Our Team
You’re in good hands

Peter Bowie, DVM

Dr. Peter Bowie graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, where he won numerous academic awards for emergency and critical care medicine, leadership, and service. He continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania with an internship in Emergency and Specialty Medicine and Surgery. In 2000 Peter joined PESCM as a staff emergency clinician and in 2006 he became an owner in the practice. Peter has practiced exclusively emergency and critical care medicine for the past six years and been a member of the International Veterinary and Emergency Critical Care Society since 1997. He and his wife Christina (an actress and animal lover) live in Petaluma with two children, their two dogs, several cats, several horses and a gaggle of chickens. Peter’s professional interests are focused on emergency/critical care medicine, and supporting the veterinary community. He is the past-President of the Marin County Veterinary Medical Association. In his free time, he enjoys viticulture, cooking, music, and anything outdoors.

Elisa Bowyer, DVM

Dr. Elisa Bowyer grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and received a B.S. in Zoology from UC Davis in 1998. She then spent several years working as an RVT in both general and emergency medicine. It was during this time that she fell in love with emergency medicine. She returned to UC Davis and completed her veterinary degree in 2007. After graduation, Dr. Bowyer spent a year at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Mass, where she completed a challenging internship with a strong emphasis on emergency medicine. She then escaped the snowy New England winter to return to sunny California, and is proud to have joined the PESCM team in Oct 2008. In her spare time, Dr. Bowyer enjoys climbing, swing dancing, reading, cooking, hiking.

Jim Clark, DVM, MBA

Dr. Jim Clark grew up in Marin County before receiving his undergraduate and veterinary degrees from U.C. Davis. After graduating in 1988 he worked in small animal general practice for five years. In 1993 Jim opened an emergency/specialty referral hospital in San Diego and also taught anatomy, surgery, and anesthesia at San Diego Mesa College in an RVT program. In 1998, Jim and his partner Dr. Steve Dana opened the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of Marin (PESCM). In 2002 Jim earned an MBA degree from the San Diego State School of Business Administration prior to relocating his family to Marin County. Jim has worked as an emergency clinician for more than 18 years and completed a fellowship in emergency and critical care medicine at U.C. Davis. In 2008 he joined the board of the Marin Humane Society and in 2010 the board of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society. He is past-president of the Marin County Veterinary Medical Association and is active with the California Veterinary Medical Association. Jim currently works as an emergency clinician at PESCM, teaches part-time at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and assists in the management of several emergency practices. His primary professional interests are in emergency and critical care medicine, teaching, and practice management. Jim and his family live in Novato with their four dogs and two cats. In his free time Jim enjoys hiking, volunteer work, reading, sea kayaking, meditation, and skiing.

Steve Dana, DVM

Originally from Orange County California, Dr. Steven Dana has been active in emergency medicine for nearly 40 years since assisting in the establishment of an emergency hospital in Santa Barbara and becoming a Registered Animal Health Technician. Steve attended both U.C. Santa Barbara and U.C. Davis, completing an undergraduate degree in Animal Physiology in 1984. He graduated from the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988; afterwards, Steve completed a postgraduate internship in Emergency Medicine and Surgery at the Sacramento Animal Medical Group. He has been a visiting lecturer and consultant in his fields of interest including Management, Anesthesia and Critical Care in California and New Zealand.Dr. Dana founded the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center of Marin in 1998 with partner Dr. Jim Clark and has been Managing Medical Director during the practice's growth which now enjoys a staff of nearly 50 including Diplomats in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency and Critical Care, Oncology and Radiology. Steve and his wife Lori (a skilled RVT) live in Mill Valley with their Jack Russell Terrier "Petey." When not in clinics, Steve standup paddleboards, open water swims when not in the pool, or might be found on his sailboat Pacific Wind somewhere between Mexico and British Columbia.

Kara Harpham, DVM

Dr. Kara Harpham received a BS in biology from CSU, Sacramento prior to attending UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2006. After veterinary school, she completed a one-year rotating internship at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists where she developed an interest in emergency medicine. Kara joined the team at PESCM in 2007. Kara has always had a strong interest in animal welfare; outside of the ER, Kara works with the Spay/Neuter Impact Coalition (SNIP), running quarterly spay/neuter clinics for feral cats in Martinez.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kara returned to the Bay Area after veterinary school. Kara's family includes her husband (also a veterinarian), two dogs named Joey and Sadie who are enthusiastic hikers, and a small herd of cats. Kara's interests include hiking, trail running, road and mountain biking, various snow sports, sea kayaking, traveling, and cooking with her husband.

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Susan Ostapak, DVM

Dr. Susan Ostapak attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, in Saskatchewan Canada. Upon completion of her studies, she moved to San Francisco and has been working in emergency medicine since that time and at PESCM since 2004. During the 2005-2006 academic year Susan completed a fellowship in emergency and critical care medicine at U.C. Davis.

Carla Robin, DVM

Dr. Carla Robin earned her D.V.M. degree from U.C. Davis in 2006 after completing undergraduate studies at both U.C. Riverside and U.C. Davis. Carla has a strong and diverse background in the veterinary field, having worked with both small and large animals, as well as in a research setting.

Chris Rodi, DVM

Dr. Christopher Rodi attended veterinary school at U.C. Davis, graduating in 1993. In search of advanced training, he then completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship at Cornell University before going into private small animal practice. Over the years Chris has worked in a number of busy multi-doctor day and emergency practices as a staff veterinarian and hospital administrator. In 2000 he became certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine and feline medicine. Since 2000 Chris has practiced exclusively in the emergency and critical care field. He and his wife (also a veterinarian) relocated their family to Marin in 2003. They now live in Novato with their two sons and two Boxers. Chris assists in managing several emergency practices as well as working as an emergency clinician at PESCM. Chris’ primary professional interests are in emergency and critical care medicine, practice management, and staff development. In his free time Chris enjoys running, woodworking, sailing, hiking, home improvement, and playing with his sons.

Holly Thompson, DVM,

Dr. Holly Thompson, a Massachusetts native, graduated from Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Upon graduation she completed an internship in Boston at the Angell Animal Medical Center. Following that year, she did an additional internship focused in emergency and critical care at Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Center north of Boston. Dr. Thompson has just completed her residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. Dr. Thompson enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, photography, creative writing and reading in her spare time.

Specialists

Some say that veterinary specialists are “gluttons for punishment.” After earning an undergraduate college degree and then completing four years of veterinary school, these doctors elect to continue their training, typically attending a one-year internship program under the supervision of experienced veterinarians and then completing a rigorous two or three year advanced training program in a specific area of interest, such as surgery, internal medicine, emergency and critical care medicine, oncology, etc. Finally, these individuals must pass a comprehensive examination ensuring their competency in a given discipline to become “board certified.” Our specialists offer you and your pet the most current and comprehensive care available. Their goal is to improve the quality of life of every patient they treat.

For more information on the specialist colleges represented at PESCM, please follow these links:

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons

The American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care

The American College of Veterinary Dermatology

Marcella Harb-Hauser, DVM, DACVIM

Dr. Marcella Harb-Hauser was born in Northern California and has spent most of her life in this area. She earned a B.S. in Animal Physiology in 1988 and received her veterinary degree from U.C. Davis in 1992. Dr. Harb-Hauser then completed a one-year internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York and a three-year residency in Internal Medicine at U.C. Davis before successfully completing a rigorous credentialing and examination process to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In 1996 she left academia and joined a specialty practice in Santa Rosa, where she worked for eight years prior to joining our hospital in 2004. Dr. Harb-Hauser has published a number of articles related to internal medicine and enjoys all aspects of this diverse field. She has a strong compassion for people and pets, as well as a love for science and medicine. Her goal as an internist is to provide the best possible care for each pet while at the same time recognizing the unique needs of each of her clients. Dr. Harb-Hauser and her husband live in San Rafael with their two wonderful children, two elderly dogs, and one crazy cat. In her (limited) spare time you may find her running, embroidering, singing, or volunteering at her children’s school and church.

Jennifer Kaae, VMD, DACVIM

Dr. Jennifer Kaae completed her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. She then pursued a one year small animal medicine and surgery internship at Cornell University and a three year residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin. She completed the requirements for credentialing as a specialist in internal medicine and is certified as a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. After finishing her residency program in Madison, Wisconsin, she returned to Northern California with her Weimaraner. She now lives in San Rafael with her husband. Jennifer is a native Californian, previously working in San Francisco as an editor at a legal magazine before pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. When not working as an internist, she enjoys horseback riding.

Cheri Nielsen, DVM, MS, DACVS

Dr. Cheri Nielsen earned an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering with a minor in applied mathematics. It wasn't until her second year of medical school at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, when her own dog needed the services of a surgical specialist, that she became aware of veterinary surgery as a career option. This opened the door to a life-changing decision; she left Johns Hopkins to pursue a veterinary career. Dr. Nielsen earned her DVM degree at UC Davis while concurrently completing an MS degree in biomedical engineering then continued on to a one-year clinical internship at Colorado State University. She completed a three-year surgical residency at the University of Minnesota and successfully fulfilled the credentialing and examination requirements to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in small animal surgery. Dr. Nielsen has been providing innovative and compassionate surgical care at the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of Marin since 2006. Patient comfort is a top priority for our surgical patients, and Dr. Nielsen feels fortunate to work with such a skilled nursing staff round the clock at PESCM! She loves all type of surgery but has a particular passion for minimally invasive procedures utilizing laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. She and Andrew (also a veterinarian) live in Marin with their Great Dane Sula and Nigel, a three-legged cat who came to them by way of the Marin Humane Society. Dr. Nielsen is a regular bicycle commuter and loves all types of active or outdoor pursuits. Close to home she enjoys hiking, running, swimming, gardening, and food, but her favorite outdoor activity is backcountry backpacking in the Sierras and beyond.

Sharon Gottfried, VMD, DACVS

Dr. Sharon Gottfried attended the University of Michigan for her undergrad work and then Harvard University for premedical coursework. She's a University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School graduate who completed an internship at Animal Medical Center in NYC and residency in Pennsylvania and the Bay Area. After that she went to VSA/SAGE, where she practiced until 2011. Sharon enjoys enjoy all facets of veterinary surgery but in particular: skin surgery, polytrauma, greyhound track injuries (and other greyhound surgery), and oncologic surgery. Sharon, her husband and their many pets live in Mill Valley. In her spare time Sharon is a member of the National Veterinary Response Team. She also enjoys surfing, yoga, bicycling and tai chi.

Aarti Sabhlok, DVM

Dr. Aarti Sabhlok was born in Columbus, Ohio and since then has lived in Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and finally California - first Los Angeles, and now San Francisco. She graduated from Cornell University in 1995. Dr. Sabhlok went on to continue her veterinary training at Ross University, finishing up her clinical year at Louisiana State University. Upon graduation, she completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Akron, Ohio. She completed her residency in medical oncology at Animal Specialty Group with Veterinary Oncology, Inc. where she was trained extensively in both medical and radiation oncology. When not working, she enjoys cooking, reading, volleyball and traveling.

Nicole Eckholm, DVM, DACVD

Dr. Nicole Eckholm is a 2006 graduate of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. After completing veterinary school Dr. Eckholm worked in general practice and shelter medicine in the Washington DC area for three years. She completed her residency in veterinary dermatology at the University of California, Davis in 2011 and became board certified in 2012. As part of a military family, Dr. Eckholm has moved often over the years, but after three stops in Northern California, she and her family have finally decided to make it their permanent home. Dr. Eckholm became interested in Dermatology while working on her Master's degree in Microbiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Her interest grew while working in general practice and shelter medicine, as she found skin disease to be frustrating and hard to manage for owners and veterinarians alike. As a specialist she focuses on ways to improve the quality of life for pets suffering from an infectious, allergic or autoimmune skin disease. She values the strong client-patient-veterinarian relationship that is so critical to the long term care and management of her patients. In her free time she is actively involved in helping animals in need. She is married, has two children, three rescue dogs (2 allergic), and a cat of her own.

Nursing Care Team

Veterinary nurses (also called “technicians”) play a vital role in the care, safety, and comfort of every hospitalized patient. As in a human hospital, these skilled professionals interface closely with patients and doctors, ensuring that each patient receives expert attention around the clock. Our hospital has a number of “registered” technicians on staff. These nurses have completed a rigorous course of study and passed a lengthy and challenging examination to prove their competency in the field. We are very proud of the team of caring and highly-skilled veterinary nurses on our staff; we believe they provide the finest level of care available.

Client Service Team

Our skilled and compassionate client service team understands the challenges of caring for a sick or injured pet. These talented individuals have elected to work in the veterinary field because they, too, are “animal lovers.” Their goal is to help you and your pet through a difficult time by providing consistently friendly and efficient service.

Leadership Team

Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of Marin was founded in 1998 by Drs. Jim Clark and Steve Dana, both experienced emergency clinicians with a passion for providing top notch patient care and client service. Since that time Drs. Peter Bowie and Chris Rodi, also seasoned emergency clinicians, have joined as fellow-owners. All four doctors are actively involved in the leadership of the practice.

	Mary Ann Cuseo serves as our hospital’s Administrative Manager, overseeing day-to-day business operations of the entire practice. Mary Ann is both an experienced business professional as well as an animal lover.		Monika Pumberger, RVT serves as the Emergency Service Nursing Manager, overseeing a team of skilled nurses providing emergency care. Monika has many years of experience as a veterinary technician and has pursued advanced training in the emergency and critical care field.
	After completing an Animal Health Technician program, Lori Dana, our nursing manager, passed her California State Board exam, and moved to Marin where she worked for a number of years at a general practice hospital before joining her husband in 1998 at The Pet Emergency & Specialty Center. Along with the help of so many great staff members over the years, Lori has worked to build a great veterinary hospital for Marin County. She is very proud to continue to be apart of our newly remodeled multi-specialty hospital that continues to provide the best quality of veterinary medicine in the Bay Area.		If you've visited our practice in the last six years, you've probably met Michelle Williams, our client service manager. Michelle has been in the veterinary field since 2001, working at an East Bay emergency practice before joining us in 2007. Michelle began as a Client Service Representative working in the evening and over time transitioned to working during the day. She became our Client Service Manager last year, but she still spends most of her time greeting and caring for our clients. Michelle was born and raised in the Bay Area, and when she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with her 13 1/2 year-old Jack Russell Terrier Mix, "Mia."
			Mark Davis is our Hospital Administrator. He has managed several veterinary practices over the last twenty years, both specialty/ emergency and general medicine practices. Mark is a graduate of the Veterinary Management Institute at Purdue University. He was born and raised in the Monterey Bay area, and as a teenager raised three dogs (Herbie, Zeke and Nord) for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

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