DRAKE CENTER - Key Persons

Dr. Heather Kovacevich (Kovac) received her doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Illinois in 2004. She worked at a small animal hospital in North Carolina for seven years before moving back to Southern California, where she was born and raised. She joined the veterinary staff at The Drake Center in 2011. Dr. Kovac is also certified in using Fear Free methods in order to reduce stress and anxiety triggers in patients. She is also the Cat Friendly Practice liaison for our hospital. Dr. Kovac writes a monthly blog for our website called Dr. K's Case of the Month which highlights interesting cases for client education.

Dr. Janice Lee received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UC Davis in 2020. Upon graduating, she completed an internship at VCA Emergency and Animal Hospital and Referral Center in San Diego, where she gained valuable experience in emergency and critical care prior to finding a better fit in general practice. Dr. Lee believes strongly in communicating closely with owners and working as a team to meet the specific needs of their pets, who represent such important parts of the family. She has a special interest in cytology and how looking under a microscope can give us so much information about a patient's well-being, from how to best treat skin disease to catching more malignant disease processes early. When she is not at the Drake Center, Dr. Lee spends her time reading, writing, taking her telescope on road trips to state and national parks, climbing, crocheting, and supporting local breweries. She enjoys the company of her genetically ambiguous terrier mix rescue, Banjo, and his bearded dragon, Gimli.

Dr. Kathy Boehme received her doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Florida in 1989. She completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York and worked for a large practice in Washington, D.C., for six years before joining Westlake Veterinary Hospital in 1996 and becoming a partner of The Drake Center in 1998. She is passionate about the vital role humans and pets play in each others lives both for physical and mental wellbeing and has become a certified Human Animal Bond veterinarian. Dr. Boehme has also been certified in veterinary Chinese herbal medicine (CVCHM) by the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and has received training in food therapy from Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and by the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) . She believes in an integrative approach to health and has a special interest in empowering people to optimize their pets long term health and well being through personalized recommendations. In addition to traditional appointments, Dr. Boehme provides one hour appointments in which she will take a deep dive into the prevention of chronic disease or the slowing of progression if conditions already exist. Additional information on these visits can be found here. Dr. Boehme is happily married and the mother of two boys. The family also has two dogs, Denali and Kodi. She enjoys hiking, camping, vegetable gardening, and making jewelry.

Dr. Katie Tiglio received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Western University in 2014. In the following years, she completed a rotating small animal internship at San Diego's Veterinary Specialty Hospital, and an additional specialty internship in ophthalmology. Dr. Tiglio has been enjoying general practice in San Diego before joining the Drake Center in 2021. She has a special interest in ophthalmology and is certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Tiglio can be found running around with her little girl, along with her husband John and three kitties. She also enjoys baking, painting, and crafting with her daughter.

Dr. Keala Shotwell received her doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from Colorado State University in 1997 before joining the Drake Center the following year. Her special interests are soft tissue surgery, dentistry and dermatology. She is also certified in veterinary acupuncture (CVA) from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVS). Dr. Shotwell is married and the mother of a teenage daughter. The family has a dog, Dallas, a cat, Smidge, a bunny, Bandit, and a horse named Lipton. In her spare time, Dr. Shotwell enjoys yard projects and crafting. She has a special interest in dressage. She takes weekly riding lessons and even shows periodically. Dr. Shotwell was born and raised in Hawaii and tries to go back often to see her family.

Dr. Kristi Leslie received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at Western University of Health Sciences in 2022. She joined the veterinary staff at the Drake Center for Veterinary Care in June of that same year. Dr. Leslie strives to provide the highest quality care for her patients and to build lasting relationships with them and their families. She enjoys working closely with families to provide compassionate and individualized care so their beloved companion's overall health is at its best. With her special interest lying in behavioral medicine, Dr. Leslie integrates her deeper understanding of animal behavior with her veterinary experience to provide comprehensive care to each patient. Dr. Leslie is a proud cat mom to Nali, a one-eyed black domestic shorthair, who she rescued during vet school. Dr. Leslie grew up with dogs, and has a known soft spot for Golden Retrievers. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, going to the beach, or catching up on the latest binge-worthy show.

Dr. Michele Drake had wanted to be a veterinarian since she was a little girl. She had Schnauzers while growing up and loved all animals. Dr.

Dr. Sarah Dilworth received her doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from the University of California, Davis in 2012.

Dr. Hamlet joined the Drake Center in 2002. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, and completed a Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Science from Cornell University. She grew up riding horses, participating in 4-H, and working with small animal veterinarians. Upon starting at the Drake Center, she gained a lot of surgical experience and helped to develop our standards for dental procedures and dental radiography. Dr. Hamlet recently completed an intensive course in abdominal ultrasound and is excited to add this helpful modality to the services offered at the Drake Center. She has special interest in surgery and ultrasound. Dr. Hamlet lives with her husband and their two dogs, Cece, a dachshund-chihuahua mix, and Lulu, a black lab. Outside her time at the Drake Center, Dr. Hamlet trains and competes in triathlons. She has completed 8 full Ironmans and 12 half Ironmans. She also enjoys spending time at the beach (especially in Hawaii), and pampering her dogs.

Growing up in a Navy family Dr Dowd was fortunate enough to have her father, naval aviator, and mother navy nurse retire in San Diego. She attended her last two years of high school at Bonita Vista, undergrad at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduated in 1989 from UC Davis with her degree in veterinary medicine Dr Dowd loves preventative medicine, dermatology, problem solving, behavior and soft tissue surgery. She has been practicing in San Diego for over 20 years. She has a 9 year old standard poodle, Walter Her special interests include wildlife, landscape and sports photography. As a long time endurance athlete, she combines her passion for sports and medicine as acting National Medical Director for Race Guards, a company that provides in race First Aid/CPR for local and national endurance everts. You can see her in action at www.RaceGuards.org

Dr. Madison VanWorth received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin in 2020. Prior to joining The Drake Center team, Dr. VanWorth completed an internship at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center in San Diego.

Dr. Borsack received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Melbourne in 2015. She worked at All Creatures on Hoddle, a general practice in Melbourne, Australia. She joined The Drake Center for Veterinary Care in February of 2016. Dr.