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 Shepard 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." 

Jenn Valentino, Veterinary Technician

"I've always had a dog in my house; I met my first dog "Lady" when I was about seven years old and I fell in love with animals at that moment. Pets love you unconditionally - it's just wonderful! From a very young age I wanted to be with animals and to make a career working with animals. Somehow along the way I ended up working as an equipment leasing sales person ... not exactly what I had dreamed about as a child. I did that for about five years when I realized that the corporate life was not for me and headed back to school for a degree as a Veterinary Technician. Now I could not be happier!

Along with my husband and our dog "Dunkel", we recently drove across country from New Jersey and started our new life in California. I absolutely love working here at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital. The doctors and staff are amazing and for the first time in years I love going to work every day. When not at work, the three of us love to hike and (minus Dunkel!) we love to play golf, bike ride and simply enjoy life here in California." 

Anna Yanushkevich, Veterinary Technician

 "People call me The Cat Whisperer!  I was born in Russia, and moved here when I was 6.  I come from a family of artists, but that's not my career choice.   I want to be a VET!  I am currently going to school in the hope of obtaining that goal.  I love all animals, but  cats are definitely my favorite.   I am a foster mom to many feral cats and kittens, as well as wildlife such as baby squirrels, lizards, birds, chameleons, mice, and the occasional guinea pig.  Sometimes my house feels like a real Noah's Ark!   Although working with animals is my passion and career choice,  I have many other interests ranging from belly dancing to martial arts and astrology.    I am a vegetarian by choice ... animals are friends, not food!"    

 Danielle Gordon, Veterinary Assistant

"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. 

Kristina Wavrick, Veterinary Technician

Kristina started working here as a veterinary technician in March of 2006.  She thought that Veterinary Medicine would be her career choice, but has since changed direction towards a major in Geography. 

Kristina works magic as she juggles her time as a full time mom to son Theo, full time student at Cal State East Bay, and part time veterinary technician.  She has a wonderful and gentle way with animals, and they all seem to sense that she is their friend and there to help them. 

In her spare time, Kristina enjoys singing karaoke, hiking, going to the beach and the library!   Her 4-footed friends include a Basenji Lucy, a Mastiff named Bandit, and 5 cats Jory, Little Brother, Anubis, Jezabel and Gracie.     

Phyliss Vomacka, Veterinary Technician

"My motto is: Live Life to the Fullest!  My favorite thing in this world is the smell of puppy breath.  I enjoy working with all animals and find it very relaxing and rewarding.  I started working for Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital in 1994, and every day I've looked forward to coming to work.  In my free time I raise horses, mules and Chihuahuas.  My favorite mule is Dancer, a gaited mule. I am training my bloodhound Gatling for search and rescue.   I love to camp in the mountains with my family, my dogs and my mules.  We go way in the back country where few people can go.  I've raised 11 children, 2 of which I've given birth to.  If I had a chance to live life over, I wouldn't change a thing!"   

                                                                           

 "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 ten years!  She married her husband Tim in September 2003.  They enjoy doing anything that is outdoors - especially camping, hiking, 4 wheeling, and fishing.  Julie and Tim live right here in Pleasanton.  They have two Jack Russell Terriers, 10 year old Sydney and their deaf dog Lefty who is 5 years old. 

Guadalupe Andrade, Client Care Representative

 "At the age of five, I knew my love for creatures ran deep when I would save the worms my uncle used for fishing. My mother was none too happy when it came time to do laundry! Multiple cats, dogs, rodents and birds later, I found myself gravitating toward the veterinary field. I started as a receptionist in a San Francisco animal emergency clinic and soon moved to a daytime practice. Five years later I have found my niche at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital. I live with my better half, Jose, and our four fur kids - 2 cats Purrscilla and Monster, and 2 dogs Vida and Simon. In my spare time I love to read, go on hikes, play at the dog parks (with my dogs of course!), and go fishing. Anything relaxing! I am very interested in obtaining my Registered Veterinary Technician license and continuing my path with our wonderful clients and their pets." 

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!"  

Stacey Martin, Client Care Representative

"My entire life is devoted to animals. Growing up, my dogs were my best friends. Those feelings never waivered. I learned how much joy and happiness animals can bring to your life! I always wanted to be a veterinarian, and at one time was enrolled in an Animal Health Technician program before I began working as a receptionist at Mission San Jose Pet Hospital in Fremont and later as a veterinary technician at Ardenwood Pet Hospital. Although I adored my job, after a few years it was time for me to settle down and start my family. I am "mom" to my kids (Alexa and Jimmy) and wife to my hubby Jim. As my kids get older and more independent, I have begun to realize how deeply I have missed working with animals, and so I decided to join the wonderful team here at Pleasanton Veterinary Hospital!

My hobby since 1990 has been raising and showing Shetland Sheepdogs, mostly in the conformation ring and some agility/obedience/herding. My family and I have raised many AKC champions with many more generations to come! We are very passionate about preserving all the wonderful and endearing qualities these dogs possess. I am an advocate preserving the intelligence, beauty, structure and temperament of this breed! I belong to the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern California and work with our club's rescue service to help place shelties in need of homes. My puppy socializer is my 1 year old Ragdoll kitten "Monkey" who thinks he is a sheltie! When we aren't playing with the dogs, we are usually at the basketball court, tennis courts, relaxing, bike riding, shopping, and spending quality time together!"