Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Helen Green was born in New York and grew up on Long Island. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from C.W. Post College. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. She worked as a small animal practitioner in Knoxville for one year prior to moving to San Diego. In San Diego, she worked for many years at North Park Veterinary Hospital until taking over Mission Valley Pet Clinic in 2002.

Dr. Green's special interests are internal and preventive medicine, dermatology, ear disorders and dentistry. She enjoys getting to know all of her patients and their owners. She is especially proud of the staff members that have chosen to work with her at MVPC. Dr. Green attends several veterinary conferences per year. She enjoys sharing with her staff the most current information on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in order to provide our patients with the highest quality care. Dr. Green is a longstanding member of several veterinary organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and the San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Green enjoys playing tennis, ballroom dancing, going to the beach with her dog Brody, a Goldendoodle, reading and listening to audio-books, and spending time with her three children, Ian, Danny and Sarah. In addition, Dr. Green has a cat named Georgie . She also has been known to let an assortment of stray animals call MVPC their home.

Dr. Karen Klinger came to Mission Valley Pet Clinic in 2006. Dr. Klinger grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in zoology in 1990. She went on to receive her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University in 1994. After graduating, Dr Klinger moved to Washington DC for six years where she worked with two veterinary practices before moving to San Diego in 2000.

Dr. Klinger shares her home with her husband Michael and three cats. Wally is an orange tabby acquired from Mission Valley Pet Clinic and Russell is a Norwegian Forest look-a-like who showed up in her front yard. After losing her beloved flame point Siamese her newest addition is Nigel, the only seal point born in a litter of 5 black cats. Nigel's now spayed mother belongs to one of our clients.

Dr Klinger enjoys performing surgeries and loves the variety in her career- each day and each case is different. When she's not working, Dr Klinger enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening and reading.

Dr. Josette Bevirt was born in Michigan and lived in Hong Kong from age 7-13. She lived in Honolulu before attending veterinary school at Colorado State University. She has a BS in psychology and biology, and an MA in art with a photography concentration.

Dr. Bevirt initially worked at MVPC part-time. When she was offered a full time position, she felt much like a feral cat that is slowly lured inside. She liked it so much that she decided to stay.  
High quality veterinary medicine is a passion for Dr. Bevirt, and she especially enjoys surgery, challenging diagnostic puzzles, and keeping pets healthy. Senior pet care is close to her heart.  Complementary medicine, including supplements and herbal treatments, are also interests of hers.

Dr. Bevirt shares a bungalow with Lily, a rescued standard poodle who often sports an interesting hairdo. She also has four leopard tortoises in the back yard and a fish tank of guppies and frogs. She misses her beloved old cat and enjoys the kitties that call MVPC home. She expects a new kitty will find her at the right time.

Dr Bevirt has several hobbies. Top of the list is adventure travel, followed closely by hiking, kayaking, jazz music, opera, remodeling her 1950 bungalow, photography, art, gardening, and community service. She particularly loves snorkeling with wild creatures, such as sea turtles and dolphins, and recently added manatees to the list.

Dr Bevirt enjoys working with clients to give their pets the best quality of life possible at every stage of life.

Consulting Surgery Specialist

Born and raised in the Washington, DC area, Dr. Dan Frankel graduated from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 1993. He then spent a year training horses and teaching skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming prior to attending the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. There he earned numerous academic awards including the Scholarship for Highest Academic Achievement in Veterinary Medicine.

Upon graduation in 1998, Dr. Frankel returned to Wyoming for two years of general veterinary practice before venturing north of the border to complete a 1-year Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College. His training culminated in a 3-year Small Animal Surgical Residency and Masters of Science program at Colorado State University. Dr. Frankel was accepted as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons soon thereafter.

He has authored several scientific articles on topics including total hip replacement and surgical treatment of liver shunts. He has also completed advanced training in TPLO, TTA, Total Hip Replacement, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Regenerative Medicine.

Dr. Frankel has been practicing at speciality referral hospitals in the San Diego and San Francisco Bay areas since 2004. Once an avid skier and soccer player, he now gets on his surfboard at every opportunity.