Our Team

Dr. Jennifer Evans joined Animal Care Clinic in July 1997. She is a Santa Barbara native and Cal Poly SLO graduate. Dr. Evans earned her DVM from UC Davis in 1997. Her special interests include small mammal medicine and behavioral medicine. She most enjoys getting to establish life-long relationships with all of her patients and their families. When Jennifer was 3 years old she told her mom she wanted to be a doctor for dogs. “I don’t really remember ever wanting to do anything else. I love working with pets and their people.” Jennifer brings a special compassion and empathy to our practice.

Jennifer enjoys all outdoor activities including camping and horseback riding, along with church and family activities. She has two dogs, Ventana who is a career changed Guide Dog Labrador Retriever and Lexi, a Rhodesian Ridgeback; she enjoys both as her hiking buddies. They all live with 2 cats, Pippin and Tryg that she raised from 3 weeks of age. Jennifer also raised a Lab for Guide Dogs of America and plans to do it again.

Dr. Bonnie Markoff is the owner and founder of Animal Care Clinic. She is almost a San Luis Obispo native attending elementary and high school in SLO. Dr. Markoff graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Animal Science and then went to UC Davis for veterinary school, earning her DVM in 1988. She is a Board Certified specialist in Canine and Feline Practice, a Diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and is certified in Veterinary Family Practice & Fear Free Practice. In 2001 she had the special honor of being named a Fellow at UC Davis in small animal abdominal ultrasonography. Dr. Markoff’ s special medical interests include internal medicine, oncology, pain control, diagnostic imaging and figuring out the tricky cases. When asked about why she became a veterinarian she said, “I can’t remember a time when I did not want to be a veterinarian. I was born into a household full of animals – everything from dogs to lizards! I had pet rats, rabbits, tortoises, snakes and tarantulas as a kid, and I thought my dog was my sister! With my love of science and the outdoors, there seemed no other path to follow! I now find myself most intrigued with the human interactions involved in veterinary medicine – how people bond to their pets and manage the emotional difficulties in caring for sick pets, and how to lead and manage teams of people dedicated to caring for people and their pets. I have been so completely blessed by this diverse profession!”
Bonnie lives with her Australian Shepherd, Zeke; Catahoula cross, Teague; plus her 3-legged rescue kitty Vinny. She enjoys photography, landscaping, hiking, traveling, kayaking, & singing in the church choir. She sits on the advisory board for the Animal Science Department at Cal Poly. Bonnie also works often on short-term missions for Christian Veterinary Mission and other faith based groups to bring veterinary care and leadership skills to people in need throughout the world. She most frequently visits Mongolia and Zambia on these trips. She is also leading Animal Care Clinic in a partnership with the University of Baja California to bring both veterinary medical and leadership training to the students in Mexico.

Dr. Taralyn Meusel graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Physiology & Neuroscience from UC San Diego. In addition to her DVM status, she is VetStem and FearFree certified. She enjoys the problem solving aspects of veterinary medicine and helping people navigate the many stages of their pet’s lives, considering both their physical and emotional wellbeing in the process. Taralyn grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains where her home was a safe haven for any dog, cat, turtle, rabbit, guinea pig, etc who needed help. She credits her mom with teaching her the value of veterinary medicine during their many trips to the hospital with the members of their menagerie.

She loves puzzles, art, and of course, animals and their people. Veterinary medicine has allowed her to combine all of this with special interests in geriatric medicine, surgery, behavior, oncology, and dermatology, “I like to think of surgery as an art form with layers that most people will never see.”

Taralyn enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, and time at the beach with her dog “Bentley.” Six cats round out her home. She loves cooking and has recently picked up the violin again to the great enjoyment of her cats. “Animals give our lives so much richness and meaning. Being a veterinarian is my way of giving back to them, whether they are loved in someone’s home, living in a shelter, on a farm, or out in the wild.”

Mercy originally joined the Animal Care Clinic family in November 2013 as a Customer Service Representative. In April 2016 Bonnie asked her to step into the position of Hospital Administrator. Originally from Moorpark, California, she lived in Tallahassee, Florida for two years before coming to San Luis Obispo. She originally had an interest in becoming a veterinarian, but quickly realized she enjoyed being an advocate for clients, meeting pets, and working with doctors and other team members. “I have really found my niche in veterinary medicine.” She has worked in the veterinary profession since 2007.

Professional goals are to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and to make ACC the best place to work on the Central Coast.

Mercy has taken every opportunity that Animal Care Clinic has given her to continue to expand her knowledge and experience in veterinary business management. In 2018 she graduated from AAHA’s Veterinary Management Institute, a 10 month long course in HR, communication, leadership, public speaking, finances, and much more.

Mercy’s family includes her husband Kelly, a Senior Transportation Planner with Caltrans, her football-loving daughter Ellie, and Buster the Border Collie Mix. Mercy and Kelly are die-hard Florida State Seminole fans and love teaching Ellie all about the joys of college football.

Gustavo currently works as a Registered Veterinary Technician at Animal Care Clinic, and has been here since May 2002. Gustavo grew up in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. He graduated with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in Mexico from the Autonomous University of Baja California. Gustavo is studying now, so that he may eventually be boarded as a DVM in California. He loves living in San Luis Obispo County and is glad that his children have had the opportunity to grow up here. Gustavo has 3 children in college, whom he is always involved with in their activities and schools. Aside from being a busy, working family man, Gustavo is developing a website, http://accuabc.webs.com.

Erika joined our team in October 2015 as a Customer Care Representative. She was born in Fresno, CA but spent most of her childhood and teenage years in Thousand Oaks, CA. After high school, she attended SBCC then transferred into Cal Poly where she graduated in 2014 with an Animal Science degree. Her goal now is to gather experience in the veterinary field and start working towards her Registered Veterinary Technician license. Erika has two sisters, her twin, Julia, who is a dance teacher in Orange County and a younger sister, Krista, who is studying opera at university in Scotland. Her parents still live in Thousand Oaks along with her four dogs, a bearded dragon and a horse. One of her passions is running. She ran for D1 Cal Poly Cross Country & Track Team, her events were the steeplechase and the 5k. Some of her other interests include riding horses, backpacking, fishing, camping and skiing, especially in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas. Coming from an artistic family, Erika also enjoys singing and has been taking drawing classes since high school as a way to relax and rest from her active lifestyle.

Melissa originally joined the Animal Care Clinic Team in July 2006. She moved to San Luis Obispo from Southern California in 2004 to attend Cal Poly. She graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science then acquired her Registered Veterinary Technician license.

Her passions include riding her horses, running, and spending time with her family and dogs.

Cassie joined the Animal Care Clinic team in July 2013 as one of our Registered Veterinary Technicians. Originally from Clovis, California she came to San Luis Obispo to attend school at Cal Poly. She has graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a BS in Animal Science and a MS in Equine and Animal Nutrition Studies. She would next like to pursue a technical specialty in nutrition. Cassie says, “From a young age I knew I wanted to work in a veterinary hospital. As a teenager I would assist a neighbor, who was also a veterinarian, while she treated various livestock and pets and knew it was what I wanted to do as a career. I am a very compassionate person who found myself helping animals wherever I happened to be and am very fortunate to have been able to realize this dream of mine.”

Julie came to us from Los Angeles, California and joined the Lodge Team in July 2012. Julie is attending Cal Poly as an Animal Science major, with the goal to eventually attend vet school. Julie has two dogs; a pit-bull mix named Maya and a Boston Terrier named Nara. She also keeps herself busy at the beach kayaking, practicing yoga, cooking, baking and volunteering for dog rescue groups. Julie is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a community service based co-ed fraternity.

Caitlyn comes to us from San Diego and is a part of our lodge and nursing team. She has been with ACC since September of 2016 and has immediately become an important part of our team. She is currently attending Cal Poly studying animal sciences with the hopes of one day working in animal nutrition or research. “I’ve wanted to help animals for as long as I can remember. As a little girl I dreamed about growing up and being able to do that.
In her spare time, Caitlyn enjoys playing baseball and golf. She was the team manager for the Cal Poly baseball team and used to play golf competitively throughout high school. Now you can catch her at the SLO Blues Baseball games or playing a round of golf when she gets a chance. And you will never meet anyone more excited to play Mexican Train Dominoes.
Caitlyn has a twin brother, Jonathan, who is currently attending University of Arizona as a pre-med student.

Jasmin joined our veterinary nursing team in October 2017. Originally from the San Gabriel Valley, she has recently relocated to North County with her husband and two Miniature Pinschers. They are loving everything the central coast has to offer, especially the bicycling trails, fishing, and swimming.

Jasmin has a broadcasting degree from the Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting. During her time in school she obtained her first job in a veterinary hospital through the school’s student program. She enjoyed it so much that after completing her degree work, she changed her focus to helping companion animals. She has now worked in many aspects of the veterinary field, including veterinary nursing, customer service, and administration. Her wide range of experience makes her a valuable asset to ACC. Jasmin continually strives to learn and grow and is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster RVT Program. “Obtaining certification is important to me as a culmination of all the skills I’ve attained and all that I hope to still learn.”

Aaron joined our veterinary nursing team in March of 2018. Originally from the Central Coast, he spent 10 years in Connecticut where he finished his degree in Biology at Southern Connecticut State University (Go Owls!). Aaron began working for a 6 doctor, small animal practice where he learned all about Lyme disease and Leptospirosis, which are not common here. He also met his wife Diana and after moving back to California, they had their first child, Tim.

Aaron has had many pets in his life, including 4 cats and a corn snake named “Houdini”, who received his name because he kept disappearing out of his cage. His wife Diana works for “Teach for America”, a non-profit that places top college graduate students in low income elementary and high schools to close the education gap. She is in charge of fundraising for the entire San Joaquin Valley.

Aaron is a sommelier and in 2017 did a harvest with Eberle Winery. He also is a Magic the Gathering player and travels the country to attend tournaments.

Jade joined our medical staff in March 2019 and graduated with a degree in animal science from Cal Poly. Growing up in San Francisco with a dog and three cats, Jade knew working with animals would be part of her life. She really enjoys the hands-on aspect of veterinary work and plans to pursue her RVT license.

Jade volunteers as a track coach for the Special Olympics of Southern California. She spent 6 weeks in South Africa working with wildlife & companion animals, and even got to assist in the collaring of an elephant and vasectomy of a lion. She enjoys hiking, fishing, going to the beach, and relaxing with her boyfriend. The have a cat named Simba and hope to get a puppy soon.

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 brown tabby names Simpkin rounds out the household. Natalie also is very interested in keeping up with the latest marine conservation issues.

From all the way across the pond, Kate joined our Customer Service Team in October 2017. She moved to San Luis Obispo after meeting her husband Sonny while on vacation in the Philippines. In England Kate received a degree in Equine Performance at Hartpury College in Gloucester. She has always loved horseback riding and was the National Dressage Champion in 2016 with her horse “Dollar”. She is also an advanced open water diver and explored the shipwrecks in the Philippines from the US attack on the Japanese Navy from WWII.

Kate is looking forward providing the best customer service for all of our clients and patients and maybe one day learning Veterinary Technician skills.

Karla joined the Animal Care Clinic Team in October 2017, relocating from Sonoma County, CA. She comes to us with experience in both human and animal medicine. She previously worked as a surgical technician in dermatology and as a veterinary nurse for both large and small animal medicine. Karla found that she missed working in the animal industry and has since found a place on our Customer Service Team. “I really enjoy client education and helping pet owners to understand animal heath.”

Karla participated in FFA on a state and national level showing steers and sheep. She was honored with an American Agriculture Degree with a focus in Agriculture Business. Karla went to Chico and studied Animal Science & Agribusiness. She hopes to continue her education in parasitology and pharmacology. “I love to study how medicine works in the body and how it affects our pets and livestock.”

This girl loves to spend her free time on the ocean surfing or paddle boarding with her pup. She can also be found hiking and backpacking across the west coast or traveling the world.

Anvay joined our lodge care team in October 2017. He is currently a Animal Science major at Cal Poly, expecting to graduate in 2021. He has hopes to attend veterinary school with a goal of working with small animal and exotic breeds.

Growing up in India until 2011, Anvay spent time volunteering for Procterra, an organization that promoted conservation and preservation of environment and local wildlife. While working with Procterra, part of his job was to rescue snakes that had entered people’s homes. He has been bitten by snakes 8 different times, 1 being a from a venomous Asian Vine Snake. “It wasn’t that bad, more like a really bad bee sting.”

Anvay is enjoying meeting all our lodgers and learning more veterinary nursing skills. Since his graduation from Cal Poly is not until 2021, we expect Anvay to be spending many years growing here at Animal Care Clinic.

Ethan joined our lodge care team in March of 2018. He’s a currently at Cuesta College studying biology with the goal to become a veterinarian. As of right now, he is leaning towards farm animals. He really enjoys the on site green house, complete with spiders, goats, and rare plants that he got to learn how to care for.

In his free time he enjoys playing soccer and spending time with his high school sweetheart, who is also a veterinary technician. Ethan has a love of the classics and some of his favorite music if from Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, with his favorite movie Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon.

Both his parents and both stepparents are police officers, and all dog lovers. Ethan just adopted a dog of his own, Roxie!

Tania joined Animal Care Clinic in July 2018. She shortly after adopted her Shepherd Mix “Zoe” from SLO Department of Animal Services. Tania spotted “Zoe” the day after she was brought into the shelter. She placed a hold on her and came back every day to see if anyone claimed her. After 5 days Tania was able to take “Zoe” home. “I knew she was my dog as soon as I saw her.” Tania also has a horse named “Petra” and they compete in Eventing.

Tania is currently attending CalPoly as an Animal Science major with plans to attend veterinary school. She hopes to work in a small animal general practice. But you would never have guessed it based on her volunteer experience. Tania spent time in Thailand working at an elephant rescue and in a small animal clinic. She has also studied in Australia at a wildlife preserve caring for exotic animals, including kangaroos.

Joanna joined the Animal Care Clinic lodge team in November of 2018. She is currently a student at Cal Poly studying Animal Science. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian at a small animal general practice. Reproduction has been her favorite class so far at Cal Poly. She has known from a young age that she wanted to work with animals.

She is a founding member of Delta Gamma at Cal Poly, being a part of the first member class of Winter 2018. Joanna volunteers with SLO Guide Dogs to help raise money for people with vision impairments.

In high school she was part of the swim and tennis team. She comes from a family of almond ranchers, having worked on the ranches with her family as a young kid. She grew up camping and spending time with family on the ranches.

Jules joined the Animal Care Clinic lodge team in November 2018. Originally from Los Angeles, she’s currently an Animal Science major at Cal Poly with plans to become a small animal veterinarian. Helping clients and the farm animals through Cal Poly’s enterprise program has been a highlight. She also has an interest in wildlife conservation.

An avid golfer in High School, she spent time volunteering with adoptions at an animal shelter in Los Angeles. Classical music is her favorite and she’s played the cello for 8 years along with piano & guitar. Jules has one younger sister who is also in college. Her family vacations together, usually visiting national parks and monuments. Her favorite, so far, has been seeing the waterfalls in Yosemite. She is excited to adopt her first dog, a golden retriever whose name is going to be Beau.

Madison joined our lodge team in March 2019. A current Cal Poly animal science student, she’s planning to pursue a career as a veterinarian, a goal she set at age six. Madison grew up in Palos Verdes in a house full of animals and knew she wanted a career caring for animals and their people.

She loves spending time with her family and they enjoy going on hikes, visiting tide pools, and camping in Yosemite Valley. When not hanging out with her dog Cowboy, the two family cats or two snakes, you’ll find Madison helping out at her grandmother’s knitting store, playing soccer, or gardening. She also volunteers at Doggy Days at Prado Day Center and helps provide care for pets of displaced members of the community.