For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Charlotte Graeber
Phone: (415) 351-8675
Email: charlotte@charlotte-works.com

MEDIA ALERT:
Need a Quote or an Expert Resource?

Doctors and Staff at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists Available for
Media Interviews, Background Information on a Variety of Pet-Related Topics

San Francisco, Calif., May 27, 2008 — Doctors and staff at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, Inc. (SFVS), San Francisco’s only dedicated multi-specialty veterinary hospital, are now available to provide quotes or interviews for pet-related stories, or to give background information on a variety of topics. Committed to providing the highest possible level of service to pets and their guardians, SFVS recognizes that educating the public on veterinary medical issues, as well as informing pet owners of the latest research and available treatments, is crucial to achieving this goal.

Following are SFVS doctors and staff available as media contacts, along with their areas of expertise:

 

Internal Medicine, Dentistry & Oral Surgery

Jamie G. Anderson, DVM, MS, DAVDC, DACVIM, received her DVM degree from the University of California at Davis in 1989 and a master of science in comparative pathology the following year. She completed her internship and back-to-back residencies in dentistry and small animal internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Anderson is board-certified in both specialties and was the first person to complete a university-based residency program in dentistry.

 

Internal Medicine & Cardiology Consultation

Craig H. Maretzki, VMD, MS, DACVIM, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. He completed an internship at the University of Georgia and a small animal internal medicine residency at the University of California at Davis. Between 1995 and 1998, he was a post-graduate researcher in infectious diseases at Yale University and UC Davis. Dr. Maretzki served as a clinical consultant in both internal medicine and cardiology for a national clinical laboratory and cardiology consultation service for five years.

 

Internal Medicine & Acupuncture (Combination of Eastern & Western Medicine)

Alan Stewart, DVM, CVA, DACVIM, graduated with honors from the University of Chicago and went on to continue his veterinary training at University of Illinois, graduating with honors again. He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. He obtained his residency in small animal medicine at the University of California at Davis. Dr. Stewart is one of the few internists to be certified in veterinary acupuncture, and is a sought-after lecturer around the world.

 

Dermatology & Allergy

Carlo Vitale, DVM, DACVD, received his DVM degree from Mississippi State University in 1991. He completed a small animal internship program at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. In 1994, he completed his residency training in dermatology at UC Davis, where he remained as a clinical instructor until 1997. Dr. Vitale’s professional interests include immune-mediated skin disease in the cat, drug eruptions and vaccine-associated skin disease.

 

Veterinary Surgery

Margo Mehl, DVM, DACVS, obtained her veterinary degree from Washington State University in 1999 and continued on to Colorado State University where she completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery. After completing her internship, she went on to a three-year small animal surgical residency at the University of California at Davis and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004. Dr. Mehl stayed on at UC Davis for three years, where she was an assistant professor in small animal soft tissue surgery. Her areas of expertise include vascular surgeries, such as portosystemic shunts, and renal transplantation.

 

Animal Behavior

Leslie Cooper, DVM, DACVB, graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1980 and became a member of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 1995 (one of the very few in the country!). She entered private practice in 1980 and continued to serve as a lecturer at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital until 2002. She now focuses on private practice exclusively. Dr. Cooper’s interests include the human-animal bond and feline behavior.

Sophia Yin, DVM, MS , graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1993. She earned a master's in animal science in 2001 from UC Davis, where she studied vocal communication in dogs. She also studied behavior modification in horses, chickens, giraffes and ostriches! She currently is teaching upper division undergraduate courses and performs research in domestic animal behavior at the Animal Science Department at UC Davis. She also lectures extensively locally and around the country at various animal behavior symposia. Sophia also is the proud author of The Small Animal Veterinary Nerd Book, writes a column for the San Francisco Chronicle, and has recently completed a book titled "How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves." Dr. Yin's current interest has focused on positive reinforcement to address nuisance barking and other undesirable behavior in dogs.

 

Holistic Medicine

David B. Y. Fong, DVM, L.Ac., Dipl. Oriental Medicine, is a holistic veterinarian who has been involved with holistic medicine since 1993. He is a Colorado State University graduate, a certified veterinary acupuncturist and herbalist from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, and a California board-certified licensed acupuncturist for humans. He offers complementary modalities including acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, chiropractic, nutrition and contact reflex analysis. He is dedicated to exploring new and different modalities that offer less invasive treatments than surgery, antibiotics or steroids.

 

Holistic Medicine (Especially Acupuncture & Chinese Herbology)

Ella Woods, BS, MBA, MS, Dipl. Oriental Medicine, has a degree in public health and an MBA from San Francisco State University. Ella’s lifelong love of companion animals and her appreciation of the therapeutic role they play in the lives of their humans has led her to the practice of holistic medicine. She completed a master’s program in Traditional Chinese Medicine encompassing acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. In addition, she is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and is licensed in acupuncture.

 

Please email Charlotte Graeber at charlotte@charlotte-works.com to set up interviews or request additional information.

The American Veterinary Medical Association current recognizes 20 veterinary specialties, ranging from veterinary nutrition to anesthesiology. In addition to completing veterinary school, veterinary specialists must also complete an internship and residency program of advanced training in their area of expertise.

 

About San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, Inc.

San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, Inc. (SFVS) is the first and only multi-specialty referral hospital in San Francisco. Serving the Bay Area for over 10 years, our full-service hospital offers specialized care, diagnostics and treatment. We specialize in the areas of internal medicine, oncology, surgery, dentistry, dermatology and allergy, holistic medicine, and behavior. In addition, SFVS provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week critical care and emergency services. More information can be found online at www.sfvs.net.