Team - Vet in Rancho Santa Margarita

Dr. Jenna Cooper

Dr. Jenna Cooper is from Orange County and grew up with a home full of pets. She went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a major in Animal Science and graduated from Massey University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 2007.

When she graduated, she wanted to be able to handle any situation so she took a position at an emergency and specialty hospital and worked her way into one of the top facilities in West Los Angeles where she was an associate for 7 years before moving back to private practice in Orange County at OC Veterinary Medical Center for four years.

BVSc

Dr. Alissa Brown

I am a compassionate and devoted small animal veterinarian who is committed to providing the highest standard of veterinary care to my patients. I completed my veterinary education at Western University of Health Sciences. Following graduation, I completed a year long internship at California Veterinary Specialists where I was intensively trained in surgery, internal medicine and emergency care. My areas of interest are ultrasonography, preventative care and geriatric medicine. My first babies are two cats, Link and Knox. My husband and I also have three daughters and enjoy all the family time we can get. Having grown up in Orange County, I feel honored to get to work in the community that nurtured my development. I look forward to meeting you!

DVM

Dr. James Kim

Dr. James Kim is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and is certified in all aspects of surgery including but not limited to soft tissue, oncologic, and orthopedics.Dr. Kim is a southern California native, grown up in his hometown of Diamond Bar. He remained in the golden state by attending the University of California, Berkeley and received his degree in molecular cell biology. He then received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of California, Davis. He completed six additional years of advanced training ending with his surgical residency at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. He now provides mobile surgery services to Southern California after having worked at several specialty referral centers in Los Angeles and Orange County. When not in the operating suite, he frequently visits Disneyland to hunt Pokemon with his wife, also a veterinarian. Other hobbies include honing his eye-hand coordination by playing video games such as Overwatch and keeping his two cats (Fiona & Birdie) out of trouble. Becoming a professional Starcraft player proved too elusive and instead Dr. James Kim now lives his other dream as a small animal surgeon.

DVM, DACVS-SA, Surgeon

Dr. Jennifer White

Dr. Jennifer White is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology. She received her veterinary certification in 2007 from Massey University in New Zealand. She then went on to briefly serve as a general practitioner in a walk-in practice in Chicago before completing a one year rotating small animal internship at VCA Aurora and VCA Berwyn Animal Hospitals. She stayed on staff as an emergency clinician for one year following her internship. Dr. White then completed a residency in diagnostic imaging at Washington State University, developing strong interests in both ultrasound and cross sectional imaging (CT and MRI). During her residency, she also completed a Master's in veterinary science. Her Master’s research, evaluating the use of ultrasound elastography on small animals, is the first of its kind in a clinical setting. In September of 2013, Dr. White joined the staff of the Veterinary Specialty Hospital where she enjoys being an important part of the diagnostic process for all patients. She has been working closely with Banderas Pet Hospital since 2016.

BVSc, MS, DACVR, Radiologist

Tori Warter

Tori grew up in and around veterinary hospitals and has always had a passion for animals. She began working in a veterinary hospital in 2007 and has fallen more and more in love with the industry since. Over the years she has worked in a variety of hospitals including emergency and has developed a wide set of skills and knowledge over the years. She has worked with Dr. Cooper in the past and instantly developed a strong bond which lead her to follow Dr. Cooper when she opened her own hospital. Even though she is a lover of all animals she has a special place in her heart for cats. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her family, friends, and lots of animals!

Manager

Jenny

Jenny grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita and began her animal caregiver career with an after school program and internship in her junior year of high school. After graduation, she began employment at the same facility where she cared for pets and learned the art of animal hair styling. Wanting to learn more about animals, she continued her education at UC Davis where she received her Bachelors Degree in Animal Science and Management in 2012. She has been happily working with the great staff and pets at Banderas Pet Hospital ever since. She enjoys spending time with her husband and her dog, Phoebe.

Manager

Dan Cooper

Dan’s dog training and handling journey began when he moved to Canada from New Zealand where he was a K9 handler being teamed up with a Czech import German Shepard named Yuri. After immigrating to California, Dan worked for a Service Dog Training organization before starting his own business. Dan is also an accomplished student of the Michael Ellis School of Dog Training, a world renowned dog handler and trainer.

Unique to his style, Dan specializes in letting a dog think and make a positive choice as opposed to other styles that reinforce a particular trick. He also likes to see dogs learn useful tasks that are traditionally taught to service animals.

Trainer

Dr. Jung

Bio Coming Soon!

Manager

Manny Mendiola

After an 18 year career in human medicine, I took part in animal medical research and fell in love with caring for animals. It gave me great pleasure to help give a voice to the helpless and sick animals who were unable to speak for themselves. I have experience working in veterinary specialty hospitals, emergency, ICU and CCU but I found my true calling treating animals. I love what I do and could not imagine another career. In my spare time I enjoy reading, painting and traveling!

Manager

Christin

Christin is a new member to the Banderas family. She recently switched careers from saving lives in the ambulance for 5 years to working here at our hospital! On the ambulance Christin was an FTO (Field Training Officer) and trained all the new EMTs just starting out! She also served in our local community of Irvine and South OC. Christin has traveled the world to 7 different countries and grew up in England. In her spare time, you can catch her taking care of the zoo she has at home (not all furry pets, some that slither around!), accomplishing things on her bucket list (ask what's next when you see her), or watching documentaries; she loves to learn! Be cautious when you walk in with your pet, she WILL give them lots of love!

Manager