Gentle Care is now Neighborhood Vet Clinic!

Dr. Dan Fonza, DVM – Medical Director & Veterinarian

Dr. Dan Fonza was born in Illinois but has spent most of his life growing up in Arizona. He has always been passionate about helping animals and pursued his dream of becoming a veterinarian by attending The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 2013. Dr. Fonza’s dedication to his profession is evident in the compassionate care that he provides to all of his patients. Apart from having a strong interest in general dentistry and soft tissue surgeries, Dr. Fonza has been heavily trained in Endoscopy and carries with him 5 years of experience. In addition, he enjoys keeping up-to-date with the latest research and treatments. In addition to his professional work, he loves to spend time with his family and he strives to be a loving father and husband and loves spending time with his wife, two beautiful (and wild) kids and his quirky dog named Maple! Dr. Fonza’s commitment to his patients and love of animals is apparent to all who meet him. He takes great pride in providing top-quality care to all animals in need and is a valued member of the veterinary community.

Dr. Elena Ault, DVM – Veterinarian

Dr. Ault is most recently from Colorado but grew up as a child of all corners of the USA with two parents in the Air Force. She began her veterinary journey while volunteering at her town’s animal shelter and realizing the positive impact that spay/neuter services can have for both animals and animal lovers of a community. She attended Pepperdine University to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in biology and a minor in sustainability while competing on the Women’s Swim and Dive Team. Along the way, she became a puppy raiser for Canine Partners of the Rockies and spent her time investing in the next generation of service dogs. She obtained her DVM from Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and loved sunny Arizona so much that she stayed to complete a rotating small animal internship with focus in emergency medicine and surgery at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic. Interests include surgery and preventative medicine as well as evidence-based natural therapies that work in harmony with her clients’ lifestyles. In her free time, she enjoys tending her citrus and cacti garden, reading novels, hiking and camping with her husband, and cuddling her black Labrador Retriever puppy named Eerie.

Dr. Dean Kile, DVM – Veterinarian

Dr. Dean Kile grew up in a small town in Ohio, and attended the University of Cincinnati as an undergrad and then went to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Shortly after graduating, he and his family moved to Mesa, Arizona and he purchased Aashne Animal Clinic in 1985 (now Neighborhood Vet Clinic). He and his lovely wife have two beautiful daughters and three amazing grandchildren. When he’s not at the clinic caring for your pets, he enjoys reading, golf, and riding his bike. He is a fan of any Jennifer Aniston movie and loves karaoke in Korea Town.

Sue – Hospital Director, CVT

Sue grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of a Biology teacher. Her dad taught her about the natural world and ignited her interest in animals and medicine. Her mother, who was a friend to all, taught her to sing and to love people and their stories. In 1980, she moved to Arizona where the desert, mountains and big blue sky caught her by the heart and she stayed. In 1985 she joined Aashne Animal Clinic (now named Neighborhood Veterinary Clinic) and in 1987 she earned her Certification as an Animal Health Technician. She has been either a technician, manager, or both here ever since. Sue and her husband live right down the road where they hang out with friends, neighbors, kids, grandchildren, dogs and tortoises. Sue loves her job and her coworkers, as well as the chance to improve the health of pets. On the weekends she likes to run, hike, draw, read, kayak and sing “La Bamba”.

Crystal – Lead Veterinary Technician, CVT & Hospital Administrator

This is Crystal! She is an Arizona native, born and raised in Northern Arizona. She has worked in the veterinary field since 2001 and has always had a special connection with animals.  Her gentle touch and ability to sense your pet’s feelings lend her an exceptional skill to understand their emotions and pain threshold.  Crystal knows that the care she gives to your pet will be the best that there is to offer. She is very diligent in keeping up with the newest techniques, medicines, and procedures to best serve your favorite friend.  Crystal loves hiking, camping, fishing, and cooking. Her favorite stores are Bass Pro Shops and R.E.I.  She has an Australian Shepherd / Border Collie mix named Rainey as well as a chihuahua named Penelope Jane, who is the boss of us all.  She hopes to see you soon!!

Alma – Veterinary Technician

Alma was born in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico and was raised in Mesa, Arizona. She obtained her veterinary assistant certificate through EVIT (East Valley Institute of Technology) and had her first internship at Aashne Animal Hospital in 2016. After high school, she went to Arizona State University where she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her certificate in French in May of 2020. Alma is trilingual in English, Spanish, and French! She believes in higher education where she will be pursuing graduate school at Arizona State University in the fall of 2021. She has rescued her two cats, Colette and Madeline, alongside with their dog sister, Fluffy. She loves the people she works with here at Aashne Animal Hospital AKA Neighborhood Vet Clinic, and thinks of her team as family!

Hanna – Veterinary Technician

Hanna was born and raised in Arizona. She has always wanted to work with animals from a young age. She first graduated from EVIT (East Valley Institute of Technology) with her veterinary assistant certification in 2021 and then graduated from Pima Medical Institute with an associate degree in veterinary technology spring of 2022. She is currently working on obtaining her Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credential. She has 7 animals which include: 2 dogs, 2 bearded dragons, 1 ball python, and 1 green iguana. In her free time she likes to read books and spend time with family and friends.

Isabella – Veterinary Technician

Introducing Isabella, a proud Mesa, Arizona native who earned her Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) certification from the East Valley Institute of Technology in 2023. As a valued member of the NVC family, Isabella has proven herself to be invaluable. Outside of her professional pursuits, Isabella is a nature enthusiast who relishes adventures in the wilderness. Her free time is also dedicated to cherished moments with family and friends, accompanied by her three canine companions: Molly, Ella, and Kona. But that’s not all – Isabella’s extended animal family includes 16 birds, 7 chickens, and a guinea pig! Always adorned with a smile, Isabella is committed to ensuring your visit with your pet is a truly memorable experience. Her infectious positivity makes her a delightful addition to our team, and we’re thrilled to have her on board at NVC. Welcome, Isabella!

PHOTO COMING SOON!

Krystal – Veterinary Technician

Krystal was born and raised here in beautiful Arizona. She has always had a deep love and passion for animals. In February of 2019, she decided to take her love for animals seriously and further enrolled at Carrington College where she completed her Veterinary Assisting Certification. She plans on one day enrolling in Mesa Community College Veterinarian Technician Program and becoming a certified vet tech! She has been working with Aashne Animal Clinic (now Neighborhood Vet Clinic) since she completed her certification at Carrington and has enjoyed every second of it! Krystal has a famous cat on Tik Tok named Musette who has over 300,000 followers! Her Tik Tok handle is @Musettetheblepcat. Krystal also has another cat named Luna who was found on the streets near the clinic at only a day old. Krystal then took her in and raised her. She also has a bearded dragon named Gohan (after Dragon Ball Z). Krystal also has a Desert Tortoise named Darwin who lives in her backyard. He is always a joy to see when he is not in hibernation for half of the year.

Maiya – Veterinary Technician & Inventory Manager / Pet Plan Coordinator

This lovely lady’s name is Maiya! She was born in New Mexico, and moved to Arizona when she was 5 years old.  Maiya graduated from Carrington College with a Certificate in Veterinary Assisting in 2020.  She has 3 dogs; 2 Havanese and 1 Border Collie mix.  In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends.  Maiya also enjoys anything crafty.  She can’t wait to meet you and your pets!

Michelle – Veterinary Technician

Michelle is a happy and upbeat member of the team! She loves all creatures, large and small, and holds a special place in her heart for each one of them. She has been helping and caring for animals since she was a small child, therefore working in the veterinary field was a natural choice for her and where she feels most at home. She was born in San Diego, CA and raised all over the western United States, including the beautiful state of Alaska. She is the proud mother of a U.S. Army son. Her best friend is her sweet Australian cattle dog, Roxy and they go everywhere together. Michelle loves the outdoors, camping, hiking and being at one with nature. She looks forward to serving you and your cherished little ones soon!

Robert – Veterinary Technician

Robert was born and raised in Arizona surrounded by animals ranging from cats and dogs, to chickens, ducks, and geese later on. This environment led to an ongoing passion for animals and pursuit of a career involving them, leading him to ASU where he is studying pre-veterinary medicine with aspirations to one day become a veterinarian. In his free time he enjoys playing with his 6 cats and 2 dogs, as well as helping out with the myriad of poultry. In the little time he has left he can be found reading novels.

Holly – Veterinary Technician Assistant

Holly grew up on the Navajo Nation. She has been working in the animal field for 5+ years. Her love for animals came from looking after her grandmother’s farm animals. Holly is currently attending South Mountain Community College and once she has graduated, she will attend ASU. She shares her home with her dog named Buzz and two cats, Chubby and Otoma.

Becca, CVT – Client Services Lead

Becca is a passionate veterinary technician and was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona. She knew she wanted to work with animals from a very young age. She holds a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credential, demonstrating her dedication to providing exceptional care to her animal patients. In addition to her work, Becca loves to spend time traveling and exploring the great outdoors. Becca is known for her kind and empathetic approach to caring for animals, always going the extra mile to ensure their comfort and well-being. She’s a natural problem-solver, with a keen eye for detail and a drive to continually learn and improve her skills. Whether she’s working in the clinic or out on a hike, Becca’s passion for animals and her commitment to their health and happiness shines through everything she does.

Sophia – Customer Care Representative

Sophia is one of our newest customer care representatives that you will meet at our front desk! Sophia joined us this year and has been an amazing addition to the NVC family! Sophia is a sweet and passionate girl born and raised in Arizona. She strives to become a veterinary technician to provide the best care for your fur babies. She has two of her own! A Schnoodle named Rocky and a cat named Chunky Monkey. She enjoys teaching Rocky new tricks and is currently leash training Chunky Monkey. Sophia loves spending time with friends, traveling and trying new things. A new feathered friend will soon be added to her family!

Victoria (Vicki) – Customer Care Representative

Meet Victoria (Vicki), a familiar face at Neighborhood Vet Clinic in Chandler, Arizona. Growing up just down the street from the clinic alongside Aashne, Vicki began her journey here in 2002. Throughout high school and college, she dedicated her time to the clinic and continued even after. After taking a brief hiatus in 2016 to marry her husband, Joe, Victoria rejoined us in 2023.
Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Design Management from ASU, Victoria’s education has proven invaluable over the years. Having spent the last 13 years managing senior living communities, Victoria is no stranger to responsibility. Returning to the clinic, she finds joy in reconnecting with the many cats and dogs that have been a part of her journey.
Outside of work, Victoria treasures moments with her husband and four children, lovingly referred to as “The Bigs and The Littles.” Her furry family members include two cats, Charlie and Toby, a Sulcata tortoise named Marcus, a turkey known as “Issy,” and a multitude of chickens and ducks, with occasional visits from cows and mules. A fan of Dr. Pepper, Chai Tea, and German wines, Victoria also relishes watching movies, exploring new eateries, and embarking on adventures both in Arizona and across the country. We are thrilled to have Vicki back as part of the Neighborhood Vet Clinic family!

PHOTO COMING SOON!

Jeremy – Customer Care Representative

Meet Jeremy, a compassionate member of our team with a deep-rooted passion for animals and people. Hailing from a veterinary-focused family, Jeremy serves as a dedicated Client Service Representative, often being the initial point of contact for our clients. Understanding the potential stress associated with bringing a beloved pet to the vet, Jeremy approaches his role with utmost seriousness. His primary goal is to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for both you and your pet. Whether you have inquiries about your pet’s health, need to schedule an appointment, or simply want to share stories about your furry friend, Jeremy is always ready to assist. Jeremy takes pride in his effective and empathetic communication skills, committing himself to delivering the highest level of customer service. Beyond the clinic, Jeremy finds joy in the company of his own furry family members – three dogs and one cat. His interests extend to a love for cars and all things offroad, constantly seeking out his next adventure.

Count on Jeremy to make your interaction with the clinic positive and stress-free, reflecting his dedication to exceptional customer service and a genuine love for animals!

PHOTO COMING SOON!

X
Contact Neighborhood Veterinary Clinic

Clinic Hours

Mon - Fri 7am-7pm
Sat 7am-5pm
Sun Closed

Book Your Appointment

Review Us on Google