.  He’s a Cheweenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund mix) named Petey.  Although they are different species, they get along amazingly well.  Lavella loves NASCAR, football (go Chargers!), movies, traveling, making clay figurines and hanging out with family and friends.
	Caitlin Morris Caitlin goes by Cate here at ACC, and has been a part of the Customer Service Team since November 2007. Cate grew up in rural Mc Arthur located in Northern California. She is married to Travis of our nursing team and has two children, her step-son Skyler and daughter Hailey, with a third due to arrive September 2012! Current pets include 2 cats and 1 tortoise. Cate loves reading, hiking, tide pooling and spending time with her family.
	Sue Siminz Sue joined the Customer Service team in May 2009. Sue originally grew up in Riverside, California and then moved to the Central Coast in 1981. Sue graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Animal Science and worked for the Cal Poly Vet Clinic as a registered technician in large animal medicine. She is married with 2 young adult daughters, one living in Oregon, and also cares for 1 dog and 2 cats. Aside from all this, Sue keeps busy walking, hiking, gardening and singing in her church choir. She also enjoys restoring and remodeling houses with her husband.
	Natalie Borgardt Natalie has been with Animal Care Clinic as a part of the Customer Service team since January of 2012. Originally from Fresno, Natalie is a California native, though she has also previously lived in New Hampshire and Washington states. She most enjoys spending time with her two children. Currently, a rosy boa snake named Stripes rounds out the household. Natalie also is very interested in keeping up with the latest marine conservation issues.
	Nicole Haug Nicole joined the customer service team in September of 2009.  She is a local San Luis Obispan and currently attends Cal Poly, majoring in Sociology.  Nicole loves to spend time and hike with her 3 dogs Stella, Ginger and Bear and also has a Beta fish at home, Fishy.  Other hobbies are going to the movies and gym, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and boyfriend.
	Bethany Lara Bethany came to us originally from Littlerock, California and is a graduate of Cal Poly with a bachelor’s in Animal Science. Bethany currently works in our lodging, customer service and veterinary nurse teams since March 2010. Her goal is to become a Registered Veterinary Technician and to work at an exotic animal park. Bethany has 1 dog named Ray. She also loves to read, dance, watch movies, hang out with friends, and perform theatrically.
	Tyler Ziton Tyler began work with Animal Care Clinic in August 2011. You may find him working at any area of our hospital. Tyler came out to California all the way from Orlando, Florida in order to attend school in San Luis Obispo. He is currently at Cuesta College and hopes to eventually transfer to Cal Poly. Tyler is very active. He is an avid tennis player and also likes to snowboard, fish, run, hike, bike, and swim. Accompanying Tyler in California are also his two Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Ru and Opie. Another interesting thing about Tyler is he has a pretty cool and unique middle name, Battle!