Our Care team

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Arroyo Veterinary Clinic in San Lorenzo! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 510-278-8440 to speak to one of our caring veterinary team members!

Dr. Pavneet Mavi
Veterinarian

Education:
BVSc & AH – Punjab Agricultural University
ECFVG – Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine

 Growing up in an agricultural area of India, I worked with all sorts of farm animals from a young age.  I attended veterinary school and began working as a veterinarian for large animals and companion pets in nutrition and development.  Knowing I could do even more, I moved to Indiana where I returned to veterinary school at Purdue.  I learned so much working at a combination emergency/specialty/general practice in Indiana, there is where I developed my special interests in dermatology, dentistry, pain management, joint diseases and regenerative medicine.  I still felt a drive to do more, that drive brought me to Arroyo!  The small town, warm, and welcoming community on the beautiful San Francisco Bay stole my heart!  I purchased the practice in 2011 and since then have been proud to serve the pets and pet owners of San Lorenzo!

My goal walking into each visit is to understand both the pet’s and owner’s needs.  I am your pet’s advocate, I am here to help you understand your pet’s needs even when they cannot express those needs themselves.  Identifying your concerns and collaborating with you is how I am able to provide your pet with the best possible care!

Outside of the clinic I love to spend my time with my family.  My amazing, supportive wife, two sons and UV (the Boston Terrier)!  UV in particular is very spoiled, his name in our native Indian language means “the Prince”!  We live active lives, playing sports, dancing, keeping up on the latest films from Bollywood, and lots of walks to burn the endless terrier energy in UV!  I enjoy participating in marathons as well!  Having achieved my goal of completing a full marathon, my next goal is to continue running in half marathons to raise money to support various causes and charities!  I love all sorts of new gadgets and technology including my kid’s toys! 

I am grateful to my family, team, and the community for supporting me and trusting me with the care of their best friends and promise to always practice good, honest, quality medicine in the pursuit of keeping your best friend happy and healthy!

Dr. Barbara VanGilder
Associate Veterinarian

Education:
B.S. Zoology – The Ohio State University
DVM – UC Davis

Certifications:
Low Stress Handling Certified Silver
Animal Neuromyofascial Release
AAHA Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

Practice Philosophy:

As a chronic disease patient, myself, I have spent significant time as a patient as well as a doctor. I make it a point to bring my experience as a patient – learning from the negative and embracing the positive – to the care I provide for my own patients. It is important to me that not only are my patients’ medical and physical needs met, but that they are treated with respect and dignity and that they have agency in their own care. I want tails wagging coming in AND going out!  I have a particular interest in working with patients who have fear and anxiety, to find a way to meet their needs on their terms and alleviate their fear as much as possible. It is also crucial to me that clients feel that they are listened to and that their concerns are addressed.

I have particular interests in pain management, eldercare, dentistry, soft tissue surgery and exotics medicine including care of reptiles, rabbits and other small mammals.

Family:
Husband Jon
Cats – Grace and Steven
Tortoise – Po

Dog – Jeff, our newest family addition.

Our animals are a part of our family in every sense. We love that we can provide them with the loving and comfortable homes they deserve and in return they bring us joy, comfort and comedy whenever we need it.

When not working, I enjoy printmaking, sewing, yoga and stand up paddleboarding.

Dr. Steve Kornfeld
Associate Veterinarian

Since 2017, Dr. Kornfeld has been providing advanced dental services at Arroyo Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Kornfeld completed a 6-year alternate path residency in veterinary dentistry. He operated a mobile dental clinic for ten years, offering advanced dental services to numerous clinics around the Bay area.  His advanced dental care includes, but is not limited to, bone augmentation, crowns and root canals, which makes it possible to save more teeth than ever before!

Dr. Kornfeld also has a degree in professional and business coaching.

He is the author of four veterinary business books, focusing on personal development for veterinary teams and on providing outstanding veterinary care to pet owners.

Dr. Sara Andre
Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Andre attended college at UC Berkeley, where she majored in Molecular Environmental Biology with an emphasis in Animal Health and Behavior.  While at Berkeley, she researched and later published a scientific paper investigating fungal infections in the endangered native mountain yellow-legged frog. Dr. Andre then went on to get her veterinary degree at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating at the top of her class!

After veterinary school, Dr. Andre completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship. She has worked at several Bay Area practices, before starting at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital in 2022. While most of her patients are dogs and cats, she is happy to treat other small mammals, reptiles, and birds, and especially enjoys the opportunity to form long-term relationships with her patients and their families. She is proud to be fear free certified and has an interest in sonography and internal medicine.

When not at work, Dr. Andre spends time relaxing with her family, reading science fiction, gardening, exploring new places, and playing with her fluffy cat, Emily. She is very happy to be joining the Arroyo Family!

Dr. Kat Miller, BVMS
Associate Veterinarian

Every little girl wants to be a veterinarian at some point in her life- I just never grew out of it. I grew up on an avocado orchard in Southern California, and attended university at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for Animal Science (with an English minor). After dipping my toes into the industry by working as a veterinary assistant in New York City, I picked up my husband and cat and moved across the ocean to Scotland to attend veterinary school at the University of Edinburgh. While in school, I held a committee position in the student AVMA chapter, and founded the Dick Vet Feline Medicine Society in 2022.

Returning to the West Coast after four years abroad, I was concerned about establishing myself back at home. I needn’t have worried- the Arroyo team has been incredibly supportive, and I am excited to grow and learn in my new role as a veterinarian within this community. I look forward to providing the best medicine possible to our clinic’s many wonderful clients and patients!
My special interests include feline medicine, low stress handling, and ophthalmology.
In my free time, I enjoy all manner of arts and crafts, reading, dancing, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and training tricks with my cat Archimedes (Archie).

Jessica,
Practice Manager, Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

I have always had pets in my family and felt a close connection with animals!  I enjoy the challenge of trying to understand their wants and needs.  Having been in the veterinary field since 2014, I’ve found the joy of giving a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves!  I thrive while acting as the liaison between our clients and their pets!  Being able to remedy a client’s concern and a patient’s medical condition simultaneously is very rewarding.

Being the Practice Manager means I have the opportunity to support my whole team in their common goal of providing the best possible care for you and your pet.  Some of the ways I like to support the team is by ensuring our laboratory diagnostics and equipment are running optimally, keeping team members up to date on the latest medical information, and supporting team members as they tackle new challenges to grow themselves as veterinary professionals and community members!

As a Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of California, I have a long list of technical skills that help me provide the best possible medical care for your pets while treating them as if they were my own!  I have two dogs (Little Dog and Bandit) as well as 4 cats (Mr. Fischoeder, Louise, Moo and Felix)!  They range in age from 1 year to 16 years giving me hands-on experience with all life stages, making it second nature for me to customize my care to each patient from puppies and kittens to seniors.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my pets, friends and family.  I love to escape into books and video games as well as take in musicals in the City!

I am happy to be a part of the Arroyo Vet Family and to have the opportunity to help you and your pet live a longer, healthier life together!

Tina
Customer Service Specialist Supervisor

I joined the Arroyo Veterinary Team in June of 2016 and I am so glad I did! 

After raising two amazing young men with my husband and sending them off to college, I was looking for my next adventure!  I had recently lost my beloved dog, Chulo, to congestive heart failure (CHF) at 9 years old.  Though we miss him dearly, battling his disease was such an eye opening and educational experience.  Armed with little information from the emergency center where he was diagnosed, I set off to learn everything I could to keep him comfortable and happy as long as possible.  Though we only had a few more months with him, and my experiences with several cats and one spunky iguana, lit a spark in me that fueled my curiosity about veterinary medicine! 

I love my job!  Our team is just the best, most compassionate people I could have hoped to work with!  Being able to connect with other pet owners and help them using the things I have learned from my own pets, and during my time with the Arroyo Family, is such a rewarding experience!  Each day is different, with new challenges and new pets to help! 

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, two and four-legs alike!  My husband and I have 3 dogs, Leia, Pita, and our newest addition Rosi!  They keep every day interesting and there is no shortage of trouble at our home! 

Eren
Client Service Representative

I am a Bay Area native from Oakland. Growing up, I always had a passion for animals, big and small. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my senior fur baby, Chowder, and traveling. I’m looking forward to meeting you and your fur babies soon!

Nicole
Client Service Representative

I’ve been with Arroyo Vet since November, 2023, and my experience here has been both enriching and educational. I’m excited to continue growing with the team and to build lasting friendships along the way.

Growing up, my family consistently had pets, and I’ve always felt a special connection to animals, especially wildlife. Over the years, we’ve had the joy of caring for horses, goats, and chickens, but at home, we’ve always had dogs of all sizes.

Currently, I’m the “helicopter mom” to my fur baby, Jewelz, who loves visiting our family ranch to spend time with our gentle giant, Piropo, a crazy (yet loving) Warlander. Watching them play and run together as siblings, free and joyful, is one of my greatest pleasures. I’m thankful to be able to watch them grow and experience life together alongside them both.

Outside of work, I find comfort in spending time with my family, trying out new recipes, and indulging in my love of reading. My time at Arroyo Vet has truly been life-changing, and I’m proud to be part of a team that strives to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients and their pets.

Aylin
Technical Supervisor

I joined the Arroyo Family unofficially when I interned here through my ROP class in my junior year at San Leandro High School!  The next year I stuck with veterinary medicine and interned at a veterinary clinic in Castro Valley where they employed me for a while after graduation.  I missed my Arroyo Family too much!  We still brought our dog, Fluffy, to Dr. Mavi as he has been a long-time patient, I just had to come back!  I love our team and our patients!  Some of my favorite parts of working here are socializing puppies and kittens, working with exotic animals, and helping to nurse sick pets back to health!  Ultimately, I would like to attend veterinary technician or veterinary school!  Every pet I get to work with reinforces my passion for veterinary medicine!

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and enjoying the outdoors.  I live with my mom, dad, two sisters, and older brother.  We also have two dogs, Fluffy and Chica, and a 17-year-old Amazon Parrot named Wilbur! 

Alexis
Technical Supervisor

I first joined the Arroyo family through an externship I applied for. Working here has expanded my love for animals and helped me find my passion for this profession. I will ultimately like to attend veterinary school to pursue my career! Being a veterinary assistant has been such a blessing because I am able to help all these animals who can’t speak for themselves. Every day is a new day and I’m constantly on my toes, which keeps things very exciting! Animals were introduced late in my life, but it was better late than never!

I have a Pitbull named Cooper and two bunnies named Buttercup and Sky. Outside of work, I love hanging out with friends, staying busy and having fun. I am so thankful to have found Arroyo Veterinary Clinic and am able to work with such caring, compassionate animal lovers!

Hayley
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Though Arroyo was not my first experience with veterinary medicine, it has certainly been my favorite!  I was always the person to bring home ill or injured animals, absorb anything and everything I could about them to help heal and improve their quality of life. Throughout my time at Cal Poly, where I earned my B.S. in Animal Science, I volunteered and interned with various veterinarians and shelters learning to work with all sorts of animals!  One of my fondest memories was assisting in the birth of 15 foals!  It was such an amazing and humbling experience; I knew I had to keep working hard to do more!

After graduation, I returned to my home town and applied for a position at Arroyo Veterinary Clinic.  I love this team!  The clients we get to help on a daily basis are so wonderful and passionate about their furry family members, it is such an honor to be trusted with their care!

Besides the obvious perks of working with puppies and kittens, I have always been interested in emergency medicine.  Last year I started working at Oak Vet Animal Specialty to help further my career. I love the challenge and the satisfaction that comes with saving an animal in need.  I am so proud to be able to comfort a pet parent and help their pet at the same time!

Outside of the clinic, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and staying active! I have an athletic German Shepherd Labrador Mix, Bandit, and a goofy Golden Retriever named Charlie!  Together we love to hike, learn tricks based on Harry Potter spells, and explore the great outdoors!

Jessica
Veterinary Assistant

I’ve been with Arroyo Veterinary Clinic officially since my junior year of high school, but my family and I have been coming here since before I was able to see over the counter. In my few years working here, Arroyo has given me the opportunity to learn and grow while doing something I love. I’ve always been passionate about helping animals, but since working here, it has solidified my choice to work in the veterinary profession. I’m currently in school studying to become an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) and thanks to my co-workers turned family, I have all the support I need to make my goal a reality. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to do what I love.

Outside of work I enjoy going out with my family and catering to all my fur baby’s needs, which includes our 90lb dog Oliver who still believes he is a 20lb puppy and my three kitties Milo, Lola and Kiko.

Bernadette
Veterinary Assistant

Joining the Arroyo Veterinary family has introduced me to a world filled with new opportunities, lessons, and adorable fur babies. Although I just started my journey in the veterinary profession in December 2021, I am so grateful to work alongside amazing mentors that help me work towards my goals in this field of work. I am currently enrolled in a veterinary technician program at Carrington College in hopes of becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

 Growing up in a big family ensured that there was at least one family pet to help keep my siblings and I both occupied and out of trouble. Ever since I was a young girl, I had always felt like I had a deeper connection with the dogs in my family compared to the rest of my family members. Noticing my newfound interest of trying to help and understand the dogs that we had over the course of my childhood, my family introduced me to the idea of becoming a nurse, but for animals.

Catherine
Veterinary Assistant

I am a first generation Latina college student in my last year of undergrad ! One step closer to my dreams of becoming a Veterinarian, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation. I joined Arroyo Veterinary Clinic in 2022 right after my summer job at Baskin Robbins which was a big step into my career. Working at Arroyo has not only expanded my love and interest for the field in helping with patient and client care, but has helped me understand why this field is so rewarding.

As a pre-veterinary student loving this field, I have spent my time expanding my interest and helping where I can. Throughout all the different volunteering opportunities I was able to do, my most memorable one that I will always share is when I did an internship at the Oakland Zoo with Giraffes. It was absolutely amazing to see first hand the care the animal keepers, volunteers, and veterinary team give and be able to contribute to that care myself.

Outside the clinic for fun I like to make bracelets, hang out with friends, and also make chocolate covered strawberries which is a small business I have! At home I am fortunate to have 3 doggies. I have 2 English bulldogs, Luna who is always ready to play and give hugs, Nala who loves to sleep and get belly scratches, and the doggy in the picture with me is Max who is my bestfriend for life and is always ready for any adventure by my side!

Andrea
Veterinary Assistant

I am currently a college student hoping to one day study to become a veterinarian. I’ve always grown up with animals, such as dogs/cats, so to be able to work around them and for them is like a dream come true! I especially knew it was something I wanted to do after volunteering at a mobile clinic for a few days. I look forward to meeting different cute pets and fellow animal lovers!

Currently, I am lucky enough to be living with two cats, Cosmos and Pluto and Chips who is a bully breed whom we’ve had for a year. Together they make our home lively and we enjoy spending our days with them.

Tatiana
Jr. Veterinary Assistant

I have been part of the Arroyo Veterinary Clinic team Since August 2023, and absolutely love it! I first applied for the experience and grew to love the staff and patients. The team is amazing and incredibly caring. Working at Arroyo Veterinary Clinic has only increased my love I have for them. Also, the exciting energy our patients bring into the hospital to meet our staff is contagious.
I am currently a Senior at Arroyo High School. I’m hoping to learn new things and make new friends, as well as gain the necessary knowledge to work in the veterinary field once I graduate! I have such a passion for animals and have always been around them.
I have two pit bulls at home, Leon and Tigre. They became part of our family when they were 4 months old! The boys became part of my daily routine and have a huge impact on everyone they meet! The Arroyo family continues to show me new ways to make sure our fur babies are comfortable and live a healthy, happy life!