Management
Marina Songer, RVT, LVT has been in the veterinary field since 1987. She began by managing and serving as the lead veterinary technician at a day practice for thirteen years, which taught her a lot about the precious bond between companion animals and their “moms and dads.”
She currently holds the position of hospital administrator which keeps her very busy since AUC services approximately sixty local referring veterinary hospitals.
Marina is a long time resident of San Clemente, where she lives with her husband of over thirty years, Dan, and their furry four-footed and feathered babies.
Administrative Staff
Amy - (Administrative Assistant) - Amy has worked in the field and at AUCC since 1998. Amy earned her B.A. from CSULB. She has always had a love for animals and wanted a career working with them. She has a sweet kitty named Willow and a lively pup named Nova. In her free time, she enjoys making handcrafted cards and spending time with her family.
Cindy (Client Service Representative) - Cindy has also been in the field since 2016 and completed an ROP Animal Health Care internship. She loves to hang out with her kitties (Kitty Katie and Mammas) and curl up with a favorite book when she's not trying out new recipes in her kitchen.
Diane (Floor Nurse) - Diane is one of our wonderful floor nurses who help direct the flow of traffic and communicate treatment plans with the clients. She has been in the field since 2013, in administrative and technical roles. When she is not at AUC, she enjoys teaching yoga, going to movies and concerts and spending time with her pup outdoors. She has a German Shorthair Pointer named Banksy and 3 cats named Chewy, Penny Lane and Kiki. She hopes to continue her education and become a physical therapist (PTA).
Jessica (Client Service Representative)– Jessica has been in the veterinary field since 2002 and with AUCC since 2016. She loves to spend time with her beautiful son and daughter and their Cockapoo named Tucker. Jessica enjoys yoga, amusement parks and feeding chickens. She hopes to one day have a mini farm with rescue animals.
Manuel Client Service Representative) - Manny has been in the veterinary field since 2016. He has a B.S. in Healthcare Administration from CSULB and has aspirations to someday work in Public Health and focus on helping to improve situations in impoverished countries. He also has a passion for the silver screen and is hoping to be discovered someday! In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, running, hiking and exploring nature.
Nancy (Client Service Representative) - Nancy enjoys reading, arts and crafts, camping and hiking. She has a blind cat named Zeus that she adores. Nancy has been in the field since 2014 and one day plans to study and become a certified surgery veterinary technician.
Technical Staff
Ana - Ana has experience in day practice and emergency and has been with us since 2006 (and has been in the field since 2004). Ana has two beautiful children who keep her very busy and an adorable Westie named Heather. Ana's hobbies include fishing, roller-skating and she actually aspires to be in the Roller Derby someday!
Brigitte, RVT, LVT - Brigitte got started in her career through a family friend who was a veterinarian and has been in the field since 2000. She started at AUCC in 2006 and loves it! She has a B.A. in Religious Studies from Vanguard University. In her free time Brigitte enjoys baking, volunteering at her kids’ school, and going to the gym. She is married and has four children; they share their home with a Brittany spaniel named Brody, a Cavalier King Charles named Charlie, and two cats, Benji and Popcorn.
Chris, RVT, LVT (Lead Technician Supervisor) - Chris has been in the veterinary field and at AUCC since 2004. Chris enjoys computer and home theater install and repair, and he shares these talents with us in our IT department.
Elle - Bio coming soon...
Ellie - Bio coming soon...
Erik - Erik is going to Mount Sac to become an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) and he has been in the field since 2014. He dreams of working in zoo medicine one day! He has 2 dogs, Kuma (a Yorkie mix) and Zoey (a Corgi). When he isn't at work, he loves to spend time with his fiance and his pups, playing basketball, dance and collect shoes. He also works as a parade performer for Disney!
Ismael - “Ish” has been working in the field since 1995. He started at AUCC in 2000. He has a special interest in surgery. He shares his home with his wife and three sons, their cats Oscar and Fiona, their dog Lollie and a bird, named Freddie. In his free time, Ish enjoys spending time with his family, watching wrestling, football, baseball, basketball, and admiring classic and low rider cars.
Jacque - Jacque started in the field in 2014. She began as a receptionist and worked her way to becoming a veterinary assistant/tech. She enjoys surfing, playing rugby, listening to music, taking her two chiweenies, Moki and Kiko to the beach. She also has a cute tuxedo cat named Ziggy. Eventually she has goals to work as a clinical dietitian but still wishes to devote her time to animal welfare as well at a sanctuary someday.
Jennifer – Jen has been in the veterinary field since 2015 and with AUCC since 2017. She completed her Vet Tech Program at Platt College. Jen enjoys horseback riding, hiking and working out. She has a Quarter Horse named Daisy, a mini horse named Ducky, an Akita named Jet and a Belgian Malinois named Rocky. Jen enjoys continuing to learn ER medicine and hopes to one day specialize in equine medicine.
Jessica, RVT (Shift Supervisor) - Jessica received her Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona and she has an associates degree in Horse Ranch Management and Veterinary Technology from Mount San Antonio and is a licensed RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician). She has been working emergency for 5 years and also worked at a shelter for 2 years prior to that. She is working toward getting her VTS(ECC) (board certified technician in emergency and critical care). She loves spending time with her family and dog Ellie (a trouble making Boxer Beagle mix), baking, fostering young animals, going to the beach and horseback riding.
Jordan - Besides being a technician, Jordan does a fabulous job being a floor nurse (due to her excellent organizational skills!). She has been in the field since 1997 and has been at AUCC since 2010. Jordan enjoys hiking, dancing, swimming and traveling. She is "mom" to an adorable pup named Raisin.
Kassie, RVT - Kassie is licensed as an RVT in California and has an Associates of Applied Science degree from the Veterinary Technical Institute in Indiana. She has been in the veterinary field since 2012 and wants to go back to zoo medicine someday. On her off time, she enjoys painting, art, working out with her husband and hanging out with her Shetland Sheepdog, Gambit and Australian Shepherd named Bishop.
Melinda - Melinda has been in the field and at AUCC since 2007. She aspires to be a surgical technician in human medicine, and has already received her certification. She shares her home with her husband, her lovely daughter and baby boy and her kitty, Penelope. In her spare time, Melinda enjoys reading, going to the movies and spending time with her family.
Michelle - Michelle hails from Los Angeles originally and has a large family! (5 sisters and 2 brothers). She is an avid kitty lover and adores her cat Buddy, hamster named Teddy and bearded dragon, Nacho. Michelle has been in the field since 2012 and has been ACT certified. When she isn't trying to save kitties, she loves to go to Laker/Angel/Dodger games, yoga, snowboarding and going to the beach.
Ryan, RVT VTS(ECC) (Shift Supervisor) - Ryan has been in the field since 2012 and has accomplished a lot since he started! He became an RVT, has an Associates in Veterinary Technology and has also acquired his VTS(ECC) (Board Certified Veterinary Technician in Emergency and Critical Care). He is currently working towards becoming board certified in anesthesiology and looking forward to presenting more RACE approved Continuing Education lectures. When he isn't working or studying, Ryan enjoys playing hockey, weight lifting, enjoying time with his wife, daughter and their 2 pups. They complete their menagerie with a bearded dragon, a crested gecko and numerous fish.
Samantha, Tech Staff (Shift Supervisor) – Samantha has been in the veterinary field since 2006 and at AUCC since 2015. Samantha graduated from PVAS in 2012. She is the youngest of five sisters. In her own time Samantha enjoys fostering kittens, spending time with family, hiking, the beach, music and concerts. Samantha has three beautiful rescues, a terrier mix named Norah and two cats named Morrison and Link. She’s also an avid Anaheim Duck’s fan.
Theresa, RVT, LVT (Shift Supervisor) - Theresa joined the AUCC team in September 2012 and has been in the field for 10 years. Theresa shares her home with her husband, their 3 children, and her three Pit Bulls Raiders, Rhino and Piglet, a chihuahua named Taco, and her beloved Xoloitzcuintli, Spike. She enjoys spending time with her family and pets, riding bikes, and swimming.
Tina, RVT - Tina has been in the field since 2013 and she possesses an A.S. in Veterinary Technology and acquired her RVT license at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. She entered the field because she has a passion for felines and originally planned on working in an all feline practice. She began working in an ER/Specialty hospital and fell in love with working emergency instead! Her plan someday is to obtain her VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist) in ECC (Emergency Critical Care) and either start up or work with a cat rescue. Tina enjoys playing video games, cooking and cosplaying when she isn't working . She shares her home with her boyfriend and 3 adorable kitties, Adelaide, Sassafras and Magilou.