Our Veterinarians

• Bob Cartin, DVM
• Jill Peterson, DVM
• Zach Zeisse, DVM
• Meghan Landen, DVM
• Dr Luis Lizarraga, DVM
• Dr Paula Dvorchak, DVM
• Dr Rachel Graves
• Dr Jason Sweitzer
• Dr Jennifer Nissen

Bob Cartin, DVM

Dr. Bob Cartin developed his love for animals while growing up in New York.  One of his earliest memories is his father asking him, "Are you sure that you wouldn't want to be a Real Doctor instead of a Dog Doctor?"

After completing his veterinary education at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979, he practiced in Costa Mesa, California for two years before purchasing a veterinary hospital in Denver.  He came to Mission Animal & Bird Hospital in 1988.  He lives in Oceanside with the love of his life, Melodee, and their two children, Mackenzie and Griffin.  They share their home with Clifford (their retriever of thirteen years), Danny (their adopted thirteen pounds of canine fluff of unknown and questionable ancestry), Squeakers (their Domestic Short Hair Cat who allows the rest of the family to live in his house) and some finned friends.  In 2009, sadly, the Cartin's lost ZaZu (their 15 year old diabetic Cockatiel) and Eddie, the blind rat, who past on due to old age.

Dr. Cartin enjoys spending time with family and pets, traveling, running and all types of sports.  He is the longest serving member on the board of directors for Canine Companions for Independence (SW Region) www.cci.org/southwest/index.html.  From 2005 - 2009, he has served on the Oceanside Unified School District's Bond Oversight Committee.  From 1989 to 1993, Dr. Bob was a member of the North County Humane Society and SPCA's Board of Directors.

Recently, he added the title “Coach” to his resume, as he became assistant coach to the El Camino High School Cross Country Team.  He is also a proud supporter of ECHS Track, Baseball, and Orchestra, as well as a supporter of all of ECHS teachers and coaches.

Dr. Bob has spent a great deal of time over the past several years, planning and developing the new facility, which is now the home of Mission Animal & Bird Hospital as well as Bark Avenue Resort & Kamp.  The new state-of-the-art 11,000 sq. ft. hospital, resort, Doggie Day Kamp and spa opened in November, 2009.

Nearly fifty years after first hearing the Real Doctor question, both Dr. Bob and his Dad are glad that he decided to become a Dog Doctor.

Education
B.S. (with Distinction) – 1975 Cornell University
DVM - 1979 Cornell University

Affliations
Member of American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, and San Diego Veterinary Medical Society.

Jill Peterson, DVM

Dr. Jill Peterson was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona.  She spent her childhood surrounded by animals, showing both Saint Bernards and Quarter Horses.  She attended Purdue University, where she completed her undergraduate education in Biology, before moving on to Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine.  During her free time at Purdue, Dr. Peterson volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding program for disabled children.  This experience, along with her time spent "at the barn" as a child, gave her a strong understanding of the human - animal bond. 

After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Peterson completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Sacramento Animal Medical Group in Sacramento, California.  

Dr. Peterson and her husband, Matt, currently live in Oceanside with their dog, Harry, a cat named Skylee, and Katie the turtle.  They enjoy running, gardening, and visiting with family.

Education
BS (with highest distinction) - 1999 Purdue University - Biology
DVM (with distinction) - 2003 Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
Internship in small animal medicine and surgery - 2004 Sacramento Animal Medical Group

Affliations
Member of American Veterinary Medical Association

Zach Zeisse, DVM

Zach Zeisse is a San Diego native and lives locally in the Oceanside area with his wife, Jennifer, and his three children Emily, Alex, and Katie.   His family shares their house with their dog Daisy.  In his spare time, Dr. Zeisse enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, camping, hiking, snorkeling, and surfing. Animals have always been a part of his life.  As a boy, his family had several indoor and outdoor cats, and cared for the wild animals that lived in the canyon behind their home.  Dr. Zeisse received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.  He then spent a year at the UC Davis medical school in the cardiology department where he participated in research on the effects of gastrointestinal disease on cardiac function.  He was accepted into the veterinary program at the University of Illinois in 1995 and was an active member in the veterinary fraternal organization.  Additionally, he was a full time volunteer for the University of Illinois’ Wildlife Medical Clinic, which provided treatment and rehabilitation for sick and orphaned wildlife species.  Dr. Zeisse met his wife, also a veterinarian, while at the University of Illinois.  They moved into the San Diego area in 1999 after graduation.

Dr. Zeisse is privileged to be a part of the team at Mission Animal Hospital, and values building strong relationships with clients and their pets.  He believes in the positive impact that animals have on people’s lives, and enjoys helping to strengthen the bond between pets and their family  

Meghan Landen, DVM

 Dr Landen grew up in Omaha Nebraska with a family full of pets of all sizes, from hamsters to dogs to horses.  Her desire to become a veterinarian started at a very young age.  A good family friend, the family vet, promised her a position at his clinic assisting with patients when she could drive.  He made due on his promise and she worked for him all through high school and college.  During that time, she learned about the variety of aspects in a small animal veterinary practice and patient care, solidifying her aspirations to one day becoming a veterinarian herself. 

She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelors degree in veterinary science and from the College of Agriculture and graduated from Kansas State University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine.  

She moved to southern California and completed a small animal internship. During her internship at the VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center in San Diego, she received advanced training under a board certified emergency and critical care specialist, internal medicine specialists, boarded surgeons and a dermatologist.

 She has been calling North San Diego county home since 2005 and practicing small animal medicine.  She joined the team at Mission Animal and Bird Hospital in 2009

She shares her home with Lucy, her Papillon and the two of them enjoy spending their free time with family and friends. Some of her favorite passtimes are hiking, kayaking and hours at the gym. She lives a healthy and active life style and promotes the same for her furry patients! She also enjoys photography and traveling to see the people she loves.

 She looks forward to meeting you and your furry family members on your next visit to the hospital.

Luis Lizarraga, DVM

Dr. Luis Lizarraga was born and raised in Ensenada, Mexico.  Since an early age, he dreamed of working outdoors with animals.  His family always included an assortment of dogs and cats, and Luis and his brothers and sister enjoyed caring for their pets.  A favorite dog, “Reina,” was so beloved that, to this day, his mother keeps a dog with the same name. 

Dr. Lizarraga attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City.  He graduated in 1981 and immediately went to work in the field, spending two years as a veterinarian at a porcine farm.  Later, he joined a small animal practice in Mexico City.  

Upon arriving in the United States in 1986, Dr. Lizarraga worked as a veterinary technician while he prepared for his board examinations in order to obtain his DVM licensing.  This provided an excellent opportunity to work in diverse types of practices such as emergency medicine, small animal clinics, and specialty hospitals.  He and his wife moved to North County San Diego in 1989 and settled in San Marcos where they raised their two sons, Ricky and Gabe.  

Dr. Lizarraga enjoys all outdoor activities.  He is an avid mountain bike rider, enjoys motorcycles, and hopes to one day improve his surfing skills.  He recently participated in a four day mountain bike ride across Costa Rica.

Paula Dvorchak, DVM

Dr. Paula Dvorchak was raised in a small town in Iowa about 30 minutes east of Iowa City. She began working with animals at a very young age by volunteering for the local humane society along with her mother. She moved to Chicago to attend college at De Paul University and after graduating moved to Northern California in 1995. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Dvorchak received her Master’s degree in Animal Behavior and Physiology from San Francisco State University. Dr. Dvorchak received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2006 from the University of California at Davis. While there, she participated in two foreign externships (Spain and South Africa) which allowed her to study exotic diseases affecting dogs and cats. She also volunteered for Rural Area Veterinary Services, a division of the Humane Society of America, who perform free veterinary services on Indian Reservations.

 After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Dvorchak moved to San Diego in order to be closer to her family. She spent a year working for the California Veterinary Specialists as an emergency and critical care doctor. She later transitioned into general practice working most recently in Carlsbad. Dr. Dvorchak lives in Encinitas with her husband David, daughter Maya, four cats (“Asha,” “Shiva,” “Buddha” and “Granite”) and two dogs (“Zoe” and “Kona”). She and David recently welcomed their second child in their family.  She enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family. Dr. Dvorchak is also a big fan of the San Diego Chargers and rarely misses a game.

Rachel Graves, DVM

Dr. Rachel Graves is a San Diego native who grew up in Olivenhain.  She was an active member of San Dieguito 4-H Club, and raised and showed livestock at the Del Mar Fair. She attended the University of California, Davis for her undergraduate education, then ventured to Colorado to live in the mountains.  Soon realizing that she wanted to continue her education, Dr. Graves moved to Fort Collins, where she attended both graduate school and veterinary school at Colorado State University.  She completed a one year small animal rotating internship at Bay Area Veterinary Specialists in San Leandro, CA, where she received training from sixteen veterinary specialists in eight disciplines. 
 
While she will miss the fresh air, open space and adventure of Colorado, she recently decided to move back to San Diego.  Once again calling Encinitas home, with her Great Dane and Dane mix, Greta and Gunther.  She feels fortunate to be surrounded by a large extended family and both old and new friends.  In her free time, you will find her running, hiking, camping or gardening.   
 
Dr. Graves joined Mission Animal and Bird Hospital in March, and is anxious to meet you and your pet. She appreciates the strong bond you share and the importance of your pet's well-being. 
 
Dr.  Graves is proud to be a part of the MABH team and excited to be an integral part of your pet's health!

Jason Sweitzer, DVM

Dr. Jason Sweitzer was born and raised in Southern California. He grew up on the edge of town with lots of wildlife of all kinds coming through his backyard. He learned to love and respect all animals including reptiles, small mammals, and birds. He has lived with and cared for dogs, cats, chinchillas, leopard geckos, iguanas, gopher snakes, king snakes, rats, mice, fish, and a bird. He moved to Northern California to attend school at UC Davis and worked part time as an RVT at two of the largest emergency and specialty hospitals in that area. He learned how important a veterinarian can be when your pet is sick or injured. He developed a healthy respect for emergency medicine which continues to this day. 

  Jennifer Nissen, DVM