Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County

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San Marcos, CA
Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County

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Providing 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary care to pets and their families in San Marcos and surrounding areas.
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Trusted by pet parents and primary care veterinarians for compassionate, collaborative care. Since 1990, we have been the preeminent, world-class veterinary specialty center in the North County area, with top specialists providing exceptional service and care using state-of-the-art technology

10/30/2026

Día de los Mu***os de las Mascotas was on October 27th, and we set up an Ofrenda for our employees to bring in photos of beloved pets that have crossed the rainbow bridge.

Día de los Mu***os de las Mascotas and Día de los Mu***os are sacred, reverential times to remember, honor, and welcome back deceased loved ones. Employees have been able to decorate frames, leave offerings such as tuna or tennis balls, and have a place to remember their precious pets.

If you made an Ofrenda at home, what were your offerings to your pets this year? May we always remember the love and devotion our pets give us.

10/24/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week! 🐾 🎉

Every day this week we will be highlighting a different technician from our hospital that helps care for your pets. Help us celebrate all of these hard-working technicians that keep things running behind the scenes!

Meet Crystal!

Crystal is not only an RVT, but she also holds VTS credentials in both Anesthesia & Analgesia and Emergency & Critical Care. She is also an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional and a Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional, so her patients get more than expert care. Whether it's a fragile ICU patient heading to surgery or an anxious cat who needs a little extra patience, Crystal brings calm expertise, sharp clinical judgment, and a deep commitment to keeping patients safe and comfortable.
She is just as dedicated to the people around her, always making sure the team is in good spirits and feels supported in their work.

Crystal has taught continuing education across Southern California since 2018, and here at VSH, she invests in helping our technicians grow their skills and confidence. She is also co-authoring an upcoming textbook chapter on anesthesia for minimally invasive surgical oncology, and she hosts The Passionate Pawedcast, where she shares the stories of people shaping veterinary medicine.
Off the clock, Crystal is endlessly curious. You might find her reading about neuroscience and the nature of consciousness, figuring out what motivates people in their lives and careers. When she needs a break from learning, she's tending to her plants, diving into a creative project, or resetting with some reality TV alongside her three cats and two dogs!

Thank you, Crystal, for being such a vital part of our hospital. When anyone has a problem, question, needs to learn a new skill, or needs help with a patient you are always there for us.

10/23/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week! 🐾 🎉

Meet Kat!

Also known around VSH as Mama Kat, Kat has been with VSH since the very beginning in 1997 with 30 years of employment with us! If you have ever needed to rush a pet in overnight, she was likely the first face you saw. Originally starting at Sorrento Valley, Kat moved to the North County hospital when we first opened over 15 years ago. Prior to working for VSH, Kat was an Animal Care Specialist for the US Army where she served 9 years total, 4 years active duty and 5 years in the reserves. Even now, Kat prioritizes the care of animals and volunteers for Street Dog, helping with their clinics on her days off. Kat's children have all been raised in Vet Med, with her eldest daughter currently working at Sorrento Valley and her youngest daughter working here at North County!

Mama Kat is a truly invaluable part of VSH. Everyone that works with her becomes one of her children, and she is always happy to teach those willing to learn. Over the years she has not only been invaluable to assistants and technicians, but even the doctors! Anyone can approach her with questions or for help, and she is always there for her team. Kat is also our most senior phlebotomist and often comes to work with ten different people already needing her assistance in obtaining blood or samples for testing.

Beyond her technical skill, Kat makes so much of the staff here at VSH feel like family. She knows what is going on in our lives, she is a listening ear and helps so many of us navigate problems in our lives. She cooks for our birthdays and celebrates all of our accomplishments. She helps raise the staff up and gives us all the confidence to continue learning and trying to master these new skills. Mama Kat is the technician we all want to be when we grow up, and she truly makes all the difference here at VSH.

Thank you, Mama Kat, for all you have done for the pets in our community over the years. Thank you for always showing up and being the mom we need. You are beyond appreciated, and we are so lucky to have you!

10/22/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week! 🐾 🎉

Every day this week we will be highlighting a different technician from our hospital that helps care for your pets. Help us celebrate all of these hard-working technicians that keep things running behind the scenes!

Meet Adriana!

Adriana is an RVT for our Neurology department and has been at VSHNC for just over 2 years. Adriana started her career in veterinary medicine almost 10 years ago, and even used to work at our Sorrento Valley Hospital as an Internal Medicine technician. Adriana has brought with her a wealth of knowledge, making her a go-to person in the hospital for those trying to learn. Adriana has been such a huge help in not only assisting people on the floor in the moment, but also in teaching others new skills, helping prepare for exams like the VTNE, and educating our newer assistants on the basics of veterinary medicine. One of Adriana's favorite things is to utilize her Sociology degree by helping with conflict resolution in client communication, helping to deescalate situations and ensure her clients are leaving comfortable with the plan for their pet. She is able to come from a place of listening, understanding, and support making not only her clients feel validated and supported, but her coworkers as well.

Adriana is a huge believer in work/life balance, and when not at work you can find her either powerlifting in the gym, paddleboarding, or off on a fun adventure!

Thank you Adriana! You're hard work and dedication for making pets feel their best while supporting those around you is truly unmatched.

10/21/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week! 🐾 🎉

Every day this week we will be highlighting a different technician from our hospital that helps care for your pets. Help us celebrate all of these hard-working technicians that keep things running behind the scenes!

Meet Nicole!

Nicole started out in Veterinary Medicine as a kennel attendant at a general practice hospital. She was only 15 years old and instantly knew vet med was her calling. Originally hired to be an assistant for our Cardiology team, it was obvious she was a very high-level assistant that could fill the role of a technician. Nicole has been at VSH for a year and a half and has impressed us all with her skills and passion for learning. We were not surprised when she passed the VTNE a few months ago earning her RVT license! Her favorite experience in vet med was when she got to help anesthetize a bald eagle!🦅

Thank you Nicole for all you do for our patients, and for keeping the Cardio team running! We are so proud of you, and we look forward to helping you one day earn your VTS in Cardiology!

10/20/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week! 🐾 🎉

Every day this week we will be highlighting a different technician from our hospital that helps care for your pets. Help us celebrate all of these hard-working technicians that keep things running behind the scenes!

Meet James!

James has been at VSH for over 4 years, and he has done it all! He started in Patient Care caring for all of our hospitalized pets before becoming a Specialty Float to help all the specialty departments, and recently switched back to Patient Care. From Diagnostic Imaging, to Ophthalmology, to Cardiology- James has done it all! He has learned so many skills during his time at VSH making him a vital person in the hospital. He is also the person anyone can talk to or go to if a laugh is needed. His approachability not only makes him an asset for those trying to learn something new, but also for the employees that might just need a listening ear. When not in the hospital, there is a good chance he is off on an adventure somewhere!

James finished his RVT program last year, and is getting ready to take the VTNE soon to earn his RVT! We wish you the best of luck, James! Thank you for all you do for your patients and your fellow coworkers.

10/19/2026

10/18/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week! 🐾 🎉

Every day this week we will be highlighting a different technician from our hospital that helps care for your pets. Help us celebrate all of these hard-working technicians that keep things running behind the scenes!

Meet Andee!

Andee is an assistant in our Emergency Department and has been with VSH for over 5 years. She fell in love with emergency medicine right away and loves the fast-paced environment and never knowing what is coming next. She has learned so much and can't imagine being anywhere else. She may not be an RVT, but she is a vital part of our emergency team, showing you don't need to have your license to step up and do the hard work. She is always there to not only help your pets but support her coworkers in everything from being a listening ear or teaching new skills.

When not at work, you can find Andee with her boxer Rowdy or out in the desert having fun!

Thank you, Andee, for all your hard work and dedication to our patients. You truly make a difference!

10/17/2026

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

Shelter dogs have so much love to give, and adopting can give them the second chance they deserve. If you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, consider visiting your local shelter or rescue and meeting a dog who is looking for their forever home.

A little love can change a life.

10/15/2026

Our Ascend Symposium this past Sunday was a success!

Thank you to all of our speakers, donors, and to everyone who attended. And thank you TERI Campus of Life for again providing such a wonderful location for us for the second year in a row!

We don't have the words to express how grateful we are for our veterinary community. The collaboration we have built between doctors, technicians, and hospitals across San Diego is so important to us, and helps us provide the best care we can to all of our fuzzy friends.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. We cannot wait for year three!

Address

2055 Montiel Road UNIT 104
San Marcos, CA
92069

Telephone

+17604660600

Website

https://vshnc.ethosvet.com/

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