Dr. James Levin-Owner

Dr. James Levin's love of animals began in 1953 when his family moved into a suburb, blocks from the Detroit Zoo. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1973 with a B.S. in Zoology.  In 1977 Dr. Levin accomplished his life goal of becoming a veterinarian when he completed his DVM at Michigan State. In 1982 Dr. Levin moved to Laguna Beach, California with his wife Pam. He quickly became active in the coastal community.

Dr. and Mrs. Levin raised two daughters and son in Laguna Beach. All three children attended El Morro, Thurston and graduated from Laguna Beach High School. An active sports enthusiast, Dr. Levin, was a prominent figure in the community's sport scene. He coached all three children's AYSO soccer teams, as well as basketball for the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls club and NJB. Dr. Levin has also taken a strong interest in promoting animal care education in the Laguna Beach school system and has spent time volunteering in the classrooms at El Morro and Thurston. He is proud of the many young students he mentored over the years that have gone on to become veterinarian technicians and veterinarians. In addition, Dr. and Mrs. Levin have been avid supporters of SchoolPower for over 25 years.

2011 mark Dr. Levin's 30th year anniversary as owner and operator of Laguna Beach Animal Hospital. Dr. Levin has a special interest in helping others, both animals and people. He is a member of the AVMA,CVMA, SCVMA, and AAHA. Dr. Levin has worked with and supported the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, Bluebell Foundation for Cats, and the Animal Crackers Pet Rescue. He has also been a long standing board member of Animal Urgent care facility, providing after hours veterinary care for Southern California

Dr. Levin has 2 golden retrievers, Blue and Lucy, and a cat, Twilight. Dr. Levin can be seen often walking or jogging with his wife and dogs through Heisler Park.

 

Dr. Lara Alkofer

Dr. Lara Alkofer graduated from Washington University in 1997 and has been with Laguna Beach Animal Hospital since 2005. She has been a member of the AVMA since 1997 and holds a special interest in emergency medicine. Dr. Alkofer says the most rewarding part of her job at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital, besides working with the animals, is educating clients about their pets. Dr. Alkofer is married to a fellow veterinarian and lives in southern California with her two children and two cats, Elwood and Bruchi.

 

  Dr. Hays Fyke

Dr. Hays Fyke came to Laguna Beach Animal Hospital from Georgia where he first discovered his interest in becoming a Veterinarian. At the age of seventeen Hays took a job as a kennel assistant at a veterinary hospital, it was there he developed a passion for animals. During his time there he attended college striving to become a molecular biologist. In 2005 Hays decided that a future in the laboratory was not as fulfilling as treating animals and decided to apply for veterinary school. Later that year Hays moved to the beautiful island of Grenada in the West indies and attended St. George's University where he studied veterinary medicine. In 2010, he returned to the U.S to complete his degree at Purdue University, where he meet his wife Andrea( a fellow veterinarian in Orange County). Having moved across country once before Dr. Fyke had no reservation to move to California to be with his wife. Shortly after arriving in California, Dr. Fyke took a position as a medical and surgical intern at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Irvine. During his internship Dr. Fyke discovered California's demand for the highest quality veterinary care in the nation and is prepared to offer such a service. His special interests include regenerative stem cell therapies, orthopedic diseases, emergency, surgery and immune mediated disease processes. Dr Fyke is available for after hour emergency services and consults.

Rebecca- Office Manager

As an animal lover since the age of three, Rebecca has been compelled to work with animals. Rebecca has worked at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital for over 13 years, and feels the best part of her job is helping clients better understand their pets, so they can have a better relationship. Over the years, Rebecca has played an intergral role in the growth of the hospital, becoming a valued member of the veterinary medical community. Rebecca graduated from Professional Veterinary Assistant School in 2004. She has worked extensively with animal rescue programs and is the founding member of Laguna Beach Animal Hospital Rescue Foundation. Rebecca lives with her husband of over a year,who is the owner of a veterinary dental company. Together they have three dogs: a boxer puppy named Frankie, a cocker spaniel named Charlie, and a chihuahua named Sparkey, and five cats: Sid, Smokey, Mable, Trucker and Scooter.

 

Roger- R.V.T

Roger's father is a veterinarian so working with animals has always been his calling. He has been with Laguna Beach Animal Hospital since 2002 and feels no family is complete with out a pet. The most rewarding part of Roger's job is helping sick animals get better so that they can go home and return to their families. Growing up in the veterinary business and as a Registered Veterinary Technician Roger has a lot of practical knowledge that he contributes to Laguna Beach Animal Hospital each day. Roger has two bengal cats named Scout and Sammie.

 

 

Kate- Veterinary Technician

Kate's love of animals began at a young age in Minnesota, when she spent time working on her aunt and uncle's dairy farm. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2010, and started working at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital shortly after that. The most rewarding part of Kate's job is seeing sick animals get healthier and helping owners feel more at ease as their pets recover. Since she started working at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital , Kate became the first CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant under the mentorship of Roger. Kate lives with her boyfriend and their two cats Arizona and Little T. Kate always has an upbeat attitude and enjoys baking in her free time-she loves to share her culinary treats with the rest of the LBAH staff.

 

  Maggie- Receptionist

Maggie grew up with all different types of pets throughout her life and has always had a passion to care for them. Maggie graduated with a degree in Sociology from UC Boulder in Colorado. Maggie currently has two dogs named Toby and Jack. In her spare time Maggie enjoys hiking.

 

 

Jorrell- Veterinary Assistants

Jorrell can't remember a time when he hasn't enjoyed being around animals. For Jorrell, the most rewarding part of working at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital is having the opportunity to provide a safe and loving environment for the pets. Jorrell has worked at Laguna Beach Aniaml Hospital since 2008 and has a terrier mix named Jack.

 

Brittany - Certified Veterinarian Assistant

Brittany was five years old when she got two kittens and said she has been in love with animals ever since. For Brittany, the best part of working at Laguna Beach aniam Hospital is getting to play with dogs and cats everyday. Brittany loves to learn about veterinary medicine. Brittany has been with LBAH since summer 2011. The most rewarding part of her job is having the opportunity to care for and nurture all the animals that come into LBAH. Brittany is attending the Professional Veterinary Assistant School in 2012 to become an R.V.T.

 

 

Liz-Veterinay Assistant

Liz has always dreamed of working with animals. This dream came true when she started working with Laguna Beach Animal Hospital in September 2011. She has always had pets since she was a child and says they have always brought her a feeling of comfort. Liz has a cat named Olivia and a pug named Piper. The thing she finds the most rewarding about working at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital is loving the people she works with and knowing that she can help animals everyday. She also enjoys working in an environment where she is constantly learning. Liz hopes to train to become a veterinary technician and eventually further her education in zoology.