DNVH TEAM
The year before Dr. Johnson graduated from Ohio State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, he rode his motorcycle across the country to experience what life in a constantly warm climate would be like. The moment he reached Southern California, the sun came out and Dr. Johnson realized that he had found the place where he wanted to practice small animal medicine. In 1979, just after graduation ceremonies, Dr. Johnson packed up his car and moved to beautiful Newport Beach. He practiced for a few years in Newport Beach before deciding to start his own veterinary clinic. Dr. Johnson discovered a small hospital on Pacific Coast Highway that was for sale and, in 1982, the bank and Dr. Johnson became the proud owners of Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital. In 1989, Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital had outgrown its building so a new site was located right down the street, where the existing building was designed and built.
Dr. Johnson’s special interest in veterinary medicine is diagnosing tough cases. In order to accomplish this, Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital is equipped with a surgical laser, endoscopes, ultrasound, digital x-ray, digital dental x-ray, and isoflurane/sevoflurane gas anesthesia – the same types of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools that can be found in most modern human hospitals.
When Dr. Johnson is not working at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital, he can be found riding his Irish Sport Horse, Blue. Since first riding in 1999, this has quickly become Dr. Johnson’s favorite hobby. He is most passionate about 3-day eventing, which is the extreme sport of the horse world. It entails show jumping, dressage, and cross-country jumping. Dr. Johnson also enjoys spending time trail riding with his wife, Julie. At home, Dr. Johnson enjoys the companionship, and occasional mishaps, of pet ownership with his own dogs: Noah, Darby, Aislinn and Graham, and his cats, Duo, and Gabrielle.
Dr. Ryan Johnson started her veterinary career working in an animal hospital in San Juan Capistrano at age 11.. As an animal science/pre-vet student, Dr. Ryan Johnson worked on an Arabian farm while attending Cal Poly SLO and played on the college polo team.
Attending the University Of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine she fell in love with delivering calves, attending college hockey games, and skating on natural ice. Dr. Ryan Johnson continued her veterinary education as an intern in large animal surgery and medicine at Virginia Tech. After a few hundred horse colic surgeries and cow c-sections, she returned to California. While working in small animal clinics, Dr. Ryan Johnson pursued her interest in ophthalmology and lasers at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine, Beckman Laser Institute. Along the way, she fell in love with the challenging world of shelter medicine. For several years, Dr. Ryan-Johnson worked as a shelter veterinarian and later as the director of Animal Care Services for Orange County. She also served as President of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association in 2000.
Dr. Ryan Johnson volunteers and consults with shelters and is the current president of the Equine Chapter of the SCVMA. She enjoys advocating for trails and equestrian issues in her role as president of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition. She enjoys riding her horse Alainn dressage and her older horse Beau out on trails with friends and dogs. Dr. Ryan Johnson also proudly serves as the CVMA disaster coordinator for Orange County.
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio Dr. Ryan Lorber always knew he wanted to work with animals. He always had pets including; dogs, cats, a snake, bird, iguana, rabbit, and fish. After taking a job as a veterinary assistant following his freshman year at the University of Cincinnati he knew he wanted to be a veterinarian After graduating from the university of Cincinnati in three years with a bachelors in Biology Dr. Lorber worked a variety of jobs for two years before starting the veterinary program at Iowa State in 2003.
While at Iowa State Dr. Lorber spent a month in South Africa taking a class in wild life medicine. In South Africa Dr. Lorber worked on African wild dogs, monkeys, antelopes, cheetahs and even lions. Iowa taught Dr. Lorber a lot about cold, wet winters and hot humid summers. He knew that after completing his degree in veterinary medicine, he would move to someplace warm and sunny. He followed his dream of pursuing a position at a coastal, California veterinary clinic that practices high quality medicine. Dr. Lorber found Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital, and was impressed with Dr. Johnson, the great staff and the fantastic location. Following graduation in 2007 Dr. Lorber drove out to Southern California with his cat, Rocky.
In his free time, Dr. Lorber enjoys listening to a wide variety of music and attending concerts. He is also an outdoors enthusiast and is already taking advantage of California’s great weather for hiking, biking and exploring his new home stomping grounds. He has a love of the ocean and is learning how to surf. Dr. Lorber is a baseball fan, and attends the Angel’s games to root for the new home team.
Camille Little joined the Dana Niguel team in 2002 as a receptionist. Prior to that, she worked for an equine veterinary practice in San Juan Capistrano for 13 years. As a life-long pet lover and owner, it seemed a natural choice to have a career involving companion animals.
Camille presently shares her home with her Collie, Matty, and four cats: Kelly, Bobbie, Melanie, and JJ. Camille recently adopted JJ, who had been a stray, “teenage” cat in her neighborhood. The girls aren’t sure what to make of him, but Matty likes him. But, then, Matty likes everybody! Rounding out the four-legged family is Camille’s beautiful Arabian mare, Kadie, who is boarded in San Juan Capistrano.
Camille loves all the animals and feels her best therapy is the time she spends caring for her horse. When not working, Camille loves to read and have family dinners with her grown sons, Lance and Eric.
Megan Riebe moved to California from New Mexico in February of 2005 and started working at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital in May of 2005. Sadly, she had to leave her 2-year-old Boston Terrier, Maynard, behind with a loved one. Maynard was like a child to her and she was heartbroken when she had to leave him. This is what led her to working in a field with animals. Megan knows first-hand how great a relationship between an owner and pet can be; and she will always hold a special place in her heart for animals.
Josh Brown is a Registered Veterinary Technician, (RVT) and has worked in the veterinary field since 1997, and at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital since 2004. Josh enjoys dentistry and helping pet owners build the human animal bond that is so special.
His family at home includes a three-year-old son, Tanner, a six-year-old Pug, Leroy, Blue the terrier and three cats. When not working or going to school, Josh enjoys listening to music, running, biking, and gardening.
Erin Fowler began working at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital in May of 2005. She grew up in Dana Point with her parents, sister, two brothers, and all types of pets. She is currently attending Cal Poly Pomona to continue her career in veterinary medicine. Erin’s furry family consists of a Wheaton Terrier named Maggie, a Wire-Hair Fox Terrier named Macy, and a rabbit named Icarus.
Shannon has been working at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital since August of 2005 as both a Kennel Attendant and a Veterinary Technician’s Assistant. Shannon, however, is not new to working in the animal industry. She has been working with animals for many years and has ROP certificates in both Animal Behavior and Veterinary Assistance.
Shannon currently lives with her large furry family. Rory, an Australian Shepherd, is Shannon’s pride and joy. She also has three cats (two Maine Coon cats and one DSH cat) named Cochese, Shadow, and Bailey, as well as many exotics. When Shannon is not at work, she enjoys reading, camping, hiking with Rory, spending time with her animals, and visiting friends.
Marcus Claar has worked at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital since August 2007. His inspiration to work in the vet field occurred while he was administering fluids to his cat ‘Chip.’ Thanks to Marcus’s daily treatment, ‘Chip’ lived an extra two years. Today, Marcus has four family cats in his life, but only has one to call his own ‘baby girl.’ His pride and joy is his eight-week-old girl ‘Bucky’, named after his grandpa ‘Buck’. When he is not brushing out cats, walking dogs, or assisting the doctors and technicians, Marcus enjoys snowboarding, running, bowling, and spending time with friends and family.
Brie Simon joined the DNVH team in 2007. She grew up all over California and Virginia with an array of animals. Brie is attending Cal State Fullerton and is working toward attending Western University to continue her education in Veterinary Medicine.
Brie’s furry family consists of a Yorkie named Teddy and two schnauzers: Chance and Emmy
Rachel was born and raised in Escondido, California. After she graduated from California State University San Marcos with a degree in Psychology, she decided to pursue her dream of working with animals. She continued her education with an Associates degree in Animal Science from Mt. SAC. Shortly after graduation, Rachel took her Registered Veterinary Technician exam and became an R.V.T.
Rachel has a kitty named Madison and looks forward to expanding her pet family when she buys her first home. In her free time, she enjoys water skiing at the river and spending time with her friends and family in the great outdoors.
Jennifer has always had a passion for the care of animals. She started working in a veterinary hospital when she fifteen years old and has been committed to the profession ever since. She began working at Dana Niguel in July of 2008. Jennifer is completing her course work for her Registered Veterinary Technician license and will be a licensed RVT by December 2009. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and many pets, but in particular her boxers, Rawzzi and Moose.
Cary has been taking care of pets that are boarding at Dana Niguel Veterinary Hospital since 2008. When he is not bonding with your pet, he is playing with his own dogs, 15 year old Peanut the Chihuahua, 5 year old Lucy the Maltapoo. Cary is currently studying to be an Registered Veterinary Technician. In his free time he spends his time at the beach surfing and having beach barbecues with friends.
