Our Team
Dr Mark Anderson
Born and raised outside Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. Mark Anderson received his veterinary degree from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. Prior to attending veterinary school, however, Dr. Anderson received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University. Dr. Anderson enjoyed working as an engineer in the environmental industry, which provided him with the opportunity to work throughout much of the western United States, including Wyoming, Washington, Utah, Nevada, California, and New Mexico. It was after spending a year working at a wind powered electrical plant in Costa Rica that Dr. Anderson made his way to Australia to fulfill his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Shortly after graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Anderson returned to the United States, quickly establishing deep roots in Southern California and making San Diego his home. Dr. Anderson stays up-to-date on the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of veterinary disease through countless hours of continuing education, and via membership to online boards, which gives him access to guidance from specialists throughout the world whenever the need should arise.
Over the years, Dr. Anderson has developed special interests, knowledge, and skills in soft tissue surgery, hip dysplasia, orthopedic disease, cruciate repair, stem cell therapy, dermatology, pain management, and ultrasound. Dr. Anderson is certified in the PennHIP radiographic procedure, which allows Dr. Anderson the ability to make appropriate recommendation(s) for corrective/preventative actions for dogs at risk of having hip dysplasia. His diagnostic credentials include, among others, certification through Oncura for diagnostic abdominal and cardiac ultrasound. Dr. Anderson is also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, ensuring your feline pet th
e best management and care whether visiting the hospital for a wellness exam, or in the case of illness or injury. As well, he is a credentialed VetStem veterinarian, capable and skilled at applying stem cell therapy. He is also USDA accredited, allowing him to complete international and interstate pet travel health certificates.
One facet of medicine that Dr. Anderson particularly enjoys, is developing practical solutions (non-surgical and surgical) for difficult, unique, and/or chronic cases and problems. Challenge him with your pet’s difficult problems — he looks forward to working with you to provide you and your pet with long term relief!
Dr. Anderson enjoys experiencing the world through the eyes of his hilarious and energetic 6 year old daughter and spending time with his wife. Together the three enjoy surfing, hiking, skiing and spending a lot of time being silly. They share their home with Spencer, a sweet and happy Papillon Chihuahua mix and Emmie, an energetic and loving golden doodle.
Dr. Anderson is excited to meet you and your furry family members!
Dr Ricarda Roberto
Dr. Roberto was born and raised on the small island of Guam, USA.
Her first undergraduate years were spent in Hawaii at Hawaii Pacific University, then transferred to and
graduated from UC Davis in Animal Sciences. She took a year prior to applying to vet school to work for a
Veterinary Behaviorist, which led to small animal behavior being one of her many interests. Dr. Roberto
then moved to Indiana to attend Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Being a very tropical person, Dr. Roberto traded the mid-west’s weather extremes for San Diego’s ideal weather and
proximity to the ocean.
Dr. Roberto’s main focus is developing relationships with pet parents, providing options for care with all
health issues, and practicing gold standard medicine to keep pets happy and comfortable at all stages of
life. She is a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Society of
Animal Behavior, and certified with USDA for international/domestic health certificates. Her special
interests include pain management, behavior, dermatology, dentistry and internal medicine.
Her main interests when not working are traveling internationally, trying new foods and learning about
other cultures. At home in her free time, she enjoys spending time with family or going to the beach
with her husband and German Shepherd Mix, Tyrion. They also have two kitty fur children, Albus and
Lupin.
Dr Ira Abrams
Dr. Abrams grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979, where he was proudly the Valedictorian of his class. Upon graduation, he worked for one year in Chicago and then he migrated to warmer weather in Los Angeles, California. After a year as an associate veterinarian in a small practice, Dr. Abrams moved to San Diego where he did relief veterinary work for several practices. He subsequently bought his own practice in San Marcos, California in 1985. After 21 years, he decided to sell his practice so he could spend more time with his wife and 18-year old son. In his spare time, Dr. Abrams enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with his family.
Sara, Manager/Registered Veterinary Technician 
Sara attended Brown Mackie College where she received an Associates of Science degree in 2014. Sara has been working in the veterinary field since 2011. She moved to San Diego in July of 2017 from Elkhart, Indiana where she grew up. Sara has one dog, a papillon mix named Spencer. Sara enjoys spending time with her family doing various activities including camping, snow boarding, surfing, hiking and rock climbing.
Leslie, Manager/Registered Veterinary Technician
Leslie has been in the veterinary field since 2001 when she started as a kennel assistant. She has worked at multiple practices throughout San Diego and received her RVT credential in 2009. She worked for many years as a RVT, then as practice manager here at BHVH. She left us briefly to pursue a position closer home and her young daughter but found that it was no comparison to the quality care given here at BHVH! In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family camping at the beach or hanging out at the San Diego zoo.
Sandi, Registered Veterinary Technician
Sandi is a native San Diegan who graduated from UCSD with a degree in biology. She started working in the veterinary field in 1990 and received her RVT license in 1994. In her free time, Sandi enjoys reading, skiing, rock climbing, cooking and spending time her family and friends.
Dominique, Registered Veterinary Technician
Dominique aka Dom is a South Florida native. The military took her to many states around the US and landed her in sunny San Diego. She has 3 fur children, 2 dogs and 1 cat. Link is a shiba inu, Ginny is a labradoodle and Mivera is her cat. Dom has 2 human children as well, Ashton and Sofia Beau. Her hobbies include running, getting tattoos and listening to music.
Megan, Lead Registered Veterinary Technician
Megan has been an RVT for 6 years and has been working in the veterinary field for 10 years. She has 2 dogs, Meesha, a Belgian Malinois and Stella, a chihuahua mix. She loves hanging out with family, friends and her pets in her spare time. Her hobbies include paddle boarding at the beach, off-roading, and camping in the desert .
Maria, Registered Veterinary Technician
Maria was born and raised in San Diego. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2015. She loves to eat, eat, eat! She has a dodo bird (chocolate lab), Bellatrix who loves to have the zoomies and get into mild to moderate trouble, two turtles and a toad. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, crafting and making horrible jokes.
Evelyn, Client and Patient Care
Evelyn has been working in the veterinary field for about 3 years now. She recently graduated from CSUSM with a degree in Biology. She is planning on continuing her education and is currently signed up for MCAT prep classes starting in August. She has always had pets and currently has an adorable 2 year old Shiba Inu named Mochi whom she takes everywhere. She spends her free time either doing school work or going out with Mochi hiking, to the beach or out to new restaurants.
AJ, Lead Receptionist
Aj was born in Tijuana and raised in San Diego. She has always had a passion for helping animals and has been in the field since 2008. She went to Pima Institute for both the Vet Assistant and Vet Technician programs. She shares her home with her husband Todd, daughter Kiara as well as her Great Dane "Kong" and her English Bull Terrier "Roxy". She also has 6 chickens and 2 tortoises! She treats all animals as if they were her own and looks forward to helping you with your fur babies.
Savannah, Patient Care
Savannah grew up in Virginia, and after a two-year detour in the Boston/New Hampshire surrounding areas she is now glad to call San Diego her home. Savannah loves people and all their four-legged family members. When she is not at work her hobbies include painting, practicing guitar, watching hockey (GO BRUINS!), reading, yoga, trying new foods, traveling and dog beach days with her four-legged best friend, Jonas. She is currently attending Mira Costa College, finishing her associates degree, and completing her general education courses for CSU transfer. Savannah has been in the animal care industry since 2013. The journey has been rewarding and humbling for her. She cannot wait to meet you and your four-legged family members!
Khaila, Patient Care
Khaila was Born in Hackensack New Jersey and moved to Indiana with her family when she was 12. She went to college in Michigan and moved to San Diego in 2017. She’s been in the veterinary industry on and off for about 4 years now. Her end goal is to be a wildlife veterinarian and she’s currently taking classes to get into vet school. She loves people
and all things furry, scaly and otherwise but has an extra soft spot for her 7 year old pit bull mix, Ginger. Outside of work Khaila loves working out, trying all kinds of new foods, and taking Ginger to see new things, both near and far.
Evan, Patient/Client Care
Evan was born in Riverside, CA and raised in Vista, CA. He started his veterinary medicine career in 2017. Evan has a degree in Psychology/Sociology. He is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and enjoys doing outdoor activities, especially anything to do with bodies of water. Evan does not currently have any pets, but he is the designated "tiny dad" for his best friends pets. Evan loves veterinary medicine and is passionate about animal health. He also enjoys training with exotics such as reptiles, birds and pocket pets.
Sara, Patient Care
Sara is a recent marine biology graduate from UCSD with the goal of becoming a Veterinarian. She always knew she wanted to work with animals and her appreciation for science drove her to this goal. Sara is hoping to attend vet school in the coming years and she is hoping to have the chance to work with marine mammals.
Karie, Patient Care
Karie was born and raised in Los Angeles, but is glad to finally call San Diego home. She attended San Diego Mesa and received an associates degree in Animal Health and Technology. She is married and has a 7 year old daughter who is the light of her life. Karie also has a dog named Marvel who is cuddly and loyal to no end. Karie's hobbies include jewelry making, camping, eating and playing outdoors with her daughter. Karie is a Room Nurse at Bernardo Heights and she hopes to become a Registered Veterinary Technician by the beginning of next year.
Chris Fenner opened Bernardo Heights Veterinary Hospital with Dr. Fenner in 1987, and has filled many roles since then. She grew up in California and Washington and wherever else her father's Navy career took them. She graduated from Ft. Steilicoom College with her degree in Animal Health Technology and has worked in multiple practices and the San Diego Zoo before and during working here. In addition to working here, she is a full-time mother to 14-year old Conor. All of her pets have always been family members to her.
Marilyn (aka Mimi) is our most valuable staff member. She followed a client who was walking her dog home, and came to us because she had found more of a dog person than cat person. She is extremely friendly and happy to be a part of our staff. She rarely does anything bad and she enjoys moving from place to place to find a comfortable spot. Her hobbies are sleeping, eating, and playing with toys. If you look closely, you will see that her eyes move independently of one another.
It is with a heavy heart that we notify our client families of Bernardo Heights Veterinary Hospital that our founder and friend Dr Paul Fenner lost his long time battle with Melanoma cancer over Labor Day weekend (2015). He passed away at his home with his wife Chris and son Conor by his side. The staff here at Bernardo Heights will miss his smile and sense of humor the most. He enjoyed caring for all of you and your beloved pets over his 28 year career here at our hospital. Sympathy cards can be sent to the hospital and we will pass them along to his family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the animal rescue of your choice. In July, Dr Fenner selected Dr Anderson as practice owner to look over your beloved pets as he did. Dr Anderson, Dr Abrams, and the entire staff here at Bernardo Heights aspire to make Dr Fenner proud by continuing his compassionate approach to veterinary medicine.
