Our Staff

Nancy Kasso, Office Manager

“I have loved animals my entire life.  As a child I was fascinated with every creature that I came into contact with, and often stretched my mother’s patience when I’d walk in the door with a snake, lizard, frog or homeless kitten peeking out from under my curly hair.  This childhood wonder with animals developed into a deep desire to help animals in need.  I am proud to work at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital, where the skill and compassion of the entire staff never fail to amaze me as they work passionately to take such good care of your pets.  I have been deeply committed to rescue work and have fostered and adopted into homes hundreds of homeless cats and kittens.  It's so rewarding to care for a sick or scared animal, and then watch the faces of a family light up with love and excitement when they adopt him and shower him with hugs and kisses.  My own pets are Heidi, a corgi/beagle mix, and three kitties Thunder, Wyatt and Angel.  With my husband Mike and son Ryan, we love to get on the road and travel, whether it’s just a day trip or longer vacation.  We enjoy hiking, boating and just being together!"

Laurie Ananian, Registered Veterinary Technician  

"Happiness to me is having my furry pet snuggle up with me every evening. When I look back through my life, there was never a time we didn't have pets. Along the way we had everything from horses to ferrets. But there was always a soft spot in my heart for dogs. As a child I spent five years raising dairy goats and showing market hogs in 4-H, which led me to my first job in a veterinary hospital. I quickly realized this would be the career for me. I went back to school to get my Associate in Science degree and became licensed through the state of California as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Soon after, my husband and I got our first dog, an Australian Shepherd named "Rylee". I wake up every morning excited to come to work, for the first time in years! When I'm not working I enjoy the beach, boating, camping and traveling."

Rebeca Suarez, Veterinary Technician

"With the help of a very special furry friend, I learned how to take my first steps. It was because of our Labrador mix that at such an early age I learned the special bond we build with our four legged friends.

From Living in Spain to living here in Northern California, I can't remember a day in which I didn't have contact with an animal. In Spain I've been around horses, pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, roosters, rabbits, a donkey and of course cats and dogs. As a young girl here in the Bay Area I was lucky to have had a dog, a cat, a cockatiel, a hamster, fish, three rabbits, a rooster and a few chickens all at one time. I now currently share my heart with my grey and white tabby Eddie and my three box shell turtles. I'm definitely going to expand my brood when the time is right.

I enjoy my job; every day is a different day. I love not knowing what is going to walk through our doors, or what type of four legged friend I'm going to meet on the other side of the exam door. We have our sad days, but each lick, tail wag, purr or head butt makes all the sad times easier to deal with."

Kathryn Osborne, Registered Veterinary Technician

"Every day I wake up and am excited to see what impact I can make on an animal's life. I go to work knowing that I will go home smiling and feeling accomplished. Growing up we always had dogs, and at a very young age I knew my career would involve working with animals. My life as a veterinary technician started at age 18. As soon as I graduated high school, I started college knowing I wanted to get my degree. I moved to Sacramento where I eventually found my love for cats also and adopted two. I attended CSU-Sacramento and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I then took my test in 2008 and became a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Along my journey of working and school, I met my husband who I married in 2007. We started a large family of 4-legged, furry children and eventually made our way back to the East Bay where we live with our 2 dogs, Shelby a Pitbull / Border Collie cross, and Cobra a Rottweiler, our 7 kitties Taylor, William, Laynie, Harley, Dakota, Lexie and Keeko, and our turtle named Red. When I am not working or taking care of my children, I like spending time with friends and family, jet skiing, snowboarding, wine tasting and traveling."

Danielle Gordon, Veterinary Technician

"I love animals, and this is the perfect place to get interaction with them.  I love seeing all the new kittens and puppies coming for their first visit with us and seeing them grow up into beautiful adults."

Danielle first started working at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital in May of 2006 while still attending Foothill High School, here in our own town of Pleasanton.  She is now attending Las Positas College.  Danielle enjoys a friendly game of soccer, football or softball, and you will find her outside enjoying the beautiful California weather.  During the winter you will find her on the slopes of the local mountains snowboarding and skiing.  Danielle has joined many clubs including 4-H and soccer clubs.  She enjoys pet sitting for the local community in her free time, and is currently living  with her parents and brother, dog Pepper, and 3 cats Paris, Elvis and Sassy.

Jeanna Schnurbusch, Registered Veterinary Technician

Jeanna joined Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital in May of 2009 shortly after getting married and moving to the area. She graduated from Foothill College in June of 2009 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. She has passed her national board exam and is waiting for a test date for her state boards.

In her free time, Jeanna enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Jeanna lives with her husband, John, their cats, Andrew and Slater, their Amazon parrot, Lucy, and their Texas desert tortoise, Jill.

Danielle Connolly, Client Care Representative

"While living in Australia at the age of 3, my love and interest of animals became noticed as I attempted to pet an Emu at a local wildlife park and it bit my finger! After that, I stuck to holding the baby koalas! Three years later, once my family became settled back in California, we adopted two cats Snowy and Kaitlin, who were my family pets while growing up. In 2005 after settling out on my own, I was finally able to get a dog of my own! I adopted a 3 pound, 8 week old puppy, who according to the Animal Rescue was a terrier/dachshund mix and would be a maximum of 18 pounds when fully grown. Well ... over 3 years and 32 pounds later, I have a shepherd mix named Boo, and she is the absolute love of my life!

I graduated from CSU Chico in 2004 with a B.A. in Journalism/Public Relations and a minor in Music Business. Besides working at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital, I have been a volunteer with Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation since November 2007 and have worked in the health care industry since 2005. I plan to continue working and learning in the veterinary field. My hobbies include scrapbooking, listening to live music, movies, reading and spending time with Boo, of course!"

Beth Long, Client Care Representative

"I have always loved animals. Growing up in Washington, my friends and I would find orphaned litters of bunnies. We would each take one home, intent on keeping them alive until we could release it into the wild. I get my love of animals from my mom, who one day came home with a Dachshund named Lady. Lady lived a long and happy life with us. We adopted many more "mutts" over the years; all have a special place in my heart.

Years later as a single mom, my daughter and I talked our landlord into letting us have a hamster. Then I met my future husband who had quite a zoo of animals (2 legged and 4); a Golden retriever, 2 cats, a bird, rats, a rabbit and a Chinese Box Turtle named Flash. Today we have two wonderful Goldens, Miss Fanny Rose and Rufus, and Flash the turtle is still around, as is the future husband.”

Julie Forseth, Client Care Representative 

"I have had a life time love of animals and am delighted to now be embarking on the career I have always wanted. After earning my BS in Biology, I was a Biology teacher at both Jr. High School and High School levels for six years. But I have decided to follow my dreams, and I am currently enrolled in the Registered Veterinary Technician program at Western Career College. I absolutely love it! Although I have always had pets and felt I knew a lot about them, I have been astonished about how much more I am learning every single day. It is great to be immersed in something that I love so much. My job here at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital as a receptionist is a great bridge between my schooling and my ultimate goal to become an R.V.T. " 

Julie Leonard, Client Care Representative

"I have always enjoyed working with people and animals. Working in the front office I get to experience both!"

Julie was born and raised in Castro Valley, California. She has attended both Cal State University East Bay and San Jose State University, and has an A.A. degree in Liberal Studies. Julie has been here at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital for many years, and many clients have come to consider her a part of their family. She married her husband Tim in September 2003, and they have a new baby named Will who is absolutely adorable! They enjoy doing anything that is outdoors - especially camping, hiking, 4 wheeling and fishing.