Dr. Liz Grey

Veterinarian + Medical Director

Dr. Grey was born in New York, but her family moved to San Diego when she was 12. While she was growing up, her family did a lot of rescue work with animals. Her father impressed upon her at an early age that once you commit to an animal, you are responsible for providing it with the best care possible. Dr. Grey knew at an early age that becoming a veterinarian would combine two of her favorite things – caring for animals and solving mysteries.

Dr. Grey did her undergraduate work at San Diego State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1982. She was the number one graduate in her department and part of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. She went on to the University of California at Davis, graduating in 1987 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Soon after that, she came home to San Diego. She began working at Carmel Mountain Ranch Veterinary Hospital in 1990 and went on to purchase the hospital in 1994.

Dr. Grey’s special interests in medicine include dermatology and ophthalmology. She loves caring for geriatric patients and helping them live longer, more comfortable lives. And of course, she loves seeing new puppies and kittens!

At home, Liz lives with her daughters, Sara and Becca. Sara is an excellent volleyball player and will be heading off to college in a few years. Becca likes fencing and has her eye on Duke University. Liz and the girls have a menagerie of pets: 9 dogs, 6 cats, 2 horses, 2 lizards, a cockatiel, an aviary of parakeets, and the latest rescue, Scarlett the Pig.

Liz has been a certified scuba diver for over 20 years and has been all over the world diving. She also enjoys surfing (although she’s not very good at it!) and mountain biking with her family.

Dr. Cliff Matsuda

Veterinarian

Dr. Matsuda originally intended to get into human medicine, but got a job working at the veterinary department during his schooling at the University of California Davis and got hooked on veterinary medicine. He ended up switching his studies to the animal world and now works as an Associate Veterinarian at Carmel Mountain Ranch.

Dr. Matsuda was born in Denver and raised in Los Angeles. He moved to San Diego 16 years ago to start an emergency care practice for animals, which he sold five years ago.

Dr. Matsuda loves performing C-sections, because of the challenging anesthesia. He also enjoys critical care and feels the stabilizing of critical patients is very rewarding.

At home, Cliff lives with his sons, Tristan, who aspires to be an astrophysicist, and Alex, who wants to be a rock star drummer. Their pets include a cat named Ninja (who thinks he is the family provider), a bearded dragon named Ladon, a parakeet named Tweetie, a tarantula, a scorpion, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

Cliff is a sports-aholic and outdoorsman. His memorable moments include climbing Mt Chimborazo in Ecuador, whitewater kayaking in Colorado, windsurfing in Maui, Ride the Rockies (a 500-mile bike ride), Ultramarathon Rim-Rim-Rim (double-crossing the Grand Canyon), and Full Ironman in Arizona. He also enjoys rock climbing, rollerblading, hockey, tennis, skiing, and snowboarding, to name just a few!

Dr. Jennifer Menghani

Veterinarian

Photo & Bio Coming Soon!

Kayla Miller

Registered Vet Technician

Kayla is a San Diego Native who has a special interest in small mammals, reptiles, and hairless cats. Kayla has 2 children named Ryder and Macenzi. She has 3 dogs: a pit bull name Beau, a Husky named Ember, and a German Shepherd named Reece; 2 cats: a Sphynx named Sexy Rexy and a feral kitty named Jynx; a blue Cayman Iguana name Gertrude Gobble-grapes, and a rescued “Handi-capable” Tortoise named Tuck.

Kayla has been at CMRVH since 2012. She loves how thorough the medicine is and the emphasis on senior screening and dental care. Kayla feels like CMRVH is like her second family and she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

Felicia Chambers

Veterinary Assistant

As far as Felicia can remember, she has always had a passion for animals. Felicia grew up in San Marcos, California with her grandparents, living next to a horse vet. She can remember as a child watching for hours, thinking this is what she was meant to do. The fire to work in this industry grew when she almost lost one of her cats to a blockage and had to have him rushed into surgery. At that moment, she knew this was her calling.

Working at Carmel Mountain Ranch Veterinary Hospital gives Felicia so much joy. She gets the pleasure of working with animals and their humans all at the same time.

Perla Pena

Veterinary Assistant

Never did she think her childhood dream of working with animals was going to come true at a very young age; 22. Having Greisi, as her first rat, made Perla truly realize the love she has for animals. She enjoy the satisfaction of knowing she is saving a life or helping improve it but Perla can’t forget the anesthetic experience she is learning at Carmel Mountain Ranch Veterinary Hospital. Most importantly, if it wasn’t for her significant other and family’s support she wouldn’t have made it to where she is now.

Heather Hotchkiss

Client Care Specialist

A San Diego native, Heather has a strong connection with family, friends, and local events. Animals have always been an important part of her life, and after years in the corporate sector, she sought a way to spend more time helping the furry, feathered, and scaled friends she so adores. Working at Carmel Mountain Ranch Veterinary Hospital, Heather enjoys every opportunity to learn more about the veterinary field, and to connect with coworkers and clients who love these wonderful creatures as much as she does.

Wendy

Client Care Specialist

Born & raised in North San Diego County. Has many family members living near and throughout CA.  Wendy has had a passion for pets since she can remember, getting her first kitten for Christmas as a child. People and pets are truly dear to Wendy who absolutely loves working in the veterinary field. Connecting with pet parents and helping them care for their pets is very rewarding to her. Wendy is committed to a spiritual & physically healthy lifestyle.

Her beloved cat, Ms. M (Mouth), is a very vocal, intelligent, leash and harness trained Siamese Manx. When not working Wendy loves spending time with family, friends, spiritual groups and hanging with Ms. M while on her harness in her beautiful backyard.

Vanessa Ferby

Pet Care Specialist

It was always in Vanessa’s nature to rescue and help animals. She would bring home anything she could find as a child—she says animals defined her childhood, and she always knew they would define her future!

Vanessa was raised in Lakenheath, England, and upstate New York. Her father was a Master Sergeant in the Air Force—growing up on military bases, Vanessa always admired the K-9 security dogs. At first, she considered a career in criminal justice, but then realized she wanted to work with animals so she entered an occupational training program to become a Veterinary Assistant!

At home, Vanessa lives with her husband of 20+ years, Aaron, who is retired from the Navy and enjoys rebuilding and painting sport motorcycles. They have a beautiful daughter named Dominique who Vanessa says is her personal crowning achievement, interest, and favorite hobby. When she does have a spare moment, she likes rollerblading, walking and sightseeing, and catching a movie.

Amanda Gould

Pet Care Specialist

Photo & Bio Coming Soon!