Dr. Monica Muriello
Dr. Monica was raised in La Crescenta, CA and completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Cal Poly Pomona. She graduated from UC Davis in 2014 and completed a small animal internship at VCA Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic in 2015. She is experienced in emergencies, internal medicine, surgeries and general small animal medicine. Dr. Monica is very personable and anxious to emphasize general veterinary care for a better work/life balance. She has a true passion and love for animals and enjoys getting to know her clients and their pets. Dr. Monica lives locally and has a young family, husband and of course many pets. She enjoys hiking with her family, travelling with her husband and taking long walks and bike rides around her community.
Dr. Kim Padilla
Dr. Kim Padilla grew up in Southern California and earned her degree in veterinary medicine at UC Davis. After graduation, Dr. Padilla completed a rigorous medical and surgical internship at California Veterinary Specialists in Southern California. Since then she has worked in the Sacramento area and has experience in emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, management, and teaching. She has a special interest in surgery, preventive care, and emergency medicine. She also volunteers at the UC Davis veterinary school as a communication skills mentor and loves working with the students. Dr. Padilla enjoys working with her clients to help their pets thrive in every phase of their lives, from wiggly puppies and kittens to gray-muzzled life-long companions. Our pets deserve the best from their early years to their golden years!
Outside of work, Dr. Padilla spends time with her family, their dog Buster, and cat Cheddar (aka Sir Cheddar Pouncington). They can usually be found exploring, eating fun food, or dancing like no one’s watching.
Dr. Kara Johnson
Dr. Kara Johnson was raised in Indiana and received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University. She attended Veterinary School at Ross University in St. Kitts and finished her clinical year at Auburn University in 2020. Dr. Johnson moved to California in 2021 and worked at Banfield Pet Hospital for over a year before joining the team at Sunset Whitney. She is passionate about educating clients on preventative care and treats every pet as if they were her own. While Dr. Johnson is enjoying the numerous activities the West Coast has to offer, she still stays true to her Midwest roots. On weekends, you may find her on the couch with her four pets watching college sports.
Angie
Hospital Manager & Registered Veterinary Technician
Angie’s family has been clients here from the beginning (1981) and we have watched her grow up. You could say we groomed her for her job. In actuality it is her natural talent and sense of humor that make her so valuable. She has been with us since 1996. She is Chief Hospital & Office Manager, as well as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Angie currently has a saltwater aquarium. Angie loves to go to the ocean, take hikes, go camping, and spend time with her family and life partner, Paul.
Karen
Registered Veterinary Technician
Karen was lucky enough to land her first job in veterinary medicine as a teenager. Following her passion in caring for pets, she has dedicated her professional career as an advocate for her patient’s comfort and health ever since!
During college and after graduating from CRC, where she acquired her RVT licensing, she has worked in small animal practices and is also a certified Fear Free professional.
Karen’s shares her home in the foothills with her daughter, 3 cats and 1 dog so there’s always fur and fun all around.
She’s looking forward to meeting each of you and caring for your pets now that’s she is on the wonderful team here at Sunset Whitney Veterinary Hospital!
Janet
Veterinary Assistant
Janet has been here since July 2017 and comes from many years of experience in the veterinary field. Her journey began in 1984 as a ROP student studying Animal Science. She soon realized that her true passion and purpose in life was to help care for animals. Janet enjoys the outdoors, and is a mother of two adult children, and grandmother of three girls. She has two cats, Scooter and Cow, and a yellow lab, Riley. She is also a “part time” mommy to our hospital cat, Burnie.
Jesse
Registered Veterinary Technician
Jesse knew he wanted to work with animals at an early age, but life decided to take its own course. First as an Airforce firefighter then as a father who took any opportunity that came his way. Finally, he took things into his own hands and followed his dream, earning his degree and becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. When not working Jesse can usually be found in the kitchen or reading a comic book surrounded by his many cats and dogs.
Emily
Veterinary Assistant
Since she was a kid, Emily has been around animals. Growing up on property with llamas, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, ducks, and cats oh my! She did 4-H for nearly 10 years, first starting with showing pygmy goats then moving on to raising and showing pigs. She’s been hooked on animals and animal care ever since!
From a young age, she knew that she wanted to work in the animal field. Once she was old enough, she got a job at a veterinary hospital and started working to get her RVT degree online.
Pam
Receptionist
After many years as a dispatcher, Pam decided to pursue a career in veterinary work. She has always loved working with dogs and cats. Currently, she is finishing a certificate in grooming and will go on to pursue becoming a veterinary assistant next. In her spare time, she loves reading, crafting with her cri-cut, gardening, baking, and spending time with her husband, James. They have two dogs – Jack and Lucky, as well as three cats – Sophia, Posey, and ‘Ol Man Blue.