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About The Doctors
Kim Haddad: Dr. Kim Haddad is the owner of the San Mateo Animal Hospital. She took over the ownership of the practice in July 2004, and is actively building on the hospital’s legacy of excellence. Dr. Haddad grew up in the Bay Area. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of California, San Diego, and went on to a successful Wall Street career. However, in 1990, she decided to pursue her true passion: helping animals. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1997 from the University of Florida. She then worked as a small animal veterinarian and volunteered at the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens. Kim’s concern for animal welfare has truly impacted her veterinary career, expanding her areas of interest from small animals to include all animals, domestic and wild. Dr. Haddad is the founder of the Kimya Institute, through which she tirelessly promotes proper care, respect, and dignity to be given to all animals, particularly captive wild animals in the United States. She is the manager of the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, which consists of a consortium of zoo professionals, sanctuary operators, and animal protection groups working to significantly reduce the availability, volume and presence of dangerous wild animals as pets. Kim also provides veterinary care for more than 400 animals at Coyote Point Museum, is a Consulting and Relief Veterinarian for the San Francisco Zoo, an Advisor to the AZA Animal Welfare Committee, the Medical Director for Another Life for Animals (a non-profit animal rescue group providing low cost vaccinations and spay/neuter services), is a member of the AVMA, CVMA, PVMA, AZA, AAZV and AVAR. Dr. Haddad, a San Francisco native, resides in San Carlos with her two boys, three dogs, and two cats.
Holly Trief: Dr. Holly Trief attended the University of Pennsylvania for both her undergraduate and graduate work. She received her degree in veterinary medicine in 1987. Upon graduating, Dr. Trief worked in Pennsylvia at Guynedd Vet Hospital from October 1987 to December 1995. Searching for different scenery, Holly moved to San Francisco in 1996, and began working at San Mateo Animal Hospital that same year. Dr. Trief currently resides in San Francisco with her two sons and a parrot.
Husna Ulla: Dr. Husna Ulla received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological science at UC Davis in 1994. Born and raised in California, she thought she would give the east coast a try, and decided on attending Tufts Unversity School of Veterinary Medicine in Boston. She graduated as a veterinarian in 1999. Unable to tolerate the brutal snow storms much longer, the California native returned to the west coast. She completed an internship at the Animal Specialty Group, concentrating in medicine, surgery and oncology. Husna is married, has two small boys, and a Doberman, which all keep her very busy when she is not at work. Dr. Ulla is an active member of the California Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association, and has been with San Mateo Animal Hospital since June 2005.
Michelle Walsh: Dr. Michelle Walsh received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from UC Davis in 1991. She continued on at the University of California, Davis and graduated as a veterinarian in 1995. Born in San Francisco and raised in San Bruno, Dr. Walsh chose to practice in her native California. She has previously worked at two other veterinary hospitals: in the San Bernadino area from 1995-1998, and at a practice in Pleasanton from 1998-2001. Dr. Walsh joined the San Mateo Animal Hospital team in January 2001. Michelle currently has a home in Belmont where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and Abby, her Boston Terrier. She is also an active member of the California Veterinary Medical Association.
Patricia Gallelo – Dr. Gallelo attended San Francisco State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1991. She earned her veterinary degree at UC Davis in 1996. Though born in San Francisco, Dr. Gallelo lived the majority of her life in Guatemala, Cantral America. Nostalgic for her birthplace, Patricia moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently resides in San Carlos, where she has lived for the past 10 years with her husband and three children, dog and two cats. She is an active member of the AVMA, CVMA and PVMA.
John Ochensreiter – Dr. Ochensreiter completed his DVM degree at the University of Illinois in 1988. John joined San Mateo Animal Hospital In the spring of 2005. A native of Chicago, John moved to the West Coast in 1991. He practiced emergency medicine in Seattle and also worked at the Woodland Park Zoo. He moved to San Francisco in 1991 and was an associate veterinarian at the San Francisco Zoo. He has been the veterinarian for the Gorilla Foundation of Woodside for the past seven years. He also volunteers providing low cost spay/neuters for Another Life for Animals. John lives in Pacifica with his dog Milo.
