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

CSR & 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.

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.

“Chilly"

Chilly is our cockatiel that was abandoned on our doorstep in January 2003. He’s quite lively, and will sing The Andy Griffith Tune and say Pretty Bird, on his terms of course!

Burnie

Burnie came to us in November 2018, as a victim of the Camp Fire. His paws, face, and back were burned. Within one week of having him here, it became quite clear that he fit right in, and he became part of our family.