MEET THE STAFF

Your CoastView Veterinary team is Fear Free Certified! Meet the staff, our family, of experienced veterinary professionals. It is from our genuine love of animals, dedication to our profession, and respect for the human-animal bond that we all have chosen to spend our lives providing care for your canine companions and feline friends. We’re looking forward to meeting you and your pets.


Dr. Laura Schultz, Medical Director

Fear Free Certified Veterinarian serving the Clairemont area of San Diego

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Laura grew up in a small, rural town in Virginia where she was surrounded by family pets as well as her uncle’s farm animals. She credits many influential people in her life for helping her understand the true importance and worth of every animal.

She attended Virginia Tech for her undergraduate studies in Animal Science. She continued onto the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her DVM degree in 2002 and married Adam Schultz, a Naval Aviator and fellow Hokie, that same summer.

In addition to ongoing continuing education, Laura is one of the few and among the first veterinarian in the Clairemont neighborhood to achieve status as an official Fear Free Certified Professional.

Coworkers describe Dr. Schultz as the one rare doctor who stands-out and truly shines. She has a lovely bedside manner and really takes time to listen to pet owners’ concerns and answer questions. She treats all with compassion while improving the quality of lives through education and empathy.

As a leader, she creates an environment in which the technicians and vets want to do better – and to be better; better team members, better caregivers, better people. Her work ethic is amazing and she juggles all of her responsibilities with ease. She is experienced and progressive, but maintains the warmth of a neighborhood family vet.

In her own words:
I have spent my career not only as a veterinarian, but as a military spouse – moving every three years and gaining various experiences in the field. I have been so fortunate to work in many different environments including private practice (over three years right here in Clairemont), in animal shelters, and with the Army and military working dogs while living overseas. Through each experience, I have gained invaluable tools to help me become a well-rounded and compassionate veterinarian, teacher, business owner, mother, and spouse.

I landed permanently in San Diego and am excited about the growth of family and friends at CoastView Veterinary Hospital. When not working in the animal hospital or teaching at Mesa College, I enjoy spending time with my family which includes my husband, Adam, two children, two cats, and dog.

Professional Affiliations:
AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners)
AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior)
CVMA (California Veterinary Medical Association)
SDCVMA (San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association)
Adjunct Professor – Mesa College Animal Health Technology Program
Fear Free Elite Certified Professional

Dr. Lena Stuart

Fear Free Certified Veterinarian serving the Clairemont area of San Diego

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Dr. Stuart’s journey to becoming a veterinarian was anything but conventional. Born in Ukraine, she was raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was there that she found a love for science and research during her undergraduate studies. This sparked a passion that led her to delve deeper into the world of research, and she subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Immunology. Craving a change in environment and warmth, she found herself drawn to the sunny shores of San Diego, where she dove into biomedical research.

In Dr. Stuart’s spare time, she began volunteering with the Baja Animal Sanctuary animal rescue group from Rosarito. This stirred up a passion for animal welfare that directed her back to academia to pursue a veterinary degree at Western University of Health Sciences, from which she graduated in 2009. She then completed a strict one-year small animal rotating internship at the VCA Veterinary Referral Center in Sacramento, before returning to stunning San Diego to practice her profession. Her interests within veterinary medicine cover a broad spectrum, including internal medicine, dermatology, surgery, and the provision of compassionate care to all her patients.

She harbors a special affection for geriatric medicine and pain management. One of the things she truly loves about her job is educating pet owners and helping them make the best decisions for the well-being of their beloved pets. Outside the clinic, Dr. Stuart can be found engaging in outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, and kayaking alongside her family. Their home is lively, hosting two feisty terriers, Moose and Murray, a playful one-eyed cat named Gracie, and several aquatic creatures. Dr. Stuart is excited to be part of the Coastview team, where the commitment to compassionate care and quality of medicine align with her values. She practices Fear Free medicine that honors both the emotional and physical well-being of animals. She is eager to work with you and your furry family members.


Dr. Caitie Morse

Fear Free Certified Veterinarian serving the Clairemont area of San Diego

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Dr. Caitie Morse was born and raised in Sacramento where her deep-seated love for animals began with a childhood surrounded by pets. She completed her undergraduate studies in Environmental Policy at UC San Diego where she fell in love with the city. Just before graduating, she realized her true calling was veterinary medicine, leading her to shift career paths. After graduating, Dr. Morse worked at a veterinary hospital, which solidified her passion for the field and led her to pursue a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Upon returning to San Diego, Dr. Morse joined CoastView Veterinary Hospital, where she has loved practicing Fear Free. She is enthusiastic about all aspects of general practice, with particular interests in preventative care, anesthesia, surgery, and pain management.

Outside of work, Dr. Morse enjoys hiking, watching reality TV, and spending quality time with her beloved pets: her two cats, Mr. Kitty and Pickles, and her corgi, Waffles.


Dr. Vinutha Gowda

Fear Free Certified Veterinarian serving the Clairemont area of San Diego

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Dr. Vinutha Gowda joined CoastView Veterinary Hospital in May of 2022 as a staff veterinarian. Dr. Gowda grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and studied at Northwestern University. She studied engineering but switched gears, going back to her childhood dream career. She attended the Western University of Health Science in Pomona and graduated with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She has worked in specialty practices, shelter medicine as well international rescues. She has a special interest in preventative veterinary medicine, has a Masters in Public Health from Bloomberg School of Public Health and is boarded by the American College of Preventive Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Gowda currently resides in San Diego with her husband, her three kids and her dog, a Barbet, named Crusher. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, gardening, swimming and teaching her dog new tricks . On most early mornings you can find her cruising the berm with Crusher at Fiesta Island.


Dr. Robin Roque

Fear Free Certified Veterinarian serving the Clairemont area of San Diego

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While she’s always been an animal lover, Dr. Roque’s path to veterinary medicine was not a linear one. Originally interested in neurobiology, she spent many hours as an undergraduate working as a research assistant in a neurodevelopment lab.

Her sole interest was in biology, but after she graduated she decided to get out of her comfort zone and moved to Washington, D.C. to explore teaching and tutoring at an elementary school.

Still having an itch for science, she moved to Boston, MA to pursue a research position where she worked extensively with mice in a neuro-auditory lab. It was during that time that she discovered that veterinary medicine was the perfect way to blend her love for animals, people, science, and teaching.

Her favorite thing about the veterinary field is just how many avenues of medicine there are to delve into. No day is the same, and the opportunity for growth and learning is endless.

On her days off, she loves being active. She is passionate about surfing, running, climbing, cooking, and enjoying valuable time with her husband, family and friends, and her crazy dog, Lady Bug.


Leanne


Fear Free Certified  Tech Supervisor

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Leanne became part of the Coastview family in 2018, but she has worked in the veterinary field since 2004. She attended San Diego State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She lives with her husband, 2 dogs (Dinah and Rigby), bunny (Grayson), and cat (Lion). She enjoys hiking, spending time with friends, and traveling. On the weekends you might find Leanne and her family kayaking in the San Diego Bay with Dinah and Rigby sitting at the bow of the boat.

Leanne’s love for animal medicine is fortified by her admiration of the human animal bond. She quickly realized a passion for animal behavior when she saw how behavior impacts our relationship with our pets. She obtained her Registered Veterinary Technician License in 2014. She has lectured at the Western Veterinary Conference and has an interest in client and staff education. She is currently pursuing her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Behavior, a credential that will allow her to impart credible knowledge about behavior and offer specialized training services. Leanne is elated to be working with individuals who share her same philosophy for compassionate care and exceptional client service. She is excited to get to know you and your pet family, so drop by for a “Fear Free Happy Visit” and say hi to Leanne.


Laura R.

Fear Free Certified Registered Veterinary Technician


Janel
Fear Free Certified Registered Veterinary Technician


Johnny


Fear Free Certified Registered Veterinary Technician


Somer


Fear Free Certified Registered Veterinary Technician


Meghan


Fear Free Certified Veterinary Assistant


Star


Fear Free Certified Veterinary Assistant


Theresa


Fear Free Certified Veterinary Assistant


Bre

Fear Free Certified Veterinary Assistant


Kimberly

Fear Free Certified Veterinary Assistant


Ryan


Fear Free Certified Veterinary Assistant


Brigid


Fear Free Certified Client Service Representative


Andrea

Fear Free Certified Client Service Representative


Shannel

Fear Free Certified Client Service Representative


Joice


Fear Free Certified Client Service Representative


Vannessa Hulstine, CVBL


Fear Free Certified Hospital Manager

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As the oldest of two, she grew up in LA County, where her passion for animals and the ocean began. She spent over five years working for Disney in various upper management departments before seizing the opportunity of a lifetime in San Diego, where she worked with marine mammals, including orcas, dolphins, and whales. Living out her childhood dream, she developed a deep connection with these incredible creatures.

Transitioning to veterinary medicine over a decade ago, she has gained extensive experience in General Practice, Emergency Critical Care, and Specialty care. She is fluent in English and ASL, with conversational skills in very broken Spanish.

Beyond her professional life, she shares her home with two fur babies, Cleo, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, and Bella, a 12-year-old Chihuahua mix, along with a snake named Cricket and a turtle named Jager. She is passionate about staying active in the outdoors, is certified as a rescue diver, and loves to disconnect by camping with her husband and their dogs, or cheering on the Padres at baseball games.