Dr. Ashley Navarrette is the Medical Director for Katella Animal Clinic where she enjoys meeting all varieties of pets and their families. With her patients, she aims to be able to provide a spectrum of care as it pertains to veterinary medicine while still providing the highest quality medicine. Her special interests are mentorship/education, behavior, geriatric medicine, and internal medicine. She was given the nickname “Dr. Ashley “Fear Free or Die Trying” Navarrette by her students at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine because she is a Fear Free Certified Professional. She can often be found feeding your pets squeeze cheese, treats, enticing them with toys, and has even been known to dance for pets to distract them while they are getting their blood drawn. Originally from Sanger, CA, Dr. Navarrette attended California Polytechnic State University where she earned an undergraduate degree in Animal Science. She went on to Texas A&M University to earn two Master of Science Degrees in Physiology of Reproduction and Biomedical Sciences. In 2017, she graduated from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She has experience in general practice (including exotics), emergency practice, and more recently was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine. In her spare time, she can be found wandering down Main Street, USA with a churro in hand as she’s a self-proclaimed Disney Adult. When not at Disney, Dr. Navarrette also enjoys hiking, wildlife photography, and tending to her 260+ succulents. She shares her home with a variety of animals: Blair (Australian Shepherd), Hayes (American Pit Bull Terrier), Dobbie (Chihuahua Mix), Squeak (budgerigar), 7 box turtles, and koi.

Stephanie has been with Katella Animal Clinic for over 13 years. This clinic holds a special place in Stephanie’s heart, as she has been on the ground throughout the clinic’s growth. Today, she proudly leads and manages our team. Through her, Katella Animal Clinic now partners with wonderful rescues working to save the lives of dogs and cats. Stephanie enjoys connecting with our clients and their pets and ensuring our relationship with our community and partners stay strong.

Stephanie raised three wonderful men: Joseph, Joshua, and Jered. In her downtime, she enjoys hiking, working out, and spending time with family and her fur babies.

Stephanie is pictured with her two dogs, Stormy and Banshee.

Joseph has been at Katella Animal Clinic for about 4 years. He has grown within the clinic during his time here, starting as a Kennel Attendant and working his way up into management. Local to Orange County, Joseph received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton in 2017. Joseph’s future goals include becoming a Practice Manager and furthering his career by getting into the corporate setting of the veterinary field.

In his free time, Joseph enjoys playing the guitar and is in a local band. His favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Joseph is pictured with his boxer, Scarlet.

Sarah has been with Katella Animal Clinic for over 4 years. Her love for animals is what has led to a long career in the veterinary field. As the clinic’s Lead Vet Technician, Sarah strives to continue learning and growing every day, so that she’s always ready for whatever daily duties come her way. Her experience and knowledge ensure all our patients are receiving the best care, which makes her job so rewarding.

Outside of work, Sarah’s love for animals extends into her own grooming business.

Sarah is pictured with our beloved Banshee.

Melissa is a veteran employee of 16 years with Katella Animal Clinic. Melissa followed in the footsteps of her stepmother, who was also a Vet Tech. “I was bottle-feeding kittens my Step-Mom brought home since the age of 4!” Melissa’s future goals are to become certified and then licensed in the veterinary field.

Melissa has passed down her love for animals to her two children, aged 5 and 13. Their household consists of a dog named Diesel, and three cats: Percy, Sassy, and McFly. Aside from animals, Melissa is a huge fan of sunflowers and owls.

Melissa is pictured with one of our rescue dogs, Penelope.

Liset recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as an employee of Katella Animal Clinic. Within that year, Liset moved up from Kennel Technician to now being one of our amazing Veterinary Tech Assistants. Liset is now studying and pursuing her Veterinary Technician License. While Occupational Therapy was her initial career choice, Liset decided to focus on her love for animals and applied to a Veterinary Technician Assistant Program. Upon completing the program and an internship at a vet clinic, Liset is now using her knowledge to care for our pet patients. As a local resident, born and raised in Santa Ana, Liset is using her first language of Spanish to assist and translate for all our Spanish-speaking clients.

Liset is the youngest of three and has always had pets in her home.

Liset is pictured with our office pets, Maddie and Stormy.

Annette has been with Katella Animal Clinic for almost 5 years. Annette’s heart for animals and their families is what pulled her away from her previous career in massage therapy. Fresh in the field, Annette started as a Kennel Attendant and has worked her way up to now helping our clients as a CSR. Annette hopes to continue growing within the veterinary field and one day become a Veterinary Technician.

Annette’s home has expanded over the years, as she proudly because a foster failure. Earvin, a 13-year-old dog, and 2 senior cats, Oreo and Stormy now complete her family.

Annette is pictured with Lincoln, one of our rescue dogs that just got adopted!

Valery is close to celebrating a year at Katella Animal Clinic. As the main caregiver of our rescue animals housed at our clinic, Valery now knows she’s where she belongs, working with animals. Valery’s previous experience was in sales and real estate, but her childhood love of animals and time at our clinic has led to a new future goal of becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician. Caring for the rescued animals and playing with them brings joy to Valery because she knows the unfortunate situations many of the rescue pets come from and that they deserve better.

Outside of work, Valery enjoys doing art and spending time with her family.

Valery is pictured with one of our rescue dogs, Sunny.

Jessica is the newest member of the Katella Animal Clinic family. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, but after working several years in the law field, she burnt out. Looking for a change, Jessica turned to her love of animals and now enjoys going to work every day. Her favorite part of working at Katella Animal Clinic is interacting with all the pets that come in every day. Jessica hopes to continue creative initiatives that make clients, pets, and rescue animals’ time in our vet clinic a positive experience.

Jessica is a native of Florida and recently moved to California. The best part of her move was driving cross-country with her packed car and trusted bestie, a rescued pittie-mix named Ali. In her free time, Jessica loves crafting.

Jessica is pictured with her dog, Ali.