ASG

Peggy was brought up in the Midwest where her family instilled in her an early passion for animal care. Her family raised sporting dogs and homing pigeons.

She has worked in the animal field all of her adult life.  Starting in the veterinary world as a teenager, her other animal interests include police dog training (Schutzhund) and AKC obedience.  She has also worked as a Certified Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapist. One day she hopes to be involved in the emerging field of veterinary hyperbarics.

Working as the Hospital Coordinator at Animal Specialty Group allows Peggy to interact with both our patients and our clients.  She enjoys being a witness to miracles on a daily basis as our patients are put on the road to wellness.

Peggy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, three dogs and a cat.

Jennifer Caruso was born and raised in Southern California. She attended Santa Monica College for her degree in Liberal Arts in 1996. Jennifer regularly attends continuing education classes to further her knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine.

Jennifer started at Animal Specialty Group in 1997 as a receptionist. In 1999, Jennifer furthered her career at Animal Specialty Group as a technician and office assistant. Through her hard work and dedication, in 2001, Jennifer became the office manager at Animal Specialty Group.

In 1995 Rhette graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in criminology. Following graduation she moved to Fort Worth, Texas where she worked as a parole officer for the State of Texas for many years. She also worked part time as a juvenile detention/ probation officer, focusing more with juveniles and substance abuse. Due to the heavy caseloads, the recidivism and the need to see the good in people again Rhette made a career change.

In 2001 she enrolled in Cedar Valley College, veterinary technology program.  She obtained her RVT license in 2004 in Texas and 2007 in CA.  She started out working in emergency medicine for a family owned general practice.  In 2005 she moved to Sacramento, California and worked for about three years at the UC Davis, VMTH in the ICU and emergency departments as an animal health technician III.  Rhette credits the VMTH for teaching her a wealth of knowledge and pushing her past her fear of the unknown. She moved to the Los Angeles area towards the end of 2008 and took a brief position as a supervisor at another hospital.

In 2009 she finally found her home at ASG and started in the ICU.  In July of 2010 Rhette became the technician supervisor.  She still works part time on the floor in the ICU, while balancing her role of supervising a number of fantastic technicians. She enjoys traveling, collecting art, the theater, scuba diving, cooking, finding new areas to explore all over LA, hiking and spending time with her 13 year old Jack Russell.

Desiree has been a part of the ASG family for nearly four years.

In 2006, she graduated from California State University Politechnic, Pomona with a Bachelors Degree in Biology. She has been studying and is currently eligible to take the exam to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.

She has been a technician for fourteen years focusing primarily on her passion, surgery. She says she feels almost as comfortable in the surgery room as she feels sitting in her own living room. She has always had a love for surgery since she was a little girl, and feels blessed to have found that love at an early age.

She lives at home with her partner, Carl. They have two dogs (Rockstar and Wookie), a cat (Nala), a lop ear rabbit (Bonnie), and two cockatiels (Maverick and Goose). When she’s not in the surgery room, she spends most of her time taking photographs and learning Photoshop. She also enjoys hiking, shopping, and watching television.

Steven received his BA in Administrative Science with a minor in Finance from The Ohio State University in 1981. After relocating from Ohio to California be became a Certified Public Accountant and worked in public accounting for the national firm of Ernst  & Whinney (currently known as Ernst & Young).

Steven has held the controller position for both an international real estate investment corporation and a national commercial real estate development entity. Steven is a member of the California Board of Accountancy and the American Institute of CPA’s. As principal of Steven M. Katz, CPA, a public accounting and consulting firm he developed a niche for veterinary medicine through his experience with various veterinary clients.

He has worked with Animal Specialty Group as a consultant for over 10 years and has held the position of Hospital Administrator since 2005.

Steven lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with his wife and two boys who share their house with their two dogs “Cookie” and “Cody” as well as “Lori” their leopard gecko. Steven enjoys spending time with family & friends, traveling, cooking, hiking & cycling.

Mary was born and raised in upstate New York and from a very young age, she knew she wanted a career taking care of animals.

She attended State University of New York Agricultural and Technical College at Delhi where she graduated in 1985 with a degree in Veterinary Science Technology. She continued her education with the assistance of a basketball scholarship at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, graduating with a Bachelor of Science.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1987, she began her career working as an ICU technician and then a surgery technician with Dr. Kirk Wendelburg at another hospital in the city. Mary obtained her California RVT license in 1989. She then followed Dr. Wendelburg in 1991 after he started what was then called Animal Surgical Referral, and has had the privilege of working with him ever since.

Mary has handled various duties through the years, but her favorite is as an anesthesia/surgery technician.

Mary shares a home in Burbank with her cats and her hobbies include reading, riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and training for the Los Angeles Marathon. She is active in both the local Chapter of Harley Owners Group and the LA Roadrunners as a pace leader.