Jessica (Jess) Favish
I started my career in VetMed in 2000 not long after driving in San Diego from Buffalo, NY. As a young adult with 2 large dogs of my own I was gaining a lot of experience with veterinary medicine and animal behavior. I began working with Dr. Dean Crowe of Encinitas Village Veterinary Clinic, I started out as a receptionist and grew into an assistant. Between the ten, client and of course our patients, the practice felt like home. There’s always been lots of hands-on learning and continuing education that’s kept this job from feeling stale. Every day is something new!
After 15 great years with Dr. Crowe it was time for him to retire and sell the little clinic to Dr. Sandy Ullman. Through her Encinitas Animal Hospital was born and I was fortunate enough to be invited to stay on with Dr. Ullman as she transformed the vet clinic into our hospital with updated state of the art equipment and endless possibilities. As time has passed I’ve continued to go where support is needed, whether it’s helping our CSRs in the front or assisting our Doctors ad techs in back with our procedures and patient care. There’s never a dull moment.
Outside of Work I look forward to warmer weather for paddle boarding. The cooler months have me watching football. - GO BILLS! I enjoy being out with my 4 dogs. I love my sighthounds, Shea & Jax are my big greyhounds and my little whippets Winnie and Luke. Any time I can get a date night with my husband or one of my sons is always the best use of my time.
I’m looking forward to the opening of our new hospital as well as meeting the CVPM requirements ad becoming a member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. Every year has come with new experiences and our patients have all been special to me one way or another, and that’s why I stay.
Joe White
With a background in customized audio visual design and installation, I bring my tech savvy skills, eye for design, and willingness to hard work to the exam tables. Having helped design the floor plan and design aspects of our new hospital - coming soon to you - I've found a way to combine my skills and talents with vetmed. When you see it, let us know what you think.
I’m the proud father of my amazingly talented daughter, Shelby who is not only an ace at academics but talented in music. Her adept skills at the French Horn had the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the U.S. Army Orchestra scouting her for an audition at the age of 18 - very proud father!
Every day in hospital I’m growing a working knowledge of veterinary assisting while helping provide treatments, diagnostics and care to all of our patients entrusted to us. I’m a proud member of the Encinitas Animal Hospital Team. In my free time I enjoy caring for my pets and loved ones (in that order), cooking & baking new curated recipes from scratch, walks on the beach, barbecuing, traveling, and learning new things to keep broadening my horizons.
Staci Dixon
HI, my name is Staci, your friendly neighborhood Customer Service Representative up front and center with Encinitas Animal Hospital.
Before becoming a part of the team, you’d find me teaching kids on the soccer fields across town; so innocent those little rascals were. I’ve always been around animals my whole life from hamsters all the way up to horses. As a matter of fact, I used to be a trail guide at horseman’s park for years, which is where I got my first horse.
When you all through Encinitas Animal Hospital’s front door, I’m one of the first peeps you’ll meet… ready to make your visit with your furry friend the most pleasant and welcoming experiences, and provide the best care for your pet’s needs.
When I’m not at the office I love spending time with my husband camping, lounging at the beach, hiking with our 2 crazy dogs, watching my youngest son play baseball - GO Torrey Pines Falcons - or kicking around the lazy college town Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with our oldest son. It’s a very busy yet super fulfilling life!
Nikki Wheeler
Hi! My name is Nikki and I was born and raised in sunny Southern California. Here at Encinitas Animal Hospital you’ll see me as one of the CSRs. I used to be in human medicine, but my love for animals took over. So I went back to school and became a Vet Assistant. Not only do I get to connect to the clients up front, but I also get to work in the backwash all the fur babies. IN my spare time I love going to the zoo, and of course spending time with my own fur babies Fiona & Tucker, and my feather baby Tiki.
Allyson Diaz
Having held several positions within animal health for the better part of two decades, Encinitas native Ally has a passion caring for animals originating in early childhood. A Cum Laude graduate of Temple University (B.A. in Cultural Studies and Psychology) and Long Beach State University (B.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry) she started as the Cat Program Manager for Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS-San Diego, a 501c3), through to various front and back positions in veterinary general practices as well as Emergency Hospitals.
During a 7 year break from VetMed served as the Public Relations Officer for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo. Even in this capacity she crossed paths in VetMed consulting for officials and delegates of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), World Health Organization, United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO), and World Organization for Animal Health (OIE/WOAH). She returned back to the US - and permanently back into VetMed - in 2020, eventually finding her way home to Encinitas Animal Hospital where she manages our marketing, works as a CSR, and helps assist in the back. She is a member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) studying to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager.
In her scant free time she enjoys Netflix & chilling with her cats Goosey (orange tabby female) and Nightingale (sleek house panther), and staff Zoey. In her imaginary extra time she enjoys giving her neighbors free opera performances from the shower, cooking, gardening, swimming, and is an amateur genealogist.