A native of beautiful Southern California, Dr. Marina Yamate has grown up with a passion for animals for as long as she can remember. She was always taking care of a stray litter of kittens and making habitats for all her critters. At 5 years old, on her first visit to a vet hospital, she was able to hold her kitty in her lap after being told she was very ill. This moment was also an impactful moment of meeting the kindest most compassionate Vet who patiently explained to young Dr. Yamate that everything they were providing at the hospital was a way of helping to relieve pain and suffering.
This Vet significantly influenced her experience of what could have been tragic or frightening into an encouraging, meaningful moment full of love. From there on out, her elementary school years had evidence of, “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” projects that had “Vet” written all over them. At the early age of 15, she had the unique opportunity to begin volunteering at a local animal clinic and through the years worked her way up through nearly every position within the hospital setting, including veterinary assistant, veterinary technician, and supervisor roles at general practices, private and corporate-owned as well as large emergency and specialty practices across Los Angeles
Dr. Yamate received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science Pre-Veterinary Graduate Degree from Cal State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2005 and shortly thereafter earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona in 2011. She went on to practice her discipline as a general practitioner and emergency medicine doctor in the North Orange County and San Bernardino County regions.
Dr. Yamate’s special interests include minimally invasive surgery techniques, osteoarthritis multimodal pain management, senior wellness, and urgent care. She is passionate about helping clients understand how best to care for their pets and loves that she’ll also extend that emotional connection to help owners as well. The human-animal bond is to be cherished and an understanding of how to enhance it through preventative medicine and comprehensive medical care, working together with pet parents to achieve the best quality of life and fear-free experience for all involved is why she feels lucky to get to do what she loves every day.
When Dr. Marina Yamate is away from the hospital, she loves spending quality time with her husband, Nacho, two young children Mateo and Enrique, as well as her puppy dog Khloe and Bengal kitty Chomper. She adores being a mother who can often be found at her children’s sports/extracurricular activities such as Karate, Swim, T-Ball, or BMX racing events. Camping and traveling with family and friends are events she looks forward to each year.
Dr. Amanda earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis, after completing her undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. She grew up in Whittier, California and currently resides in La Habra.
With multiple years of clinical experience, Dr. Amanda works as a relief veterinarian and provides reliable, compassionate care to support both patients and hospital teams. Her clinical skills include surgery and dentistry, and she has a special interest in behavior-focused handling and internal medicine cases, always striving to ensure a positive experience for both pets and their families.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Amanda enjoys hiking, exercising, reading, and watching reality TV. She shares her home with two cats, Maple and Pippen as well as her puppy dog Billie. What she loves most about veterinary medicine is building meaningful connections with pets and their families and knowing she plays an important role in supporting their health and well-being.
Meet Rachel, a licensed Registered Veterinary Technician at Aloha Veterinary Hospital. Originally from Roswell, Georgia, she now calls Fullerton home. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology, bringing both academic knowledge and hands-on expertise to her role.
With over seven years of experience as a veterinary assistant, as well as time spent grooming and even running her own pet sitting business, Rachel has built a well-rounded background in animal care. She has special interests in nutrition and behavior, including behavior modification, and completed externships at a local shelter—where she adopted her beloved cat Felicity. Beyond small animals, her experience also extends to exotics: she previously served as an Associate Aquarist at the Aquarium of the Pacific, working with fascinating species like jellies, coral, and seahorses.
At home, Rachel’s life is filled with pets big and small. She shares her home with her two cats, as well as a bearded dragon and several tarantulas. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, knitting, and sewing.
What she loves most about veterinary medicine is the opportunity to continuously learn and share knowledge with pet parents, helping them ensure their companions have the best quality of life. With a special soft spot for senior pets, tripods, and one-eyed “pirates,” Rachel brings both expertise and heart to every patient she cares for. She also values the Fear Free approach, believing that animal welfare encompasses both physical and emotional well-being.
Ariel comes from a family deeply rooted in animal welfare and has been surrounded by animals her entire life. Her professional background includes working in pet stores with a wide variety of species as well as two years of dog training, where she developed a strong understanding of individual animal needs and client education
She is actively involved in rescue work as a foster for local organizations and participates in TNR efforts for feral cat colonies. At home, Ariel shares her life with several rescued pets, including cats and rabbits, many of whom are senior or special needs animals who hold a special place in her heart.
Ariel is passionate about providing compassionate, fear-free veterinary care and believes strongly in advocating for the highest standard of care for every patient. She values building trusting relationships with both pets and their families and finds great fulfillment in supporting them throughout their veterinary journey.
Lauren one of our dedicated Veterinary Assistants-in-training whose compassion for animals and enthusiasm for lifelong learning make her a valued part of the Aloha Veterinary team.
A proud graduate of UC Davis, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology and is currently continuing her education through Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Professional and Global Education to become a certified veterinary assistant.
Born and raised in Whittier, California, Lauren has always had a deep love for animals. Her journey in animal care began at WAGS , where she worked as an animal caretaker.
At home, she is a loving pet parent to two fur babies, She considers them her children and her biggest source of joy. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys reading, watching movies and has recently picked up crocheting as a new hobby.
What she loves most about veterinary medicine is the opportunity to advocate for animals who can’t speak for themselves. She finds purpose in ensuring each patient receives the love, compassion, and care they deserve, and she cherishes the joy that comes with seeing patients recover and families reunited with their healthy pets. With a passion for growth and learning, she looks forward to continuing to build her skills and make a lasting impact in the field she loves.
Meet Mayra, our compassionate team member whose dedication to animal care and community wellness shines through in everything she does. A proud graduate of UC Davis, Mayra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2021, focusing on a pre-veterinary track with the goal of one day becoming a veterinarian.
Originally from Baldwin Park, California—where she still calls home—Mayra began her career in veterinary medicine in 2019 as a kennel assistant. Since then, she has worked her way up to veterinary assistant, gaining valuable experience in fast-paced general practice and urgent care clinics for dogs and cats. She also completed an internship at a wildlife rehabilitation center, where she had the unique opportunity to work with birds and deepen her understanding of diverse species.
Mayra is passionate about creating a positive and compassionate environment for both pets and their families. She places great importance on making clients feel heard, understood, and supported, and she thrives on the endless learning opportunities that the veterinary field provides. With a strong interest in community medicine, she is especially inspired by the powerful bond between animals and their humans—and is proud to advocate for the care and healing every pet deserves.
At home, Mayra is a proud cat mom to four beloved felines. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, hiking, and staying active in nature. Her thoughtful, empathetic approach and genuine love for animals make her an invaluable member of the Aloha Veterinary ohana.
Meet Nacho, our dedicated Hospital Administrator at Aloha. A proud graduate of the West Coast Ultrasound Institute of Beverly Hills, Class of 2003, Nacho brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fear-free veterinary practices to our team.
Nacho’s journey in the medical field began with a focus on ultrasonography, where he honed his skills and knowledge. With over 20 years of experience, his expertise has been shaped by roles such as Technical Director Lead Administrator for the Vascular Lab at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. This background not only provided him with a strong foundation in human medicine but also allowed him to seamlessly transition back to veterinary medicine.
Nacho’s early career in veterinary medicine began with a mobile ultrasound vet, showcasing his commitment to providing specialized care to animals. His journey continued as a vet tech in the early 2000s, and over the years, he found his way back to the veterinary field, driven by a genuine love for animals.
Currently residing in Placentia, Nacho finds joy in contributing his extensive knowledge to our local, privately-owned veterinary hospital. As a Fear Free Certified Professional, he is dedicated to ensuring that our feline and canine patients receive care that is not only medically sound but also considers their emotional well-being.
Beyond the hospital walls, Nacho is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a diverse range of hobbies. Whether he’s cycling, road/mountain biking, hiking, camping, snowboarding, or scuba diving, Nacho embraces the adventure and thrill of various activities. What he loves most about working in the veterinary field is the seamless transfer of his ultrasound expertise to benefit our animal companions. Nacho takes pride in contributing to the provision of specialty care at Aloha Veterinary Hospital, ensuring that each patient receives the highest standard of compassionate and fear-free treatment.
Bri is a dedicated Veterinary Client Concierge at Aloha Veterinary Hospital, with a passion for animal care and client service. Originally from Rancho Cucamonga, Bri now resides in Fullerton and is currently a student at Cal State Fullerton, where she is pursuing her education while also working in the veterinary field.
Bri’s journey in animal welfare began in 2017 when she started fostering kittens and volunteering with various cat rescues in the Orange County and Inland Empire areas. With over a year and a half of professional experience in the veterinary field, Bri brings a wealth of knowledge from her time working with animal rescues and her hands-on experience in animal care.
Outside of her work at the hospital, Bri is the proud owner of two cats, Clyde and Shaq, who keep her busy and provide her with endless joy. In her free time, she enjoys reading and acting in theater plays, a passion she has been involved with for many years.
What Bri loves most about working in this field is the opportunity to meet and care for all the wonderful pets that come through the door. She is committed to continuing her learning in the veterinary field and is always eager to expand her knowledge to provide the best care possible to both pets and their owners.
Meet Phoebe, an invaluable member of the Aloha Veterinary Hospital team, serving as a dedicated Veterinary Assistant. Originally from Rowland Heights, Phoebe earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the prestigious University of California, San Diego, providing her with a strong academic foundation.
With a passion for helping animals, Phoebe has been a veterinary assistant specializing in dogs and cats since 2022. Her expertise and love for furry companions shine through in every aspect of her work. At home, Phoebe shares her life with a lively bunch of pets: Dohzhu, her spirited Shiba Inu, Sparky, a delightful chihuahua/dachshund mix, and Moon, her cherished feline friend.
When she’s not providing top-notch care to our furry patients, Phoebe enjoys staying active through powerlifting and unwinding with arcade and computer games. Her enthusiasm for life is infectious, and her dedication to her craft is unmatched.
Phoebe’s true passion lies in bringing joy to both clients and their beloved pets. She finds fulfillment in continuously expanding her knowledge of veterinary medicine, ensuring that every animal receives the highest standard of care. With her warm demeanor and genuine love for animals, Phoebe is an invaluable asset to the Aloha Veterinary Hospital family.
Ari has always had a deep love for animals and began volunteering with rescues and shelters at a young age, which inspired a career in veterinary medicine. With multiple years of experience in the field, Ari started as a kennel attendant and progressed into roles as a Lead Client Service Representative and Technician Assistant. Ari has worked closely with a wide range of species, including rabbits, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, and birds, and has a particular passion for exotic pets—especially rabbits, which Ari believes deserve the same recognition and care as any other companion animal.
In addition to hospital experience, Ari spent two years working at Bunny Bunch Rabbit Rescue and Boutique as an Assistant Manager. During that time, Ari provided grooming and bonding services for rabbits, chinchillas, and guinea pigs, and led educational classes focused on proper nail trimming and brushing techniques to help owners confidently care for their small pets at home.
Outside of work, Ari shares life with two rescued pets: Skeletor, a five-year-old English Spot rabbit with distinctive skeleton-like markings and a big personality, and Slippers, a seven-year-old German Shepherd/Lab mix who loves car rides and testing Skeletor’s patience—though Skeletor definitely runs the household. On weekends, Ari enjoys unwinding by playing cozy co-op games with friends and spending quality time snuggled up with their pets.
Sofia grew up in Montebello, California and recently moved to Whittier after getting married in 2024. From a young age, she developed a deep love and compassion for animals, having grown up surrounded by dogs. This early bond inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Sofia earned her Associate of Arts in Natural Sciences from Mt. San Antonio College and went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary focus at Cal Poly Pomona.
With multiple years of experience in veterinary medicine, Sofia began her career as a receptionist before transitioning into a Veterinary Assistant role in her third year. She has also gained experience working in a high-capacity urgent care animal hospital, where she developed strong efficiency, attentiveness, and patient care skills. Sofia has a strong interest in parasitology and animal behavior, and she enjoys learning about the connections between animals and the people who care for them.
Although she does not currently have pets of her own, Sofia grew up with Labrador Retrievers, which sparked her lifelong love for dogs—especially Labradors and Golden Retrievers. She is passionate about supporting families during stressful times and takes pride in bridging the gap between clients and their pets through education, empathy, and compassionate care. Outside of the hospital, Sofia enjoys hiking and camping with her husband, exploring nature, visiting new coffee shops, thrift and antique shopping, listening to music, and collecting records from local record stores.
Samantha is a dedicated veterinary professional with over five years of experience in the field. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary option at Cal Poly Pomona and is applying to veterinary school. Samantha has worked in multiple roles within veterinary medicine, including receptionist, technician assistant, volunteer, and doctor’s assistant.
In 2022, she participated in an internship in Peru, gaining hands-on experience with both domestic and exotic animals while providing veterinary care to underserved communities. She is especially passionate about owner education and building meaningful connections with clients.
At home, Samantha shares her life with three rescue pets—her dog Freddy and kittens Chai and Matcha. She has a special love for large-breed dogs and enjoys hiking, running, and exploring new coffee and tea shops in her free time.
Veterinary Hospital
