Kristi Orizaga - Certified Veterinary Technician, Technician Coordinator

Kristi has been an Animal Emergency and Urgent Care Team member for over 6 years. Married since 2003, Kristi and husband Ian now have a beautiful son named Gabe.  Sitting for the National Exams, Kristi received her Certified Veterinary Technician license.  Kristi is also an integral part of the AEUC management team as a Technician Coordinator.  Her technical competence and years of experience will help ensure your pet receives excellent care at our hospital.

History of Employment:

AEUC: 2002 - Present

Coffee Road Animal Hospital & Stiern Veterinary Hospital: 1998 - 2002

Hobbies: Work and Gabe.

Interests: I love candle light dinners and long walks on the beach with my husband Ian.

Pets: 4 dogs- Thelma, Louise, Cheyenne, & Chispita; and 3 cats- Gidget, Freeway, & Runaway.  

Joanne Reifer - Veterinary Assistant, Technician Coordinator

Joanne has worked in the veterinary field for 13 years. She was born and raised in Ventura, California, and that's where she started her veterinary career. Leaving Ventura 8 years ago, she somehow ended up in Bakersfield, California.  No complaints anymore she says, "I have met many great friends in this town!" Having completed the Registered Veterinary Program recently at Bakersfield College she plans to sit for the state boards soon. Joanne resides with her fiance of 13 years, and his 2 beautiful teenage daughters. They recently announced that they are expecting their first baby together! Both are very excited and very nervous. Joanne came to Animal Emergency And Urgent Care part time in 2002 and has been a dedicated and hard working full time AEUC Team member since 2004. In addition to her many duties, Joanne is also one of our Technician Coordinators.

History Of Employment: Adobe Animal Hospital: 1995 - 1999; Coffee Road Animal Hospital: 1999 - 2005

Hobbies: Hiking, scrap booking, working, taking "Gunner" out to run in the mountains.

Interests: Spending time with friends, family, and her fiance.

Pets: 3 cats- Battle, Pumpkin, Jack; and 1 dog- Gunner.

Diana Shields - CVT, Inventory Coordinator

Di, as she is known to her friends and co-workers, has been with Animal Emergency and Urgent Care for 5 years. Before joining the AEUC team, she worked in a day practice veterinary hospital for 2 years. Along with being an integral member of our nursing team, Di also keeps inventory and performs the medical supply ordering for the hospital.

Hobbies: Di loves to snowboard and travel. Having been all across the USA, and most recently to Jamaica, Di now has plans to snowboard in Canada.

Interests: Travel around the world and working her way through emergency hospitals. 

Pets: 2 dogs- Mogie and Mazie; 2 cats- Mayhem and Marvel. 

Valerie Squire - RVT, CVT, Imaging Coordinator

4 years ago after the Hospital she was employed at burned down, Val came to Animal Emergency and Urgent Care. Born in Ridgecrest, Calif, Val communted the many miles between Ridgecrest and Bakersfield just to get to work. Now living in Bakersfield, Val and her husband Will have a new son, David. 

Valerie is in charge of our imaging department and ensures our staff members are trained in using our radiology and ultrasonography equipment.  With her gentle and caring nature, we are lucky to have her as a part of our AEUC Team.

School: San Joaquin Valley College

Hobbies: Include cross-stitching, knitting, beading, crocheting, and making scarfs and blankets.

Interests: Movies and dining out with her husband. 

Pets: 6 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 goldfish.

Melissa Dunn - RVT

Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Melissa attended technician school in Denver, Colorado at the Bel-Rea Institute for Veterinary Technology. She moved shortly thereafter to Twenty-Nine Palms with her husband, and worked as a veterinary technician. After Melissa's husband completed his service in the Marines, the couple moved back to Bakersfield. Melissa has been with Animal Emergency and Urgent Care since 2007.

Pets: 2 cats- Patches and Muffles, and a dog- Strider.    

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