(310) 530-5511
At Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital, we have a feeling for animals. We treat your pets as our own. Our skilled veterinarians are ready and waiting to help your pet, whether they are in need of complex surgery or just a routine examination. Old or young, reptilian or mammalian, your pet is guaranteed high-quality service and care.
We pride ourselves on the fact that we staff not one but four veterinarians at our hospital as well as many skilled and compassionate staff members. Click below to meet our staff and learn a little more about the group of caring people who work at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital.
Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital’s highly educated and experienced veterinarians and staff can provide your pet with a variety of medical, surgical, well care and grooming services. Click below to learn more about the services we can provide for you and your pets.
At Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital, we will treat your pet with the highest degree of care and compassion while providing the best animal health and wellness care around. If your pet is in need of any of our hospital services, please contact us today.
Family: Married 34 years, five children – all boys: 6 grandkids. Huckleberry, Doberman; Terra, Shepard; Nepheli, poodle; 3 cats – Sasquatch, Charlotte, Itzy. Our family is smaller now – when the boys were young we collected 118 birds, monitored 5 fish tanks-fresh and salt, multiple dogs, chickens, ducks, a goose, rabbits, a snake, and a chinchilla.
Profession: Dr. of Veterinary Medicine—a graduate of Colorado State University, completed pre-med at University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Genetic.
Projects: Actively engaged in church responsibilities
Hobbies: Art is the first priority – drawing & painting with all media—on paper, canvas and board; photography, computers, gardening-roses & vegetables, collecting—art, stamps, books, and ‘quarters—to fill the pockets of my grandson Caston when he visits my desk.
Dislikes: Automobiles and too much sleep
Favorite foods: Seafood, Japanese, Chinese and Mexican, but a thick rare beef steak is very nice every now and then.
Favorite desserts: Raspberry trifle & chocolate mousse.
Favorite TV shows: Seinfeld & X-Files
Favorite Movies: Ben Hur & Star Wars
Favorite composers: Bach & Mozart
Favorite music: Jazz
Favorite pastime: Attending a constant flow of continuing medical education and art classes.
Favorite authors: James Joyce, Charles Dickens, and Orson Scott Card
Favorite parties: Family Reunions
Favorite pets: Dogs & Cats tie for first place, next come chickens but they don’t make good house pets.
Words to Live By: To Know, To Do, To Have, To Become, TO BE
View of Life: ‘The more things change, the more they stay the same’ (Old French Proverb)
Birthplace: Salina, Utah
Current Residence: Redondo Beach
Birthday: 11, Oct 1900's
Dr. Dastrup & Nino
Dr. Guerra & Cooper
Dr. Hoag & Ripley
Cooper & Dr. Benton
Married: Two Children
Hobbies: Gardening, restoring our 1911 house, keeping up with the kids. Irish Step Dance classes to keep up with my daughter.
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Favorite Movie: Home movies of my kids of course- my son and husband are videophiles.
Favorite book: When Bad things Happen to Good People Harold Telushkin. Addicted to Lee Childs, Tom Clancy and JK Rowlings.
Future Wish: When the kids are gone, would like to have a horse again and get back to backpacking and travel.
Philosophy: I feel blessed that after 25 years in practice, I love what I do everyday. Sure, I enjoy my time off, but I enjoy my profession, my job, the clients and their animals. The field is changing and it keeps my mind active keeping up with the new drugs and techniques.
Education: B. S. University of New Mexico, 1976. DVM Colorado State University, Ft. Collins CO.
Volunteer: Veterinary Disaster Team AreaG- 15 years. Teaching science kindergarten and first grades Holy Trinity school (on my day off) 11 years.
Work Experience: USDA Forest Service 1973-1976. Colorado State University Stallion Lab-Weekend feeder and stall cleaner. Coast Pet Clinic hermosa Beach 1981-1982. Del Amo Animal Hospital 1982-1999. Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital 1999-Present.
Professional: So Cal Vet Med Assn-Council Chairperson 1988. So Cal Vet Med Assn-President 1993.
Dr. Guerra has been practicing veterinary medicine here in the South Bay for 36 years. He was born in McAlester, OK and his hometown is Wilburton, Oklahoma. He is a 1973 graduate of Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Guerra came to the South Bay upon graduating and has been a Californian ever since, living for the last 30 years in Hermosa Beach. Dr. Guerra has a backyard collection of orchids and sometimes brings blooming plants to display at the clinic.
Family: Married to husband, Brian with two beautiful identical twin boys, Matthew and Nicholas. Her dog, “Petey”, is a Dalmation mix who was thrown over the fence of thier house when she was a puppy. The newest addition to her family is "Ripley", an Australian Shepherd puppy who is training for both agility and obedience work.
Hometown: Torrance, California.
Favorite Movies: Gone with the Wind & Gladiator
Favorite TV shows: LOST, Survivor, Amazing Race, Project Runway, Heroes
Favorite Books: Left Behind & Where the Red Fern Grows
Favorite Quote: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” – John Lennon
Education: Graduated from Torrance High School in 1993, El Camino College in 1997 with an A.S. in General Sciences, Cal Poly Pomona in 2000 with a B.S. in Animal Science and a minor in Physiology, and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005.
Hobbies/Loves: Movies, cross-stitching & scrap-booking, horses, Australian Shepherds, biking, dirt bike riding.
Vaccinations and Preventative Care
Prevention and wellness care are so important to help avoid future problems and catch any looming problems early in the process to give us the best chance of treating it before it becomes a crisis. Vaccinations are an important part of any wellness program. Many vaccinations are available for both cats and dogs and there is not one schedule which is appropriate for all pets. One of our staff members will work with you to tailor a vaccination schedule that is most appropriate for your pet based on his or her individual risk factors. Wellness care is tailored to each pet based on their age and individual risk factors and recommendations are made by our veterinarians during your pet’s annual examination. Talk to one of our veterinarians about which wellness tests are recommended for your individual pet to help him maintain a long and healthy life.
When your pet becomes ill, it is particularly alarming because she cannot talk to you to tell you what is wrong or how she is feeling. Our experienced and caring veterinarians can help diagnose your pet’s illness and work with you to develop an appropriate treatment plan to get your beloved family member back to health again. In addition, the hospital is well equipped to provide your pet with superior medical care during their stay.
The hospital is equipped with an in house radiology machine to provide excellent quality and immediate diagnostic images. All of our radiographs are examined by the veterinarian on staff as well as a board certified veterinary radiologist, Dr. Ann Reed. In addition, Dr. Reed provides cardiac, abdominal and soft tissue ultrasound services at our clinic upon request, to help provide a quick and accurate diagnosis for your pets.
Our hospital is outfitted with an in-house chemistry analyzer to provide urgent care and pre-operative patients with immediate blood-test results. Our laboratory microscope has video capability allowing us to show our clients the detailed microscopic results thus helping you better understand your pet’s medical condition. Our laboratory can also perform urinalyses, fecal examinations, cytology, viral blood testing and fungal cultures.
We have a dedicated sterile surgical suite for performing a variety of surgeries including routine spay and neuter, abscess and wound repair, tumor removals, intestinal surgery, abdominal exploratory for examination of abdominal masses and intestinal biopsies, bladder surgery for removal of stones or tumors on the bladder, total ear canal ablation, ophthalmic and eyelid surgery and many others. In addition, if your pet requires an advanced surgical technique not available at our hospital, we also provide referral services to a local board certified surgeon who can assist your pet. Surgery can be an intimidating experience for pet owners who are concerned about their pet’s welfare while anesthetized. We provide general anesthesia using the safest anesthetic techniques available and our technicians are continuously trained in the most advanced techniques to ensure that your pet is provided with the safest and best care possible. While your pet is anesthetized it will be monitored by a technician dedicated to the case, in addition multiple monitoring devices will be used to be certain your pet remains stable during the entire anesthetic period as well as the recovery period following surgery. Many surgeries are performed on an out-patient basis, meaning that your pet can be discharged the same day following surgery.
In addition to soft tissue surgery, many orthopedic surgeries are also available at our hospital including lateral suture repair of ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, repair of luxating patellas, femoral head ostectomy, fracture repair using external fixation as well as internal fixation using pins and bone plates, and limb amputation for removal of bone tumors and severely traumatized limbs. With all of our surgeries, we provide your pet with the most advanced and effective pain control tailored to suit the needs of the pet as well as the specific surgery performed. Pets feel pain just as we do and we always want to be certain they are as pain free as possible to help promote quicker healing and reduce stress and discomfort during the post-operative period.
Our surgical suite is equipped with a CO2 laser which is used as an alternative to the traditional scalpel blade. The surgical laser coagulates as it cuts making a virtually bloodless, and thus much safer surgery. In addition it cauterizes the nerves as it cuts providing a much less painful procedure and resulting in faster healing times. Many surgeries are only performed using the surgical laser because of the amount of bleeding that may be encountered or because of the increased pain level including nasal surgery, laryngeal surgery and declaw surgery for cats. The surgical laser is recommended for almost every surgery because of the increased safety and comfort to the patient.
Oral health is just as important in pets as it is in humans. It is vitally important that pets have their teeth cleaned regularly to remove the bacteria-laden plaque that accumulates on the teeth and leads to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Our trained technicians perform thorough dental cleanings including scaling, polishing, fluoride treatment and an oral sealant to help prevent plaque accumulation. In addition, dental radiographs are taken using a digital dental radiograph machine which is able to take detailed digital x-rays of the teeth to help evaluate for disease below the gumline. In addition to routine cleanings, our veterinarians can perform advanced periodontal treatments, fillings and extractions of diseased or fractured teeth.
Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery
Cats and dogs are not the only patients we see at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital. We also cater to reptiles and small mammals, such as ferrets, rabbits and rodents. We believe that no matter how small you are, you still deserve quality veterinary care. Our exotic animal services include internal medicine, anesthesia, surgery, spay and neuter (for rabbits), and routine wellness care.
Integrative and Alternative Medicine
When your pet becomes sick, you want to make sure that she receives the care she needs for a speedy recovery. Some diseases have complex origins and do not have a simple or straightforward treatment available in the traditional “Western” medicine, or the treatment is almost as bad as the illness itself. Particularly in cases where pets have chronic illnesses, options are needed which can help manage the disease without causing other problems due to chronic uses of pharmaceutical grade medications. At this hospital, we try to provide a balance between the traditional “Western” medicine and complimentary and alternative medicine to find the most effective combined treatments available from both worlds. Integrative medicine involves the use of any of the following healing modalities, many of which are synergistic, or work together. The holistic approach takes into account all aspects of your pet’s illness and balances the use of both traditional and alternative medicines.
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TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) – Involves the use of herbal medicine, acupressure and acupuncture
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VOM (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation) – A non-surgical approach to diagnosis and treatment of spinal and other orthopedic diseases.
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Contact Reflex Analysis and Kinesthiology
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Cold Laser Therapy – To assist with the management of pain from chronic joint diseases and relief of pain from orthopedic injuries or surgeries.
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NET (Neuro Emotional Technique) – Helps the patient let go of “stuck” emotional patterns.
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NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique) – To aid in the relief of allergic based diseases
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Homeopathy – Activates the body’s natural healing abilities
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Extensive Nutritional Analysis – Nutritional supplementation to assist in the treatment and management of specific illnesses.
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Alpha Stim Therapy – Delivers tiny electrical currents through the skin to help relieve pain, reduce anxiety and promote healing.
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Alpha-Sonic – A non-invasive method of using sound waves to promote healing, improve circulation, reduce inflammation and relax muscles.
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Shock Therapy – For assistance in the treatment of orthopedic joint diseases and arthritis.
Skin and ear problems are a very frequent complaint because it creates a constant itch, hair loss and odor that is easily visible and obvious problem for both the pet and the family. Many of these dermatological problems have an underlying cause that needs to be addressed or managed in order to clear up the resulting skin or ear disease. Our trained veterinarians can help you work through the options for diagnosing and treating these sometimes frustrating conditions. We also have a video otoscope for examining and magnifying deep into the ear canal to help ascertain the cause of ear infections. Deep ear flushes can be performed using this device and an accompanying irrigating device to penetrate deep into the ear canal to remove impacted debris.
Nutrition is a vital part of your pet’s overall health and wellness. In addition to recommending dietary therapy as part of the treatment plan for your pet’s specific illness, our veterinarians can also help make recommendation for wellness diets. Obesity is an epidemic in our pets just as it is in people and in fact, can contribute to or directly cause certain diseases in animals. Body systems affected by obesity include the heart, lungs, bones and joints, liver, kidneys, skin and endocrine system just to name a few. If your pet is overweight or obese, one of our veterinarians can discuss ways to help your pet lose weight by tailoring a specific weight loss diet and exercise plan to suit your pet’s and your family’s needs so you can achieve success in the war against the bulge.
Eventually, due to advanced age or serious illness, every family is faced with the decision of whether or not to euthanize their pet. This is a highly personal decision that each family must make together based on their pet’s individual needs and prognosis. Our veterinarians can help you work through the options to make the best decision for you and your pet. If your family has decided to euthanize your pet, you have the option to be present at the time of the procedure, or to have the procedure performed in our treatment area by one of our veterinarians. In addition, you can choose whether or not to have your pet’s ashes returned following cremation. The D&D Pet Crematorium has handled our cremation services for many years and you can rest assured that all of the pet’s remains are handled with care and respect through the entire process.
Susan & Chili
Susan started at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2006 as a veterinary technician. Her extensive retail, merchandising and animal industry experience in addition to her enthusiasm and ability to motivate the staff moved her quickly into the practice manager position. She has worked with almost every kind of animal including large animals, small animals, exotic animals and wildlife. Susan has been married for over 16 years and has three wonderful children in addition to 2 dogs (Chili and Dee Dee), two cats (Weaver and Spooty Kitten), a cockatiel (Angus), an iguana (Kingsley), a guinea pig (Coco), and a rabbit (Bun-unny).
Bodhi & Kim
Kim has been with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2001. She started out as a technician in treatment and is currently the treatment manager. Kim is a Florida native, moving to California in 1994. She has extensive experience and training in the medical field having completed a degree in Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy and Radiology Technician from Saint John’s River College in Florida. Kim has a Shepherd Mix named Bodhi and a cat named Raider. She is an avid Los Angeles Angels fan and enjoys sketching and playing softball on her days off.
Treatment Manager
Deborah & Jericho
Lead Technician
Deborah has worked at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 1982. After completing her Associate of Science degree in Animal Technology at Pierce College in 1985, she became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 1988. Deborah has a yellow Labrador Retriever named Bailey, and two cats, Jericho and Abby. She is a Mustang enthusiast and enjoys an active lifestyle including dancing, biking and exercising and training with her dog, Bailey.
Pickle & Lisa
Lisa began working at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2001 as a Pet Keeper, eventually working her way up to veterinary assistant and finally to a veterinary technician. She is a Southern California native and has one dog, Pickle, who is the love of her life. Lisa has a twin sister, Raquel, who also works at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital. On her days off she enjoys playing softball, baking and is an aspiring model.
Moe & Raquel
Raquel started at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2001. She first began in Pet Keeper and worked up to become a veterinary technician. She also occasionally helps out at the reception desk because of her superior customer service skills. Raquel is currently attending El Camino College studying to become a radiology technician. She has one dog, Moe, and four cats, Cali, Bella, Magesty and Angus. She is a huge L.A. Angels fan and enjoys playing softball in her free time.
Lee & Buddha
Lee has been with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2008. She is originally from Rhode Island, graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Wildlife Management in 1984. Lee came to California in 1985 and obtained her Registered Veterinary Technician License in 1993. Lee has four cats, Buddha, Harley, Sulu and Graham, and she enjoys bike riding and metal detecting.
David & Bailey
David originally hails from Guadalajara, Mexico where he received his degree in Medicina Veterinaria Zootechnician from the University of Guadalajara in 1977. He came to Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2002. David has two cats, Negro and Nina, and performs a public service by assisting with capture, spay and release of feral cats in the Southern California area. On his days off David enjoys studying and surfing the internet.
Dawn & Napster
IT Manager
Dawn has worked with animals for over 20 years and has worked at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2001. She started in treatment as a veterinary technician, quickly moving to a room technician and resident computer wizard. She is the mother of two wonderful human kids as well as one dog, Napster, and one cat, Gryffin. She is a Southern California local and is the number 1 fan of the Los Angeles Kings. On her days off you can always find her somewhere around the ice.
Tonnie & Bun-unny
Tonnie began at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2004 in Pet Keeper working her way up to a technician and room technician with a special interest in exotic animals. She also orders food and supplies for the hospital and assists with inventory management. Tonnie recently was married in 2008 and has two cats, Grey and Coco and a parakeet named Ziggy. She is an avid World of Warcraft gamer, and enjoys sewing and reading on her days off.
Viv & Baby
Viv attended the Career College of America, graduating in 2000 to become a licensed Pharmacy Technician. After working for several years in the human field, Viv’s love for animals drew her over to Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2006. She is a mother and a grandmother and has two cats, Bitty and Baby. In her spare time, Viv enjoys making jewelry and travelling.
Nicole & Nala
Nicole started at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2008 as a receptionist. She has worked in the veterinary industry for 10 years and has additional experience as a room technician and pharmacy technician. Her prior medical experience as well as her cheerful persona makes her a superbly skilled and knowledgeable receptionist. Nicole has four dogs, Nala, Nina, Monster and Happy. She loves to travel, adores New York City, enjoys 50’s and 60’s music, loves to dance and has a wonderfully infectious sense of humor.
MonkeyMan & Lauren
Lauren began at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2008. She has been working with animals since 2001 and has experience as a receptionist, room technician, and pharmacy technician. Her positive attitude and bright personality makes her a wonderful asset to the customer service staff. She has one cat named Monkey Man and enjoys going to the movies and the beach.
Jodi & Clarise
Jodi originally started at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2001. She took a sabbatical from 2006 through 2009 so she could stay at home with her new baby boy, Hayden. Jodi is a Southern California native and finished her studies at the American College of Medical Technology in 2006 to become a MRI technician. She is currently finishing her internship and retraining to obtain her certification as an MRI technician. Jodi has a twin brother and has three dogs, Chopper (a Shepherd/Rottweiler mix), Rocket and Clarise (both Chihuahuas).
Gizmo & Dolores
Dolores started as a Pet Keeper at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2004 and worked her way to becoming a receptionist because of her special caring way with both pets and clients. Dolores was married to the love of her life, Melvin, in 2006 and then left Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital for a few years from 2006 to 2009 so she could stay home with her baby girl, Elainah. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, cooking and travelling.
Fred & Bailey
Fred has worked with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2001 as a Pet Keeper. His special way with cats has dubbed him the “cat whisperer” of our hospital. In addition to his love for animals, every year he trains for and competes in the Special Olympics and has won multiple medals.
Kelly & Anya
Kelly has worked at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2005 in Pet Keeper. She is a Southern California native and has been married since 2006. She has one cat, Anya, and enjoys drawing, photography and watching TV on her days off.
Anthony & Harper
Anthony has been with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2006. He has a particular interest in grooming and hopes to be a certified groomer someday. Anthony is currently attending El Camino College and will be graduating in 2010 with his Associate of Arts degree in Sociology. On his days off, Anthony is a singer/guitarist in his band Nail Buni and helps manage a local skateboarding team.
Karen & Lola Bea
Karen originally hails from Oxford, England. She came to the states in 1984 and started at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital as a Pet Keeper in 2006. Karen has one dog, Lola Bea (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) and two cats, Missy Belle and Boss Man. She enjoys going to the movies, the beach and the park in her free time.
Simon & Rachel
Rachel began at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital in 2007 as a Pet Keeper. She has extensive animal experience at her father’s farm where they keep horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, a macaw and four dogs. She is currently attending CSU Long Beach and hopes to graduate in 2013 with a degree in Photography. Rachel is an avid Harry Potter fan and enjoys knitting, photography and concerts.
Buddy & Dee Dee
Buddy has worked with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2007. He is currently attending South High School and has an interest in trainin military and police dogs or working with canine search and rescue after he graduates.
Allie & Eddie
Eddie has worked at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2008 starting out as a Pet Keeper and working up to reception. He currently works in both positions making him a versatile employee. Eddie has two dogs, Allie (a Lab mix) and Chewy (a Dachshund and Pomeranian mix) and enjoys hiking, skateboarding and extreme sports.
Tony & Gizmo
Tony started out at Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital working in grooming with his cousin Junior in 2009 and eventually moved to Pet Keeper. He currently attends Bellflower High School and is a member of the Army ROTC, but hopes to join the United States Marine Corps after graduation.
Junior & Sparky
Junior Trujillo has been with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital since 2001, initially starting as a veterinary technician. Junior soon developed an interest and a talent for grooming and attended 4-Dogs Grooming Academy, beginning his grooming career here in 2004. His careful attention to detail and enthusiasm for learning more about the grooming arts has developed him into an experienced and sought-after groomer. Junior grooms each pet to his meticulous standard helping create a beautiful, well-groomed and odor-free companion.
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