Meet Our Team

Longtime friend of the Wheaton family, in 2007 he received the rare opportunity to be an integral part of the start up of a very worthy cause, The Pet Rescue Center.  With a recent background in Property Management and Corporate Office Management, he transitioned well into both positions.

If Tim looks at all familiar to you, it may be the resemblance to his brother, Dr. Wheaton.  Tim is the youngest son of the Wheaton clan, 16 months junior to Dr. Wheaton.  The two of them were around animal care all of their lives, going with their Dad to his veterinary hospital from as far back as they can remember.  They both watched a lot of surgeries as kids; one day, Tim hit his limit and couldn’t handle all of the procedures any longer.  It’s probably around that time that the brothers started to take different roads: Matthew heading toward what would lead him to become a veterinarian… Tim down the more creative path that would make him a writer for a decade before he exchanged typewriter for camera and became a professional photographer.

Diana joined the staff in February of 2022. Diana came to us with a variety of experience in the field and having successfully spearheaded social media and marketing for multiple small businesses. Within just the first month of her presence with the hospital, the compliments had already started pouring in from our clients (and non-clients) that proved she was perfect for this job in this hospital.

Lauren became our lead receptionist in December of 2020. She is one of our few employees that isn’t originally from Southern California. She came here from Columbus, Ohio by way of Chicago, Illinois. Lauren and her husband have a dog named Maddie that they adopted when they were in college. They also welcomed a son into the world at the beginning on 2021. Lauren’s favorite thing to do other than spend time with her family, is to travel the world. She loves visiting other states as well as visiting other countries. If she could live anywhere in the world, she would choose either Italy or Ireland. Lauren loves to listen to music, and and no music genre is off limits! Her all-time favorite band is “The Beatles”. Her all-time favorite movie is “Forrest Gump” and her favorite book is “Little Women” (she loves movies and reading.) Lauren played golf in high school and college and still enjoys playing recreationally. She also loves to stay active by playing other sports. Lauren enjoys being able to come to APCC everyday and make a difference in our clients’ and patients’ experiences, as well as working closely with the people she calls “friends and family”.

Quinnlan started as a receptionist here at APCC in September of 2019. A Southern California native, she would choose to live in Italy if she could live wherever her heart desired. When she isn’t at work, Quinnlan enjoys traveling, going to concerts and loves to spend time with her pups Manson, Barley and Theo (whether at the beach or hiking), and she recently got married to her amazing husband! Her favorite bands include The Maine, The Story So Far, Neck Deep and so many others. Although her favorite TV show of old was The OC, currently she loves Shameless and any kind of “True Crime” documentary. As a youth, Quinnlan wanted to be a teacher, yet there was also this drive inside of her to work with animals, one way or another. We are so happy to have connected with this pitbull lover and help her get her start in the veterinary field! We’re excited to see where this road ends up taking her.

Katia, who you may know as “Kat”, joined the reception team late in 2021. Kat is another in our long list of SoCal natives. If she could live anywhere, she’d prefer to move to Iceland or anywhere woodsy. A big sports fan, her favorite is the beloved Chicago Cubs. If she was an animal, she fancies herself as a giraffe. Kat’s all-time fave TV show is Grey’s Anatomy and her go-to karaoke song is “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. If she could have any superpower, she would want to manipulate time (so, maybe you could call her Dr. Strange? Don’t quote us on that.). Outside of work, Kat loves to watch TV and movies; she is a huge fan of the Star Wars and Marvel universes. Her hidden talents are being able to burp on command as well as being weirdly flexible… we failed to clarify if she can do both at the same time. As a kid, she dreamt of being either a neurosurgeon or a veterinarian; APCC is here to make dreams come true for our beloved team members!

Rita joined our hospital during the summer of ’15 and has been a great addition to the hard-working kennel team. When she isn’t spending time at the gym or at work, it’s a good bet you’ll find her spending time with her mini Chihuahua “Tomasita”. If she was an animal, she thinks she would be a cheetah and if she could have any super hero power, she would want to be able to fly. When she was younger, she always wanted to be a law enforcement officer when she grew up, which is probably why she says ‘Cops’ is her favorite TV show. Good thing for us, Rita loves working here at APCC; enjoys waking up to do something that she loves, helping all of the animals that she loves.

Monica joined our hospital very early in 2022. An avid reader, we were all excited to have a new team member join our APCC Book Club. Monica comes from a big family that takes playing Monopoly very seriously. Since they may be fairly competitive about that, it might not be best to tell her Dad that she listed “my Dad’s jokes” as her biggest pet peeve (we won’t tell if you won’t!). She has 2 cats named after Spanish folklore, stating that happened because she lost the vote with her family. Monica has visions of being a Disney princess, and as such: she’d love to be able to talk to all of the animals. When she was little, she wanted to be a dolphin trainer. Her favorite TV show is “One Tree Hill” and her go-to karaoke song is “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5. Monica has been a marvelous addition to our strong Reception team here and we hope you get to experience her kindness when you call or come in with your pet!

Marla joined our crew in the chilly season of 2022, and boy, did she bring a wave of positivity with her! Growing up in California and living on a boat with her dad from her teens, it’s no surprise that Marla is all about the ocean life. She dreams of island living, maybe in Hawaii or a quaint coastal town in Europe. When she’s not fantasizing about breathing underwater, you can find Marla paddleboarding, hanging out with her boyfriend and their adorable dog Pinto Bean, or getting lost in a good book. She’s also into camping, rollerblading, writing, and making a splash with her swimming skills. Marla’s got a taste for the classics – Frank Sinatra’s her jam, but she’s full of surprises; just wait till you hear her belt out “The Real Slim Shady” at karaoke! Volleyball’s her game, and she’s even rubbed elbows with Kerri Walsh. Here’s a fun tidbit: Marla once had a whopping 27 guinea pigs! As a kid, she toggled between dreams of being a marine biologist or a lawyer. We’re thrilled that her life’s journey led her to us at APCC, where she’s a total breath of fresh air!

Frankie, who joined APCC as a receptionist in May 2023, is a lover of nature, family, and the simple joys of life. Dreaming of a life in the countryside with cows and goats, Frankie embodies a spirit of tranquility and adventure. Frankie enjoys reading, immersing in movies and TV shows, and appreciating the beauty of trees (she *really, really* likes trees). Family time is central to Franke’s life, sharing three musically talented and sporty children with her significant other. Along with 2 cats and a dog, Frankie’s home is always filled with love and a bit of delightful chaos. Her hobbies include being a homebody who relishes movie nights and reading, balanced with outdoor activities like beach trips and golfing, where friendly competition is a family trait. With diverse tastes in music and entertainment, from “Gilmore Girls” and Marvel movies to cheering on her beloved San Francisco 49ers. A secret talent for cleaning, a history in water polo, and unique culinary tastes (like peanut butter, bacon, and pickle sandwiches) add to Frankie’s charm. Deeply connected to her Native American heritage through the Chickasaw tribe, Frankie carries a rich tapestry of experiences and stories, making her a valuable and intriguing member
of the APCC team.

Susy joined our team in the Summer of 2023 as a receptionist. She dreams of living a tranquil life on a ranch in Montana, surrounded by cows and horses. Her hobbies include binge-watching shows and embracing her love for Target trips, which she considers a pastime. Hint for anyone serving food to Susy: when she asks for ranch, she doesn’t want just one container of it. She shares her home with two beloved dogs: Oakley, a 2-year-old Chocolate Lab who still thinks he’s a lapdog, and a 10-year-old Chihuahua who’s a bit of a cranky grandma but holds a special place in Susy’s heart. Outside of work, Susy’s life is filled with diverse interests. She enjoys gym sessions, beach trips, horseback riding, and snowboarding during winter. Susy’s taste in entertainment is as eclectic as her hobbies, with a love for Zach Bryan, The Lumineers, and TV shows like “That ’70s Show”. Her all-time movie favorites include the “Twilight” series, (Susy is Team Edward). Growing up surrounded by animals, Susy always knew she wanted to be involved in helping them live long, happy lives. This lifelong passion for animal welfare aligns perfectly with her role at APCC, where she gets to be part of a team dedicated to caring for animals every day.

Brandee, a true Orange County native, loves her life by the beach and wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else. And she has confirmed that theory: after marrying her British husband and living in the UK for over 6 years, Brandee returned to the area to care for her elderly grandparents. Her days are filled with pilates, yoga, indulging her green thumb with gardening, and exploring the worlds of make-up, beauty, and health & wellness. The newest addition to her family is Layla, a resilient pitbull they adopted from a shelter, who has brought immense joy into their lives after the loss of their beloved staffy, Benson. Her go-to karaoke song is any hit by Britney Spears, adding a fun vibe to her diverse and heartfelt lifestyle. Brandee enjoys beach days with her husband and Layla, vegan cuisine, and connecting deeply with APCC clients, ensuring both they and their pets receive top-notch care.

Ashley became a member of our APCC family in the fall of 2020 and we couldn’t be happier about that. Ashley may literally be one of the nicest human beings you ever meet! In her spare time, Ashley likes to read and bake, go to the zoo or an aquarium and she would love to do a lot more traveling. Always raised around animals, her pets have included: dogs, cats, ferrets, bunnies, tortoises, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs and birds. Two of her all-time favorite bands are The Police and Queen. If she could have dinner with any famous person, she would have a tough time deciding between Freddie Mercury and Robin Williams. Ashley loves martial arts and has a black belt in Hapkido. Ashley says she is incredibly grateful for APCC and her time here; she always wanted to be a veterinarian, since she was little. She loves how much she is getting to learn and feels that this is her home away from home, with how much she has come to love everyone that she works with and your adorable furry babies!

Caelin hopped aboard the APCC team as a kennel attendant in the summer of 2022 before joining our reception team in 2024, bringing a zest for nature and a love for animals. Even though having been born and raised in SoCal – she dreams of living in the gloomy forests of the Pacific Northwest to live out her very own “Twilight” saga. In her free time, Caelin likes to listen to music, play videogames, go hiking, and spend time with her two cats — Sloane and Ferris — and her three-legged chihuahua mix: Oliver! Her favorite TV shows: “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Good Place” suggest a love of both drama and philosophy. Caelin aspires to become an RVT, and to potentially even specialize in nutrition down the line!

Nikki was born in England. She now lives in Mission Viejo with her husband John, daughter Charlotte, her dogs Lola and Tweetie. She loves to cook, read and spend time with her family. A definite Brit her fav foods are English cheese, English sausage and Yorkshire Pudding. In fact, she loves cheese so much she wants to raise goats and make her own. When she grows up she wants to be a micro-biologist or a physicist – she is a total science nerd and is well on her way. Claim to Fame: being one of three lefties at APCC (however she would like to clarify, she was the first).

Hunter has been with APCC since 2009; she moved from reception to treatment in August of 2013 and eventually went to school and received her license as a Registered Veterinary Technician in the summer of 2016. In her free time, she enjoys going to Target and shopping while drinking Starbucks (we’re not sure if she is looking for a kickback for brand placement here?). You will be hard-pressed to find a bigger Angels fan and although she deeply loves Mike Trout, she married the true love of her life, Ryan, in the summer of 2019. Their home is full of love with daughter Ellie and cats Lyla and Peter. A big fan of Queen, her go-to song at karaoke night is Bohemian Rhapsody. Hunter has a radiant smile and personality that can easily change anyone’s gloomy day completely around. We are so proud of where she has gone within the walls of our hospital and know that you will have a great experience at each encounter with her.

Samantha has been a cornerstone of the staff at APCC since joining us in August of 2005. Born in San Clemente and now living in Dana Point – she embodies “So Cal Living” – loving the ocean and snowboarding equally. Her family consists of her husband, Darin and their two young boys: Duke and Connor. Their pit mix “Zack” keeps the family on their toes and helps keep Samantha very busy and active. Growing up, she had dreams of being a Zoologist – always knowing she would work with animals. Samantha is the queen of the dance floor and usually breaks out a few solid dance moves when she gets any time during her work day. In the spring of 2019, she became one of two leads of the technician team, along with Kati. It’s been quite a treat to see how her life has changed and grown during her time here at APCC and we know there is still plenty more in the years ahead! 

Kati has had a fascinating path here at APCC. She started in 2010 as a kennel attendant, before eventually becoming the kennel manager. Shortly after she worked her way into the treatment room, working as a veterinary assistant, she was plucked out to work as the director of operations for The Pet Rescue Center. In March of 2017, we welcomed Kati back as a veterinary technician. In 2019, she became one of our Treatment Team Leads an in 2020 she passed all of her exams and became an RVT. When she isn’t spending time inside the hospital, Kati loves spending time with family, friends her boyfriend and her beloved dog “Pygmy”. You’ll be hard-pressed to see Kati anywhere without Pygmy by her side! Kati has been an important part of Alicia Pet Care Center’s success over the years, and we expect nothing less for many years to come!

Kaitlin joined our treatment staff here at APCC in the fall of 2015. She came to us with a longstanding history in the field and a good deal of experience. Kaitlin comes from a very large Irish family, and has an adorable daughter of her own. If she could live anywhere at all, she would choose either Boston or Sussex, England. Outside of work, some of her favorite hobbies are either photography or “netflix & chill”. Her favorite bands are The Beatles and Depeche Mode and if she could have dinner with any famous person, alive or dead, it would be a toss-up between John Lennon and Queen Elizabeth II. Kaitlin’s favorite tv show as a kid was Double Dare and her first remembered celeb crush is Leonardo Dicaprio. She has a great deal of enthusiasm for working with her now very close friends and has said that working at APCC is her “dream hospital come true.”

Cristie came to APCC in January of 2017. She is a Southern California native who would love to live anywhere that experiences the four seasons. So, we are hopeful she can continue to deal with the two (if we’re lucky) seasons we experience in this area. In her spare time, she loves to bake, drink wine with her best friends and play tennis. Cristie married her longtime love, Brian, in July of 2019. Her animal family includes a cockatiel, a guinea pig, a rabbit, a bearded dragon, a fish and 2 German short-haired pointer named “Maya” and “Beau”. A couple of her favorite musical artists include Justin Timberlake and Rascal Flatts and one of her current all-time favorite TV shows is Army Wives. As a child, Cristie wanted to be a veterinarian, which led to her getting into the veterinary field. She attended Cal Poly Pomona and received her Bachelors degree in Animal Health Science and became a Registered Veterinary Technologist. She loves the other people she works with here, the overall atmosphere and all the love that is demonstrated toward all of the patients.

Nicola joined APCC in April of 2016 and immediately wow’ed us with her work ethic and professionalism that was beyond her years. She worked hard to balance everything in her life and successfully became an RVT in 2020. She is another of our Southern California natives who would love to live someday in the mountains. Nicola has been bitten by the wanderlust bug in a major way, traveling to such places as Guatemala, Belize, Germany, and Italy in the past couple of years now. She has really started to build a furry family: her sweetheart of a pitbull “Rivi,” former PRC cat “Dierks Bentley,” an Aussie “Shasta” and two bunny rabbits. Nicola is a huge country music fan, her favorite artist currently is Dierks Bentley (not to be confused with her cat). As a youngster, Nicola wanted to be either a Sea World trainer or a veterinarian, which eventually morphed into a desire to be a veterinary technician. So, basically, this is one young woman who is intent on making her dreams come true… and we are so proud of what she is doing and happy to be a part of it. Nicola loves working at APCC and says her favorite part is “working with my friends and family.”

Sienna joined our staff in the summer of 2020. She graduated from veterinary specialty school. A Southern California native, she loves spending time at the beach and playing or watching soccer. Sienna has one younger sister and has known her boyfriend her entire life. Her favorite TV show is Big Brother and her favorite band is Florida Georgia Line. If she could be any animal, Sienna would want to be a dog. As a child, Sienna always wanted to be a veterinarian. It’s truly special having so many staff members here who are living out their lifelong dream in that way. Sienna said that working here at APCC is so special because of the amazing people and the great work environment that we all work so hard to maintain.

Alyssa has been on staff with us since 2018! Born and raised in Southern California, she would choose to move to the Netherlands to join some of her family members if she was able to. Her favorite things to do outside of work include: going to the beach, running the beach trails with her pups, going surfing and hanging out, dining with her family and friends. Alyssa’s furry family members are a Maltipoo named “Lacey” and a Terrier mix named “Squidge”. if she could have one superpower, she would choose to manipulate time ala “Doctor Strange”. Which makes a lot of sense, since she has a self-declared obsession with the Marvel movie franchise. If she could have dinner with anyone, she would choose actress and icon, Meryl Streep. It isn’t too much of a surprise that Alyssa has always wanted to be a veterinarian; her love of animals is immediately recognizable. We are sure you’ll share our excitement in having Alyssa as part of the team here!

Kasi did not take a typical employment path into the hospital by any means. You may have actually seen her here long before we hired her, however. She did a lot of work with The Pet Rescue Center as a volunteer. We knew that a person with her passion for helping animals would be a huge asset to the hospital. Kasi comes from a very large and close family just up the freeway in the Los Angeles area. Being from LA probably has a lot to do with her superpower wish: “teleportation — so I’ll never have to sit in traffic”. Her favorite movie is ‘The Neverending Story’ and most of her music love is steeped in some older tunes: The Smiths, Chrissie Hynde and Coheed & Cambria. Kasi loves spending time with her friends and her dog, Lulu when she is not at work. When she was young, she wanted to be a nun. We may not be helping her reach that goal, but we have provided her with a great workplace that she loves coming to and “working with some of the most intelligent, interesting and amazing friends” she has.

Lesley was born in Orange, California, and has not strayed far from her birthplace. Even when asked where her dreamplace to live would be, she says she loves living in California so much, why leave? Lesley comes from a small family, and her Mother’s side of the family still resides in Buenos Aires. She loves all kinds of music, loves to dance and fits right in with quite a few of our staff with her love of the HBO show Game of Thrones. Since the time when she was a little girl, pretending to doctor her stuffed animals, Lesley has always wanted to work with animals and has a goal of becoming a registered veterinary technician someday. Lesley said she loves coming into work every day knowing that she is amongst so many others who are as passionate as she is about animals.

Hailey is now our 3rd employee that has come to us by way of an internship during schooling. After a really successful internship, she went through all of the hiring process and got welcomed back as an official member of the team.

Liza is another success story of joining APCC as a kennel attendant, got promoted to the reception team where she thrived for years. She is now proud to be a part of the Technician team here. A Southern California native, if she had the chance to live anywhere in the world she would want to be in the countryside. Liza loves spending time hanging out with her family and friends, camping and being in the great outdoors. One of her biggest pet peeves is bad drivers; that may have something to do with why she would prefer to be out in the countryside to here in the OC. He first celebrity crush was Ryan Reynolds and her favorite TV show is The Office. If she could have dinner with any one famous person, she would want to sit and dine with Amy Poehler. Clearly, Liza loves to laugh…and that contagious, cheerful spirit is a great character trait which serves her well while taking care of your beloved pet!

Alisha is a California native who would love to live anywhere in Europe and travel (she loves the different cultures). One of her biggest pet peeves: people who make plans and bail out last minute (you’ve been warned, people). A big fan of the women’s national soccer team, Alisha also loves to sing, journal, work out and read in her spare time. One of 5 kids in her family, Alisha is a strong believer in the love her family brings to her life and she also shares that love with her boyfriend and her 4-year-old German shepherd, “Kona”. Her go to karaoke song (and she really can sing!) is Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”. When she was little, Alisha wanted to be a veterinarian… she ended up with a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies with a concentration in Human Development, yet here she is back in the veterinary field, after all. We’re thrilled her life path has brought her here and she has become an excellent part of the team in reception!

Samantha started with us in early 2024 and quickly became known for her deep love for animals and her eclectic hobbies. She’s a true OC original, having grown up in Orange County and just finished her studies at UC Davis last year. Now back in OC, she spends her time nurturing her houseplants, jamming to tunes from Mac Miller to Queen, and diving into films like “Interstellar.” Her two brown tabby cats, Jasper and Finn, are absolutely the center of her universe.  From her love of pop punk and emo tunes to her early dreams of exploring marine biology, Samantha’s story is all about her deep connections with both the natural world and her own passions.

Saira was born in the Northern California area and loves living in So Cal. She is a huge fan of the outdoors and loves to go on walks or hikes. Her dog loves that activity too; she has a red-nose pitbull, Kane. If Saira isn’t outdoors getting exercise, she may very well be indoors at the gym or working on her kickboxing skills (Muay Thai). Perpetuating the idea that you can’t judge a kickboxer from their cover, Saira loves the movie Sixteen Candles and one of her favorite bands is Mumford & Sons. She loves everything about working at APCC, especially interacting with the animals and how every day is different. When she was little, Saira wanted to be a veterinarian. Perhaps her own daughter will want to follow in those footseps, too!  We are proud to be involved in getting Saira firmly onto the path of her childhood dream!

Sydney joined APCC in the fall of 2018 and has been an excellent addition to the team from day one. When she was a young girl, Sydney’s favorite TV show was The Powerpuff Girls and she had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. When she isn’t spending time at work loving on your pets, she enjoys rock climbing, reading, exercising, watching movies or TV and just hanging out with the people who mean the most to her. If she was an animal, she would be a cat since they can sleep anywhere and everywhere. Sydney has a cat named “Chantico” who she declares is a brat but that you can’t help yourself from loving her to pieces, all the same. Sydney loves being a part of our family here and enjoys being able to take care of loving animals who just want a warm home to live in.

Jazmynn joined the kennel team in winter, 2020. We had other employees here with the same or similar names and she started going by “J” here and it has stuck. Jazmynn loves her cat “Hazel” deeply. Known for having maybe more than 20 different types of laughs, if she could live anywhere in the world, she would want to live in Hawaii or Washington. Her favorite thing to do outside of work is going on adventures with friends. Jazmynn fancies herself either a tiger or a dolphin if she were an animal. Given the chance to have dinner with any famous person, Heath Ledger is at the top of her list. Jazmynn has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was little. We are excited that her lifelong desire brought her to APCC!

Alexis joined our kennel team in the spring of 2022, bringing a sunny vibe straight from North Orange County. A beach lover at heart, she dreams of living somewhere with clear waters and cool tide pools, a perfect spot for her seashell collection. When she’s not crafting creative masterpieces, Alexis loves spending quality time with her family, enjoying mini vacations or just hanging out at their home, which she fondly describes as a zoo. Their family home is indeed a bustling menagerie, complete with a cat, dog, birds, a variety of fish, frogs, reptiles, and a huge tortoise ruling the backyard. Alexis relishes hiking in her free time. She grew up watching ‘The Wild Thornberrys,’ inspired by the main character’s ability to speak to animals, a fitting favorite considering her lifelong passion for working in the animal field. Her favorite band is Linkin Park, while ‘The Office’ offers a dose of humor and relaxation. Alexis roots for local teams: Angels and the Ducks, showcasing her loyalty and team spirit. Alexis’s journey to APCC seems like destiny, as she always knew she wanted a career with animals, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of our dedicated team!

Kendra joined our kennel team in Winter 2022. Born in Guatemala, her dream destination would be Vienna, Austria. Kendra is a multifaceted individual, with hobbies that span from reading and writing to landscape photography and drawing, showcasing her artistic flair and love for the visual arts. Outside of work, Kendra’s cherishes hiking to catch the sunrise, exploring the beach in search of crabs, and discovering hidden coffee shops. Kendra’s love for storytelling is seen in her choice of entertainment, from the classic “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to “Criminal Minds” and the animated joy of “Meet the Robinsons.” Kendra also reveals a hidden talent in playing tennis, adding a sporty edge to her artistic personality. Her fun facts are as unique as her personality; Kendra gets hiccups when she’s cold, a quirky trait that adds to her charm. As someone who once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, Kendra’s current role at APCC aligns closely with her lifelong passion for animals, making her a valued and beloved member of our team.

Maty, who can go by either Mike Wazowski and Mike Tyson, joined the APCC family as a kennel attendant in the summer of 2023. With dreams of living in Germany or Italy, she embodies a love for diverse cultures and beautiful landscapes. If she could choose, super strength and the ability to fly would be her go-to superhero powers, fitting for someone who’s all about action and adventure. Maty thrives on staying active, whether it’s hitting the slopes for snowboarding, taking a swim, or just chilling at the beach. She’s a proud pet parent with her girlfriend to a cat named Binx and two guinea pigs, Leo & Louie, who no doubt keep her busy and entertained. Her childhood was filled with laughter from ‘Spongebob Squarepants,’ and now she unwinds with episodes of ‘Friends’ or gets hooked on Marvel movies. When it comes to music, The Neighborhood sets the tone for her, but don’t be surprised if you catch her singing “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift at karaoke. Maty’s hidden talents include playing the piano and the trumpet. As a kid, she dreamt of being an air force pilot or a veterinarian, blending her love for adventure with a passion for animals. And here’s a fun fact: Maty gets hiccups every time she eats hot sauce, making every spicy meal an amusing adventure!

Ally joined our APCC team as a kennel attendant in fall 2023, with a strong passion for animal care and a hidden talent for acting. Her biggest pet peeve is people who get annoyed by animals easily, highlighting her deep empathy and understanding for our four-legged companions. When she’s not working, Ally loves spending time with Chanel, her 3-year-old mini schnoodle, at the park, or having cozy movie nights with her boyfriend. Her dream dinner guest would be the legendary Steve Irwin, reflecting her admiration for wildlife and conservation. Ally enjoys the melodies of Kali Uchis and relaxes with her favorite movie, ’50 First Dates.’ At karaoke, she shines with “Today” by Smashing Pumpkins. Growing up, Ally aspired to be a veterinarian, a zoologist, or an actor, showcasing her diverse interests and love for both animals and the arts. Now, she’s a valuable part of our team, bringing her unique blend of skills and passions to APCC.