Our Team
MEET OUR TEAM!
Learn about our team at Topa Mountain Animal Hospital, Oak View, CA. Committed to exceptional veterinary care, we prioritize your pet’s well-being with passion and expertise.
Get to know our team!
We are dedicated to your pet’s well-being! Explore our commitment to exceptional care. Scroll down to meet our team. We’re eager to connect with you and learn more about your cherished companions.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Mary Ashley Waikart
DVM
Dr. Mary Ashley Waikart, originally from South Carolina, started her veterinary career in Ventura, California in 2007 after graduating from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
She has worked as an emergency vet as well as a general practitioner and surgeon in Ventura, Sherman Oaks, and Santa Barbara.
Dr. Waikart is now the proud owner of Topa Mountain Animal Hospital.
She and her husband moved to Ojai in 2015 and welcomed a precious daughter to their family in 2019. They currently cuddle up with a pitty mix named Kernel Biscuits to complete that family. Outside of work, Dr. Waikart enjoys surfing, yoga, and traveling.
Dr. Katie Sahyouni
DVM
Dr. Katie Sahyouni is a Southern California native. She attended the University of Southern California for her undergraduate training in Biomedical Engineering then went on to obtain her veterinary degree at UC Davis.
Shortly after, she completed a rotating internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group in Ventura, then a specialty internship at Animal Surgical and Emergency Center in Los Angeles where she worked exclusively with the Internal Medicine team.
She then worked in general practice in Santa Barbara and now is happily part of the team here. She currently lives in Ventura with her husband, son, and her sassy orange cat named Cheesy Puff.
In her time outside of work, she enjoys traveling, surfing, hiking, going to USC football games, and taking her baby to the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Dr. Kristin Unverferth
DVM
Dr. Kristin Unverferth grew up in Ohio and graduated from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She practiced for ten years in Aspen, Colorado, doing general medicine, surgery, and after-hours emergency care until she moved to California. She has been practicing at Carpinteria Veterinary Hospital since 2008 until joining the team at TMAH. She lives in Summerland with her sweet kitten Squirrel Monkey and enjoys being outdoors in nature, cycling, hiking, beach walking, and traveling. She looks forward to getting to know you and your beloved furry family members.
Our Staff
Kendall Ella
Hospital Manager
Kendall Ella, our hospital manager, is also a SoCal native, born in Ojai and raised in Santa Barbara.
Working with animals has always been her passion since she was in elementary school. She started out working at a local pet store working with small animals, reptiles, and fish and eventually graduated into working as a kennel attendant in a clinic in Santa Barbara, then as a receptionist, then a veterinary assistant, and finally a hospital manager.
She has 2 handsome cats, Bug and Pico de Gato, and a boxer named Harley, who her parents bribed her with to go to UCSB instead of UC Davis.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, baking, going to the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market, collecting board games, and playing video games with her partner. Kendall is proud to serve this community by helping care for all these amazing pets!
Megan Corte
Lead Receptionist and Office Manager
Megan Corte, our lead receptionist and office manager, is from the Inland Empire/Rancho Cucamonga.
At home, Megan is the doting mother to her 2 pups, Dodger and Emma. Dodger is a 9-year-old Havapoo who has a very sweet trick of dancing on his back feet. Emma, a 13-year-old Daschund, loves having her ears and tummy rubbed all day long.
Outside of work, Megan loves to craft and do all sorts of fun DIY projects. You’ll likely recognize Megan as one of our nicest team members, always greeting everyone with a smile on her face. She’s been with Topa Mountain Animal Hospital since our beginning and was here at Animal Clinic of Oak View for 2 years prior to that!
Before getting into the veterinary industry, Megan was a store manager for Brighten Collectibles. Megan’s passion is to help animals with outstanding customer service.
Sergio Garcia
Inventory Manager
Sergio is our inventory manager, from Oxnard, CA. Sergio has had a long history in the veterinary field, starting back in 2015 when he worked in the neurology department at a VCA specialty hospital. He’s since worked in ER, surgery, cardiology, and ophthalmology.
Sergio has had extensive experience working with rescues, as he used to be the manager at SPARC. Sergio has 2 puppies, Khaleesi (a 6-month-old Rottweiler) and Chanel (a 4-month-old Frenchie). Chanel’s favorite activity is snoring like an old man.
Outside of work, Sergio loves going to the gym, traveling, trying out new restaurants, working on cars, collecting sneakers, and building things.
Jackie Herrera
Veterinary Assistant
Jackie, from Ventura, CA, is one of our amazing vet assistants, having been with us from the beginning and before that when Topa Mountain Animal Hospital was the Animal Clinic of Oak View for 3 years!
Jackie has a not-so-furry critter at home, a 3-year-old turtle named Seaweed! When she’s not busy saving lives, Jackie loves to go to the gym and go on adventures with her son.
One thing to know about Jackie is that she’s an enchilada maker extraordinaire!
Carissa Arellanes
Carissa is another proud local, born and raised in Ventura County! Carissa is the owner of 2 kitties, O’Malley and Flynn Rider.
O’Malley is an 18-year-old orange tabby who knows a lot of tricks! While he’s a sweetheart at home, he’s feared by all in this field.
Outside of work, Carissa spends a lot of time at Disneyland! Carissa has been in this field for almost 20 years! She’s worked in a surgery specialty hospital, she’s worked in a cat-only hospital, and worked with exotic animals for 13 years!
Carissa is a lover of all the cats and kittens, spicy or sweet.
Monica Salgado
Monica is a proud local to our area, born and raised in Ventura. Monica has 2 huskies (Luna and Taz) and 3 chihuahuas (Dash, Coco, and Preciosa).
Monica has been with us since before it was Topa Mountain Animal Hospital and before that she worked as a caregiver.
Outside of work, Monica enjoys going to the gym and hanging out with her pups. Monica is an expert in making the purr-fect purr-ito!
Monica is an excellent photographer for all the patients who have made our “photo hall” such a joy!
Cassandra Mendivil
Cassandra grew up right down the road in Oxnard, CA.
She is the proud mother to 3 of the sweetest cats, Sammy, Cleo, and Pipi. Sammy is the biggest foodie, Cleo is in love with bees and knows how to play fetch, and Pipi is obsessed with her toys.
Outside of work, Cass loves to travel, listen to music, and bake up delicious treats. She has been in this field for over a year now. Be sure to quiz Cass on any dog breeds, she’s a self-proclaimed dog-breed know-it-all!
Alyssa Clark
Receptionist
Alyssa Clark, one of our amazing receptionists, is from Simi Valley.
Outside of work, Alyssa is an exceptionally talented dancer and even teaches dance lessons to cute kiddos!
She loves spending time and shopping with her daughter, Piper. She has a 7-year-old Chihuahua/poodle mix named Tootise (AKA Tooters, Toots), who often makes an appearance when welcoming our clients and patients into our hospital.
Alyssa has been working in this field for 3 years, and before that was a receptionist at a hair salon for 12 years!
Alyssa is our snack queen, always bringing the tastiest treats to work and she loves each and every fur baby that comes through our doors.