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, stem cell therapy, dermatology, and pain management. Dr. Anderson is certified in the PennHIP radiographic procedure (a technique to accurately predict which young dogs will later develop hip dysplasia), which allows Dr. Anderson the ability to make appropriate recommendation(s) for corrective/preventative actions for dogs at risk of this disease. Dr. Anderson is also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, ensuring your feline pet the 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.
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 your pet with long term relief!
Dr. Anderson enjoys experiencing the world through the eyes of his hilarious and energetic 2 year old daughter. They both share their home with their two dogs - Oliver, a goofy four year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix rescue, and Vela, a sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix that Dr. Anderson rescued 14 years ago when he was working in Costa Rica.
As the new owner of the Bernardo Heights Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Anderson is excited to join the amazing BHVH team, and to meet you and your family of pets!
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. He also enjoys spending time with his Lab mix, Bart, and his cats, Sabrina and Charly.
Leslie, Office Manager, Registered Veterinary Technician
Leslie has been working with animals since she started as a kennel assistant in 2001. She received her RVT credential in September 2009 after finishing the alternate route program at Mesa College. She continually increases her knowledge of the field by attending veterinary lectures and seminars. She has worked at various clinics in San Diego and Los Angeles where she is originally from. She has three pets; two cats, "Stash " and "Bonsai", and a yellow Lab, "Mo", all of which she rescued. She enjoys spending her time at home with her husband as well as traveling abroad.
Chris Fenner, Hospital Administrator, Registered Veterinary Technician
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.
Steven, Lead Technician, Registered Veterinary Technician
Steven is a RVT that has been in the field since 2009. He is a Pima Medical Institute graduate from Colorado Springs and moved to California in 2013. He has a busy home life with an amazing wife and five kids. Also at home are two dogs, a maltese named Cerenia and a pug named Apo. When he has free time Steven enjoys practicing and teaching yoga and spending time at the beach with the family.
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 credential in 1994. In her free time she enjoys reading, skiing, rock climbing, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
Davida, Registered Veterinary Technician
Davida has been working in the veterinary field for over 20 years. She has special interests in pet behavior, puppy socialization and alternative medicine. Her 4-legged children include Hunter, a flat coated retriever, German Shepard Watson and 26 year old tortoise Olive. Her free time is spent practicing Judo and Jujitsu as well as gardening and flower arranging.
Liz, Registered Veterinary Technician
Liz has been an RVT for 6 years and has been working in the veterinary field for 15 years.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associates degree in Animal Science from Hartnell College (Salinas, CA) in June , 2010. She passed her state board exam and became an RVT in October of 2010. She has two animal kids at home; a wiener dog named Peter and an orange cat named Leonard.
They are best friends and rough house daily. She also has a two-year-old son named Henry and is grateful to be a full time mom and part time RVT. Her love for animals started at a young age and will continue into her old age.
Amber, Client and Patient Care
Amber started veterinary assistant school in 2014 and had her first job in the veterinary field with Dr Anderson at a previous practice. She has a German shepherd mix named Piper who has recently become her service dog and an adorable orange tabby named Schmidt. On her free time she likes being outside hiking and surfing. She enjoys her job because she gets to help preserve the special bond between owners and their beloved pets.
Kim, Client and Patient Care
Kim began her animal career in her home state of Massachusetts graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Biology. She began working in the field of wildlife rehabilitation and then moved to San Diego to work with endangered species for the San Diego Zoo. After turning her sights toward domestic animals she spent several years working as a medical assistant at the San Diego Humane Society and the Helen Woodward Animal Center. In 2013 she received her certification in veterinary assisting. Kim has three animal kids: a Lhasa-Poo named Teddy, Bebs the bunny and Scamp the cat.
Conor Fenner, Consultant
Conor Fenner is Dr. Fenner's 14-year old son. He works very hard at assisting the other team members and making sure that our patients have a boy to play with when necessary. He plans to become a veterinarian in 2024.
Marilyn Fenner, Hospital Cat
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.
In Memory of Dr Paul N Fenner
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.
