Our Doctors

An 11th generation native Los Angelean, Dr. Sandy Ullman was born and raised here in Southern California, so she knows our own unique SoCal way of life. To fulfill her dream, she ventured to Kansas where she earned her veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 1985. For the past 30 years she has honed her skills in General Practice. 

She has owned Encinitas Animal Hospital for 10 years and loves the connections she makes with the families and pets in our beautiful coastal community. She loves what she does so much that, while the hospital was under construction, Dr. Ullman moved operations to her home in Olivenhain! While there she continued to see patients out of her garage and, via house calls with her staff, either stationed at the computer command post on the dining room table, assisting with procedures on the kitchen island, out by the pool, and on the green grass under her canary palm.   

Dr. Ullman prides herself on her ability to offer conservative medicine and surgery at a fair price.  She is an excellent communicator who makes sure owners understand their options, helps them navigate through those alternatives, and to make the best health care choice for their pets. Encinitas Animal Hospital, under her leadership, maintains that coastal small-town feel; even as North County’s population booms and most all other privately owned practices in the area have been purchased by corporations. She loves being part of a single doctor practice, which allows her to follow every pet that enters our practice from start to finish. The ability for an owner to see the same vet every time they schedule an appointment is also a plus.  

When not at work, Dr Ullman loves to horse camp along the California coast with her Quarter Horse, Piper, ski in Mammoth with her kids, Jack 22 and Samantha 19, or play on the beach with her Springers, Daisy and Hazel.  Other passions are good books, jigsaw puzzles, crafting, and sitting in a beach chair facing the sun. 

Dr. Ira Abrams is a highly experienced veterinarian with a career spanning over four decades. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, he graduated as Valedictorian from the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. After completing his studies, he spent a year practicing in Chicago before relocating to Los Angeles for a warmer climate. Dr. Abrams continued to build his expertise in small animal care, working as an associate veterinarian and later providing relief work in San Diego. In 1985, he took a significant step by purchasing his own veterinary practice in San Marcos, California, where he served the community for 21 years.

In 2006, after selling his practice to focus more on family life, Dr. Abrams briefly stepped away from the veterinary field. However, his passion for animal care led him to return to veterinary medicine, where he now works across several clinics. Outside of his professional life, Dr. Abrams enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with his family, cherishing the time spent with loved ones. His decades of experience and commitment to animal health continue to make him a respected figure in the veterinary community.

Dr. Hayles is a long time San Diego resident, completing a Bachelor of Science at UC San Diego in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience in 2000. Dr. Hayles completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at UC Davis in 2006. After completing his veterinary degree, Dr. Hayles began a competitive one-year rotating small animal internship at the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG) in Ventura, CA. This year included intensive training by veterinary specialists in radiology, surgery, internal medicine, emergency and critical care and oncology. Directly following his internship, Dr. Hayles began a three year radiology residency at Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. His training in diagnostic imaging was overseen by highly accomplished veterinary radiologists and included small and large animal diagnostic ultrasound, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy and nuclear scintigraphy. Concurrently, Dr. Hayles earned a Masters in Veterinary Science (MS) degree, with research focusing on abdominal MRI and correlations to abdominal ultrasound; specifically regarding adrenal gland anatomy.

In 2010, Dr. Hayles successfully completed his written and oral board examinations to become a veterinary radiologist, certified by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR). After several months remaining at WSU as a clinical instructor, Dr. Hayles and his wife, Andrea returned to Encinitas.

When not working, Dr. Hayles enjoys surfing, ultimate Frisbee, travelling, Dungeons & Dragons, LARP-ing, and spending time with his wife, two sons, Alexander and Andrew (Drew), his dog named Charles Jr. and cat named Bali.