About Us
Veterinarians
Deirdre Brandes, DVM
Dr. Deirdre Brandes received her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Chemistry and Nutrition at University of California at Davis in 1994 and went on to earn her degree in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University Veterinary School.
She is a life-long resident of San Diego and an alumni of Torrey Pines High School. After receiving her veterinary degree, Dr. Brandes returned to San Diego and worked as a veterinarian in various practices before founding Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital in 2005.
Dr. Brandes has remained active in her community throughout her life by volunteering her services for numerous causes, such as the Feral Cat Coalition, Project Wildlife, and Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Anaika Dayton, DVM
Dr. Anaika Dayton obtained her veterinary degree from University of California at Davis in 2001 after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Biology at University of California at Berkeley. Fluent in Spanish, she has traveled worldwide working with wildlife and domesticated animals.
She returned from a trip to Indonesia in 2006 working with Sumatran Rhinoceros. Having grown up in Solana Beach, Dr. Dayton has worked in veterinary clinics in Oceanside and Orange County before returning to her hometown and becoming a member of the team at Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital. And for a piece of trivia: Dr. Dayton and Dr. Brandes played on the same varsity soccer time during high school!
Dr. Dayton has been with our practice since 2005. She’s pictured left, with Hobart.
Sophie Steele, DVM
Born in Argentina, Dr. Sophie Steele was raised in France, Hong Kong and Brazil. In high school, her parents relocated to the San Francisco area where they settled permanently and become US citizens. Dr Steele attended the University of California at Davis where she earned a degree in Animal Sciences in 1995, then completed her veterinary degree (DVM) at U.C. Davis in 1999.
While at U.C. Davis, Dr Sophie met her husband Brad, a southern California native who is also a veterinary doctor. They have two boys, Colin who is five and Samuel who just turned one.
Shortly after graduation, the Steele’s were married and spent the year traveling and participating in veterinary research projects in southern Africa. After returning, they moved to the San Diego area and Dr, Steele worked as an associate doctor both in San Diego and Orange County. In 2003, the Steele’s took on the construction of a state-of-the-art animal hospital and pet hotel in North County, but sold their practice to allow more time for family and travel.
Dr. Steele has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, dentistry and ophthalmology. She is fluent in French, English, Portuguese and Spanish. When not working as a veterinarian, Dr. Sophie spends her time in her garden or with her family pursuing her true passion for travel and adventure.
Stephen Long, VMD
As of February 1, 2008, Dr. Stephen Long is no longer with Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital. He and his family are moving back East and we wish him the best of luck!
Dr. Stephen Long grew up in the northeastern United States, where he was graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a BA in Chemistry before earning his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991.After spending nine years in private small animal practice on the East coast, Dr. Long moved to California’s Central Valley, where he worked at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis as a lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine.
Dr. Long has worked as a veterinarian in North San Diego County since 2002 and joined our practice in 2005.
Managers
Dave Oei, General Manager
Dave has taken the long road to working at a veterinary hospital. Originally a graduate from UC Davis with degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology, he’s worked after college as a network administrator, computer programmer, software configuration manager, and marketing product manager. Several of the companies he’s worked for include Websense, Inc. and EMC.
Along the way he became an inventor, and completed an MBA at San Diego State University with a thesis in the subject of International Accounting.
Currently, he oversees marketing, finance, information technology, and human resources for the hospital.
Also, he found himself fortuitously married to one of the above veterinarians. When not working at the hospital, Dave can often be seen chasing around his two sons.
Kristen Petersen, Office Lead
Kristen grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and recently moved to San Diego to attend the University of California, where she is studying Sociology.
Her love for animals brought her to a receptionist job at Petaluma Veterinary Hospital in the Bay Area, and she was thrilled to find similar work when she moved down to San Diego. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys surfing and gymnastics, and spending time with her two kitties.
Rosie Bosler, Hospital Manager
Rosie grew up in Orange County and has always had a passion for 80’s music and animals. She’s been in the veterinary field for over 10 years and has served other hospital in the capacity has a technician and a nurse manager. On her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies, and travelling when at all possible, with Las Vegas as her favorite destination!
Additionally, she’s an avid Orchid grower and recently acquired her own greenhouse. She loves fostering orphaned kittens, puppies, birds, and even opossums. Rosie currently has 5 cats (Spot, Sylvester, Pud, Winnifer, Pixie) who also share the love of vintage Journey music.
Cheyenne Stenvers Stoltzfus, Lead Technician
Cheyenne was born and raised in Sonoma County but most recently comes to us from Arizona, where she worked for the last few years as a Veterinary Technician. She’s been interested in veterinary medicine since the early age of 13, has worked in the field since 16, and studied biology and animal science in college. Her current primary interests are in dentistry and radiology, including ultrasound, but she enjoys all aspects of the field. Cheyenne is also the proud owner of two 4-year old Scottish Terriers and one, older, gentlemanly cat, known as Master Gus.
When not at work, Cheyenne enjoys the great outdoors, art, theater, movies, dance, concerts, and hanging out with her pets.
Jennifer Heath, Lead Technician
Ever since an early age, Jennifer had a strong affinity with animals and knew her calling was to be their advocate. She grew up in Upstate NY where her family encouraged her devotion to animals. After obtaining a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology, Jennifer moved to Massachusetts to conduct whale research in the North Atlantic, in the hopes of helping to preserve the endangered species. She recently relocated to California after having worked in the veterinary field for 10 years, and as a Veterinary Technician since 2000.
Jennifer enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, with particular interests in emergency and intensive care, and ultrasound/radiology diagnostics. On her spare time, she can be spotted with her two rescue 2 kitties Roo and Sargie, husband, and often on a kayak exploring new places, or reading.
Staff
Ashley Vogel, Veterinary Technician
Ashley is originally from Northern California, but settled relatively recently in San Diego after attending UCSD. She graduated with a degree in Psychology, and recently received her EMT certification. Additionally, at UCSD she joined the springboard diving team and made the national team. Long ago she had competed competitively in gymnastics for 9 years, but now teaches children and adults on the finer points of the round-off-back-handspring.
After joining us in 2005 as a receptionist, she became a veterinary assistant in 2006, then was promoted as veterinary technician in 2007.
Bri Welch, Registered Veterinary Technician
As of July 31, 2008, Bri is no longer with our hospital, but has moved on and started veterinary school this fall. Good luck and we hope to see you in 4 years!
Bri recently graduated from California State San Marcos and hopes to attend veterinary school starting in 2007 or 2008. She comes to us with three years of experience in the veterinary field. When not repairing the rotors or breaks on her purple pick-up truck, she can be seen practicing her soccer passes, and improving her arm musculature while heaving around very heavy sci-fi/fanstasy novels.
Dawn Augustine, Veterinary Technician
Sarah Crompton, Registered Veterinary Technician
Sarah has recently graduated from Mesa College having received her degree as a veterinary technician. After taking the boards in August 2007, she hopes to become California board-certified. She’s also the proud owner of a cat, a bird, and a leopard gecko. If you’re lucky, you might catch her on sunning on the beach, listening to tunes, or dancing it up country-style.
Sarah Higgins, Veterinary Assistant
Sarah comes to us having recently graduated from the University of California in San Diego with a degree in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution. As a student, she’s conducted work in scientific settings whle also volunteering at the Birch Aquarium.
Shannon Ehlers, Veterinary Assistant
