PISMO BEACH VETERINARY CLINIC - Key Persons
Dr. Flores was born and raised in San Pablo, California. Her love of veterinary medicine started at a young age when she would watch countless hours of Animal Planet in the morning while eating breakfast before school, especially her favorite, Emergency Vets. She went on to study at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and would meet her future husband, Pedro. Then she travelled across the pond to veterinary school at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pedro was already working in the central coast, and they knew it was the perfect location to set down roots. Dr. Flores worked for over 5 years in the Santa Maria area after graduation, and was over the moon to learn of an opening on the Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic team. She has a special interest in neurology, and spending time educating clients.
Currently, the Flores family is a full house with an energetic toddler, a three legged cat, and an energetic rescue dog. And in her free time, Dr. Flores enjoys running, cycling, weightlifting, sewing, baking, and playing dungeons and dragons. With Pedro as the dungeon master, they're hoping their daughter will soon get her own character rolling in the next adventure.
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Practice Administrator
- Veterinarian
Joel was born and raised in Blacksburg, Virginia but migrated to California with the rest of his family following high school. He attended college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences in 2002. Joel went on to receive his doctorate at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006, following an externship in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York. Joel's primary interests include surgery and internal medicine.
Ever since childhood, Joel has had a passion for working with and helping animals and has wanted to be a veterinarian since the age of five. Joel is a member of the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach/Five Cities, a board member since 2010, the 2015/16 club President, and the 2024/25 club President. He traveled to India in 2016 as part of a medical ambassadorship to assist with NID (National Immunization Day) activities aimed to eradicate polio worldwide. He was a 2009-2012 board member of the Mid Coast Veterinary Medical Association and 2012 President of the Central Coast Professional's Network. Since 2014, Dr. Joel has served as a Purina Veterinary Ambassador, receiving regular advanced training in veterinary clinical nutrition. In the past few years, Joel has worked with local Rotary and Rotaract Clubs, the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pismo Beach to fundraise and host several Rise Against Hunger food packaging events. In 2017, he was honored with The San Luis Obispo Tribune "Top 20 Under 40" award. In 2019, Dr. Joel was selected to be part of Leadership SLO, a county-wide leadership development and training program. In late 2019, Dr. Joel was invited to join the board of directors for Lumina Alliance, an organization devoted to providing support and resources to end domestic and intimate partner violence in SLO county. In 2020 he was honored to be elected Vice President of the Lumina Alliance board. Dr. Joel regularly provides consulting services for research firms investigating trends and practices in the veterinary field.
In 2016, Dr. Joel founded PETS Hospital in Orcutt, CA. PETS is a 24/7 emergency and specialty animal hospital that focuses on the customer experience and developing a collaborative partnership with area general practice veterinarians. His hope is to expand the facility to offer an ever increasing array of specialty services including Cardiology, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Emergency and Critical Care. For more information, go to petsurgentcare.com.
In 2010, Joel helped found Central Coast Ultimate - an organization dedicated promoting ultimate on the Central Coast. He now organizes 5-6 pickup games per week, annual local ultimate leagues, tournaments, and club teams. He regularly competes in regional, national, and international club tournaments and championships. Joel lives in Pismo Beach with his wife, Dr. Sarah Conn; his sons, Jude and Jackson; and his cat, Pickles With Milk.
Job Titles:
- Medical Director
- Veterinarian
Dr. Walti was born and raised in Mission Viejo, California. Her love of animals was evident from a very early age and she soon decided her path would lead her to toward veterinary medicine. The first leg of her journey took her to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she left with a Bachelor's Degree
Dr. Michael O'Hara grew up in Orcutt, CA and studied molecular biology and biochemistry at the University of California Santa Cruz. He initially began working in the local veterinary medical community as a veterinary technician, and he went on to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Western University before returning to the Central Coast to practice.
In his free time, Dr. O'Hara enjoys golfing and hiking with his wife Katie and three dogs.
Dr. Sarah Conn grew up in Minnesota, moving to California in 2000 for more sunshine and fewer mosquitoes. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota and achieved her doctorate from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Upon completion of a rotating internship in emergency care, surgery, and general medicine, Dr. Conn practiced in Sonoma County before moving to the beautiful Central Coast in 2009 with her husband, Dr. Joel Conn. Although she enjoys the diversity of general practice, she holds a special interest in emergency medicine and diagnostic imaging.
Dr. Conn has participated in service projects and educational events with her husband and the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach/Five Cities since 2009. She has an increasing passion in matters promoting diversity and inclusivity and has been the Events and Programs Chair for the Five Cities Diversity Coalition since 2017. Most recently, Dr. Conn was appointed to the 2019-2021 Board of Directors for the SLO County YMCA, an organization that focuses on diversity and inclusion as an integral part of building strong communities.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, traveling, listening to the ocean from her deck, and playing board games with friends and family. Drs. Sarah and Joel love living in Pismo Beach with their witty son, Jude; their dog, Bella - who has the spunk of a terrier and the legs of an Italian Greyhound; and their sweet, orange tabby that Jude named Pickle with Milk.