Dr. Alix Saavedra
Alix Saavedra, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) is originally from Colombia and was raised in Orlando, Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida before obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, completing her clinical year at Colorado State University. Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship at BluePearl in Tampa and a cardiology specialty internship at Southwest Florida Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Saavedra went on to complete her cardiology residency at the University of Missouri and achieved board certification in 2025.
Outside of work, Dr. Saavedra enjoys crafting, solving puzzles, playing games, reading, and spending time with her partner, Jarrett. They share their home with three island cats (Cyndaquil, Espeon, and Roselia) and two dogs (Maggie and Bronco).
Dr. Carley Saelinger
Dr. Saelinger is the founder and CEO of Cardiac Vet, Inc., a teleconsulting service for interpretation of cardiac diagnostic studies and a mobile echo service for veterinarians.
Her clinical interests include medical and surgical treatment of arrhythmias. She is one of two cardiologists in the United States who specialize in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) surgery, programming and defibrillation. She also customizes pacemaker programming for individual canine patients. She has vast experience and a long-time special interest in the pathophysiology & treatment of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) of Boxers and English Bulldogs. You can reference her publications on this topic and others below.
Dr. Saelinger spoke at the AVMA conference in 2019 on cardiac emergencies and provides regular CE locally and nationwide. Her commitment to education is also reflected in the cardiology internship program she has directed since 2012, securing cardiology residencies for 92% of her interns.
Dr. Saelinger is a graduate of The Schreyer Honors College at the Pennsylvania State University. She obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2007. She then completed a one-year rotating internship at the University of Florida in Gainesville, followed by a cardiology internship and cardiology residency at Louisiana State University from 2008-2012. In 2012, she successfully completed the ACVIM exams and the Cardiology specialty boards to become a Diplomate (Board Certified Cardiologist) of the ACVIM in the specialty of Cardiology.
When Dr. Saelinger has free time from keeping pets’ hearts healthy, you can find her doing the same for people. Dr. Saelinger is passionate about fitness and is a certified Spin and Body Pump instructor and favorite hobby is long distance cycling. See her personal website: thevetwhosweats.com for more information.
Dr. Saelinger was previously department head of cardiology at the Animal Specialty and Emergency Center (ASEC) in Los Angeles, CA. She maintains a part time position at ASEC involved in the training of veterinary students and interns and practicing clinical cardiology.
Social media:
Pariaut R. Saelinger C. Cardiovascular disorders chapter 8, Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat, Fourth Edition, edited by Michael Schaer, Frederic P. Gaschen and Stuart Walton, Dec 2022.
Wiggens K, Saelinger C. Isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation, JAVMA, Feb 1, 2019, Vol:254(3):pages 350-352.
Vila J, Moise S, Oxford E, Fox P, Reynolds C, Saelinger C. Structural and molecular pathology of the atrium in boxer arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. JVC, February 2017, vol: 19(1):57-67.
Pariaut R. Saelinger C. Cardiovascular disorders chapter 7, Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat, Third Edition, edited by Michael Schaer and Frederic P. Gaschen, July 2016.
McMahon P, Saelinger C. Reversal of echocardiographic right-sided heart pathology in a dog with severe pulmonary hypertension: a case report. Veterinary Medicine Research and Reports. June 2015, vol 2015(6):211-218.
Rademacher N, Pariaut R, Pate J, Saelinger C, Kearney MT, Gaschen L. Transthoracic lung ultrasound in normal dogs and dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema: a pilot study. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2014 Jul-Aug;55(4):447-52.
Pariaut R, Saelinger C, Strickland K, Vila J, Reynolds C, Beaufrere H. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in dogs: reference values and impact of pulmonary hypertension, JVIM, September 2012, vol: 26(5):1148-54.
Pariaut R, Saelinger C, Vila J, DeForge W, Queiroz-Williams C, Reynolds C, Beaufrere H, Zimmerman M. Evaluation of shock waveform configuration on the defibrillation capacity of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in dogs, JVC 2012, vol:14(3):389-398.
Pariaut R, Saelinger C, Queiroz P, Strickland K, Marshall C. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator in a German shepherd dog with ventricular arrhythmias, JVC, September 2011, vol: 13(3):203-210.
Le Roux A, Rademacher N, Saelinger C, Rodriguez D, Pariaut R, Gaschen L. Value of tracheal bifurcation angle measurement as radiographic sign of left atrial enlargement in dogs. VRU, 2012: Jan-Feb;53(1):28-33.
Ratterree W, Geiger T, Saelinger C, Pariaut R. The Value of Echocardiography and Electrocardiogram as Screening Tools Prior to Doxorubicin Administration: 101 Cases (2000-2009). JAAHA 2012; Mar-Apr;48(2):89-96
Saelinger C, Estrada A, Maisenbacher H. ECG of the Month-The Brody Effect.JAVMA, 7/15/08, Vol:233(2):231-234.
Saelinger C, Lewbart G, Christian L, et al. Prevalence of Salmonella spp in cloacal, fecal, and gastrointestinal mucosal samples from wild North American turtles JAVMA, 7/15/06, Volume 229(2):266-268.
*Board-Certification in a specialty of veterinary medicine indicates that the individual has received and completed post-graduate specialty training in an approved residency program and passed a certifying examination.
Dr. Carl Toborowsky
Carl Toborowsky, MS, MA, VMD, DACVIM (Cardiology) is an assistant clinical professor of cardiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has a Master’s degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics from the University of Missouri in St. Louis, and a Master’s degree in primatology from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania, a rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC, followed by a cardiology specialty internship at BluePearl in Southfield, Michigan. He completed his cardiology residency at the University of Georgia, and is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the specialty of Cardiology.
His interests include interventional cardiology for both congenital and acquired cardiac diseases, novel therapies for the management of congestive heart failure, management of right-sided heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, mechanisms of overcoming diuretic resistance, and modulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Outside of the office, Dr. T enjoys road cycling, getting lost in new cities, cocktail making, trying new foods, and playing and seeing live music.
Chelsi Bush
Chelsi Bush, RVT, is the Director of Operations and a cardiac sonographer/technician of Cardiac Vet, Inc.
Chelsi is a San Diego native and later attended the University of California Santa Barbara, on a full-ride athletic scholarship. After injury ended her athletic career, she began pursuing her love of animals by working in a fast pace, small animal, private practice, while simultaneously furthering her education in veterinary medicine.
From 2005-2017, Chelsi worked as an intricate part of a successful small animal, private veterinary practice in West Los Angeles. There she was responsible for managing anesthesia during surgical procedures, in addition to coordinating and obtaining all laboratory diagnostics including biochemistry and imaging.
In 2017, Chelsi joined Dr. Saelinger’s cardiology team in West Los Angeles. As a cardiology supervisor, she is responsible for aiding in training specialty interns and technicians in echocardiography, interpretation, and managing anesthesia for cardiac related procedures (i.e. pacemaker implantation, balloon valvuloplasty, PDA occlusion).
When Chelsi is not in the hospital or out performing echocardiograms, she is likely at the beach or hiking with her dog.
Cindy Ly
RVT, Cardiac Diagnostic Imaging Technician
Dan Alexander Arato, DVM
Veterinary Administrative Assistant
Dan graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2019 from Pampanga State Agricultural University. He is a compassionate and dedicated veterinarian who strives to help animals in any way he can, whether through direct patient care, client education, or supporting fellow professionals. With several years of experience in small animal practice, Dan has developed strong client communication and clinical skills. His commitment to excellence, ability to multitask, and keen attention to detail make him a reliable and valued member of any veterinary team.
David Hochman
CFO
Dianne F. Del Rosario, DVM
Veterinary Administrative Assistant
Dianne F. Del Rosario, DVM, is a compassionate veterinary professional committed to supporting both animals and the people who care for them. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2020 from De La Salle Araneta University in the Philippines, and began her career as a veterinary nurse before becoming a licensed veterinarian. Dianne gained extensive clinical experience working in a small animal hospital, where she rotated through outpatient services, the intensive care unit, and the surgical team. Currently, Dianne serves as a Veterinary Administrative Assistant in Cardiac Vet Inc., where she provides vital behind-the-scenes support to veterinary professionals. Her attention to detail and strong organizational skills help ensure smooth daily operations, all while maintaining a warm and empathetic presence. Outside of her professional life, Dianne enjoys creative pursuits such taking photographs, doing journals, plans and designing layouts. But her favorite role? Being “Mom” to her curious little boy.”
Dr. Eva Larouche-Lebel
Eva Larouche-Lebel, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) is originally from Quebec City, Canada. She obtained her veterinary degree from University of Montreal in 2011. She then completed a one-year rotating internship at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic (VEC) in Toronto and went on to practice general and emergency medicine in Toronto, Laval, Montreal and Philadelphia over the following years. In 2017, she started a research internship at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a cardiology residency. During her residency, Dr. Larouche-Lebel participated in multipleresearch projects and co-authored numerous scientific papers on various topics including echocardiography, diuretic resistance, microbiome and neurohormonal mechanisms of congestive heart failure.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her cats, hiking with her dog Wil, running, yoga, traveling, and enjoying the Quebec winter. She also loves cooking and sharing a good meal with her husband and friends.
Dr. Hannah Hodgkiss-Geere
Hannah is British and graduated from the Royal ‘Dick’ School of Veterinary Studies (RDSVS), in Edinburgh, in 2006 with Distinction. During her veterinary degree she intercalated and undertook a full time Master of Science by Research in virology. Upon qualifying Hannah entered full time mixed practice in rural Staffordshire where her interest in Cardiopulmonary medicine initially developed. Following mixed practice she entered small animal practice prior to returning to the R(D)SVS and Roslin Institute to undertake a PhD in Canine Adult Stem Cells with a particular interest in Cardiac and Mesenchymal stem cells. Following the PhD she became a Resident in Cardiopulmonary medicine, following the ECVIM-CA Diploma in Cardiology.
In 2014 Hannah joined the University of Liverpool as Lecturer in Small Animal Cardiology and gained her European Diploma in March 2015. She was appointed Senior Lecturer in Cardiology in December 2015 and Professor of Veterinary Cardiology and Education in Spring 2023. Hannah obtained Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in May 2018 and Senior Fellowship in summer 2022. She became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Autumn 2022. Hannah is Director of Undergraduate Recruitment for the Veterinary School and Deputy Head of Department for Small Animal Clinical Sciences. She enjoys teaching students, seeing cases and undertaking research. Her main areas of interest are
- Cardiac and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
- Canine pericardial disease
- Cardiac interventional procedures
- Heart rate variability
- Effect of obesity on heart disease
- Pedagogic research
- Student outreach and Education
- Widening Participation
Dr. Jaylyn Rhinehart
Jaylyn Rhinehart, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology), is an associate clinical professor of cardiology at The Ohio State University. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University (2012), followed by a small animal rotating internship at the University of Florida (2013). Dr. Rhinehart completed her master’s degree and cardiology residency at The Ohio State University (2016).
As an academic cardiologist, she has published extensively on acquired and congenital heart disease in dogs and cats. She has also mentored numerous cardiology residents who now practice veterinary cardiology nationwide.
Dr. Rhinehart lives outside of Columbus with her husband and kids. They stay busy raising three young girls and three dogs (Perloff, Benny, and Bonnie) and one cat (Mae). She enjoys the outdoors- exploring and hiking state and national parks, mushroom hunting, and persimmon picking.
Jessica Martinez
Jessica Martinez, RVT is the manager of the Cardiac Diagnostic Imaging Division and a cardiac sonographer/technician of Cardiac Vet, Inc.
Jess is a Los Angeles native, born and raised in sunny SoCal. She attended Mount St. Mary’s University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology. During her college years Jess volunteered at a local veterinary hospital where her love for veterinary medicine evolved.
Since 2014, Jess has been growing in the field and advancing her skill sets in quality veterinary medicine. In 2016 she joined a fast growing Cardiology department within West Los Angeles and fell in love with the field. Here is when she began to expand her skills into obtaining cardiac ultrasound imaging and interpretation, managing anesthesia in cardiac compromised patients, and aiding Dr. Saelinger in training new cardiology interns in echocardiography.
In her free time, Jess loves to solo hike the Sierra Nevada Mountains, play tennis recreationally and play in her amateur billiards team.
Dr. John Stack
Jon Stack, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) was born in Illinois and currently resides in Sacramento. He completed vet school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigin 2012, followed by an internship at Purdue University. From there, he worked as an emergency veterinarian outside Washington, DC, then accepting a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford to focus on research. He then moved back into clinical medicine, accepting and completing a cardiology residency at the University of Illinois and working as a board certified cardiologist in private practice since then. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoor activities available in northern California, as well as going to local sporting events (go River Cats!). He lives with his partner Sunny, and their furry quadruplets: two dogs, Ellie and Quinn, and two cats, Momo and Katsu.
Dr. Kendra Zelachowski
Kendra Zelachowski, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned both her undergraduate degree (2017) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2021) from The Ohio State University, cementing her status as a devoted Buckeye sports fan. Dr. Zelachowski completed a rotating internship at North Carolina State University, followed by a cardiology residency at Texas A&M University.
During her residency, she conducted research on Chagas disease and advanced imaging techniques for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). She has since returned to The Ohio State University, where she serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Cardiology.
Outside of work, Dr. Zelachowski enjoys spending time with friends, family, her cat, Phoenix, and her dog, Delta. Her hobbies include furniture restoration, jigsaw puzzles, watching sports, and exploring Columbus’s vibrant restaurant scene.
Lilet Tranquillero, DVM
Veterinary Administrative Assistant
Lilet earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine in 2012 and has since explored different areas of the field, including small animals, exotic pets, and the pet care industry. She’s passionate about helping all kinds of animals and loves learning new things along the way. When she’s not working, you’ll find her cuddling with her fur babies and spending time with her little humans.
Dr. Logan Funk
Logan Funk, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) spent his formative years in northeastern Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the duration of his undergraduate and veterinary medical studies. He completed an emergency and critical care internship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as a specialty cardiology internship in Los Angeles, California. In July of 2019, Logan began a cardiology residency at the University of Missouri. He finished the program in July of 2022 and contemporaneously received board-certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the specialty of cardiology.
Dr. Marta Karn
Marta Karn, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. Following graduation, she completed internships at Petcardia Veterinary Cardiology and North Carolina State University. She then returned to Colorado State University, where she completed her cardiology residency and earned board certification in July of 2025.
Her clinical interests include congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, and emergency cardiac case management. She values working closely with families to create individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs, while also maintaining strong communication with referring veterinarians to ensure continuity of care. She strives to serve as both a medical resource and a source of support, helping families understand the complexities of cardiac disease and feel confident in every step of their pet’s care.
Outside of work, Dr. Karn enjoys life in Colorado with her husband, three children, and two dogs. She loves spending time outdoors, weekends on the soccer field, and winning family game nights.
Dr. Nekesa Morey
Nekesa Morey, BVM&S, MRCVS, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) grew up in Nairobi, Kenya before obtaining her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She moved to the United States where she completed a rotating internship in Denver at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital and a cardiology specialty internship in Seattle at Seattle Veterinary Specialists, Blue Pearl. Following this, she moved to Columbia, Missouri where she completed her cardiology residency and obtained board certification in July 2023. Nekesa currently lives in the United Kingdom and works at the Royal Veterinary College in London in the cardiology department. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, walking, hiking and biking with her partner, Paul and cooking delicious food for friends and family.
Dr. Rima Kharbush
Rima Kharbush, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) is originally from the Midwest, having been born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota for her undergraduate education, then received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin in 2016. After pursuing rotating and cardiology internships in Albuquerque and Los Angeles respectively, she completed her residency training in cardiology at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She obtained board certification in 2021. She currently works as a clinical cardiologist at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota.
Dr. Kharbush’s clinical interests include treating cardiac emergencies, performing minimally invasive interventional procedures to treat congenital and acquired disease, and the clinical utilization of echocardiography. She has a particular interest in the advancement of feline medicine, as well as working together with owners and veterinarians to optimize chronic heart failure therapy and maximize quality of life in her patients. When she is not at work, Dr. Kharbush enjoys reading, playing soccer, watching Packers games, and taking advantage of local cuisine and breweries. She also spends a significant amount of time spoiling her dog, a little chihuahua mix named Dobby, who she adopted as a resident after surgical repair of a heart defect.
Dr. Ross Feldgreber
Dr. Ross Feldgreber, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He obtained his veterinary degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2015. He then completed a one-year rotating internship with BluePearl in Northfield, Illinois, followed by a cardiology specialty internship and residency with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Fall, New Jersey. Following residency, he became board certified by American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in specialty of cardiology.
Dr. Feldgreber enjoys all aspects of cardiology, especially working with pet owners to help them understand their pet’s condition. His particular clinical interests including interventional procedures for congenital heart disease, treatment of congestive heart failure, diagnosing/treatment of arrhythmias and management of pulmonary hypertension.
Outside of work, Dr. Feldgreber enjoys spending time with his family including his wife, two daughters and sheepadoodle. He love to play/watch/attend sporting events, exercising, exploring new places and restaurants and visiting his former overnight camp in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Camp Menominee..
Dr. Samantha Salmon
Dr. Salmon DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) is a clinical Cardiologist practicing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She achieved her Doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 2016 at Colorado State University. She then went on to complete a 1-year Medicine and Surgery rotating internship at the University of Minnesota and completed a Veterinary Cardiology residency at the University of Georgia in 2020. She became board certified in 2021. Her professional interests include arrhythmia management, medical management of congestive heart failure, and catheter based interventional procedures. She also enjoys visiting the local zoos to provide cardiac care to exotic species. Dr. Salmon also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree in Environmental Health and Toxicology.
Dr. Salmon is a Colorado Native, growing up in a suburb just outside of Denver. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, hiking, backpacking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and distance running.
Sandra Pruneda
Cardiac Diagnostic Imaging Technician
Dr. Scott Forney
Scott Forney, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) was raised in Martinez, Georgia and currently resides in Boulder City, Nevada. He graduated from the University of Georgia with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. He went on to obtain his veterinary degree at the University of Georgia in 2004. The following year he completed a rotating internship at North Carolina State University followed by a 3-year cardiology residency at the California Animal Hospital in West Los Angeles, CA. He obtained his board certification in 2009 and has been a clinical cardiologist in Las Vegas since 2008. Dr. Forney opened his own cardiology practice in 2023, Animal Cardiology Specialists of Nevada where he continues practice clinical cardiology.
Dr. Forney’s clinical interests include medical management of chronic heart disease, echocardiography, and client and veterinarian education. Outside of work he enjoys golf, tennis, live music, and all things related to sports (Go Dawgs, Braves, Falcons, and Golden Knights!). He has two sons that he loves to geek out with at the comic book store and a wife of over 17 years that he loves traveling with as much as possible.
Dr. Timothy Hodge
Dr. Timothy Hodge grew up in Central California and currently resides in Southern California.
He attended UC Davis for undergraduate studies. He earned his doctorate from Purdue University. He then completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at the Animal Medical Center of New York, followed by a cardiovascular research fellowship in Columbus, Ohio. He continued his training with a cardiology residency at North Carolina State University and passed his specialty certification examination in 2013 to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology). Dr. Hodge currently works as a clinical cardiologist for the University of California in San Diego. Dr. Hodge has particular interests in arrhythmia management, minimally invasive interventional procedures, and myocardial diseases.
Dr. Justin Thomason
Justin Thomason, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM & Cardiology) is originally from southwest Oklahoma. He received his DVM degree from Oklahoma State University in 2002 and completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Missouri the following year. He then went on to complete a residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Georgia, followed by a second residency in cardiology, also at the University of Georgia. He has served on the faculty at several veterinary schools throughout his career – as a small animal internal medicine clinician at the University of Georgia and Oklahoma State University and as a cardiologist at Kansas State University. He currently works in private practice.
Justin enjoys teaching veterinary students and training the next generation. He has also trained 6 cardiology specialty interns. His clinical interests are arrhythmia (especially neurocardiogenic bradycardia), cardiorenal syndrome, and diastology.
When not working, Justin enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with his wife, Sasha and son, Will. He has two dogs (Dash and Paisley) and one cat (Harry), two of which were born with congenital heart defects – Paisley, an Australian Shepherd born with a PDA and Harry, a Maine Coon born with a VSD.
Favorite quote: “You can’t teach anybody anything, only make them realize the answers are already inside them.” Galileo Galilei