Exciting News from Advanced Veterinary Care of San Elijo
We are excited to share some exciting yet bittersweet news about San Elijo Hills’ first community veterinary clinic. After serving our community since 2015, Dr. Sunshine Riehl and Dr. Paula Thomas have stepped down as owners of Advanced Veterinary Care of San Elijo. While their departure is bittersweet, they are excited to be passing the torch to the hospital’s new owners, Dr. Caitlin Sacco and Lena Schjelvan, RVT.
Dr. Sacco and Lena are committed to continuing AVC’s mission to bring high-quality, compassionate veterinary care to the companion animals and loving owners of San Elijo Hills and beyond. They bring a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives, and a shared passion for animal health.
Meet Dr. Caitlin Sacco
Dr. Sacco, AVC’s newest veterinarian and Medical Director, is an experienced veterinarian with a deep love for animals. Her extensive experience in both veterinary emergency and general practice will enhance our services and ensure your pets receive the best care. Learn more about her here.
Meet Lena Schjelvan, RVT
Lena, with her extensive experience in veterinary practice management, provides seamless, friendly, and supportive service for both pets and their devoted owners. Like Dr. Sacco, Lena is a passionate animal love dedicated to providing exceptional care AVC’s clients and patients.
New Services
In addition to the excellent veterinary medicine clients have come to expect from Advanced Veterinary Care, we are excited to offer some new services to our clients:
In-Hospital Abdominal Ultrasound:
Starting in July, we will be able to offer abdominal ultrasounds performed quickly and easily in-hospital. These scans, review remotely by board-certified specialists, can be essential diagnostics for a wide variety of conditions. Additionally, they can often be performed same-day without the time delay and cost associated with referral to a veterinary specialty center.
In Hospital Cardiology Assessments:
Also starting in July, we will be able to offer comprehensive cardiology workups in hospital. These packages include Blood Pressure, EKG, and an Echocardiogram reviewed remotely by a board-certified specialist. Like our new In Hospital Ultrasounds, this allows us to perform these assessments without having to refer patients out to specialty centers.
Daytime Emergencies:
We are also excited to remind clients that we are often able to welcome daytime emergencies to our clinic. Basic emergencies such as lacerations, bee stings, toxin ingestion, sudden-onset pain, lethargy, or inappetence, and even rattlesnake bites can very often be cared for at our hospital, where we know your pets best! When possible, we encourage owners to call ahead so that we can make recommendations and prepare for your pet’s arrival!
Continuity of Care
We understand that changes in ownership can be concerning, but rest assured, the quality of care and personal attention you and your pets receive will remain our top priority. Dr. Sacco and Lena are eager to meet each of you and uphold the high standards our clients have come to expect from us.
As new owners of this wonderful hospital, Dr. Sacco and Lena express their heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Riehl and Thomas for their years of dedication. Their hard work has built a strong foundation that Dr. Sacco and Lena will honor and build upon. We invite you to visit the clinic, meet the new owners, and learn more about the exciting future of AVC. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
Thank you for your continued trust and loyalty. We look forward to serving you and your beloved pets under the new leadership!
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Advanced Veterinary Care of San Elijo
1691 Melrose Dr. Suite # 110
San Marcos, CA 92078
760-736-3636
