A Well Adjusted Pet
  • About Us
    • Philosophy of Care
    • Meet Dr Ilana
    • Our Staff and Partners
    • Clinic Tour
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Payment Options
    • Causes We Care About
    • Reviews
    • Becoming an Intern
    • AWAP Newsletters
    • News & Events
  • Conditions
    • Arthritis/Senior Mobility Issues
    • Ligament/Tendon/Soft Tissue Injuries
    • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Spinal/Neurological Disease
  • Services
    • Online Pharmacy
    • Acupressure & Therapeutic Massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Behavior Consultation
    • Chiropractic Care
    • Custom Therapeutic Exercise & Sports Conditioning
    • Electrical Stimulation Therapies
    • ExtraCorporeal Shockwave (ESWT)
    • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy/tPEMF
    • Nutrition Counseling
    • Senior Pet Care & Pain Management
    • Therapeutic Laser
    • Underwater Treadmill & Warm Water Resistance Pool
    • Weight Loss & Fitness
    • Hospice & End of Life Care
  • Telemedicine
  • Orthopets SF
  • Case Studies
  • Contact

Our Staff and Partners

​AWAP Owner and Director of Animal Rehabilitation and Veterinary Care

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Dr. Ilana Strubel
Ilana Strubel, MA, DVM, CVSMT, CCRT, CVAT
A Well Adjusted Pet
​My pets: 
  • Murphy (16 yrs old) - from Peace of Mind Rescue 
  • Lila (3 yrs old)-  from the Bethlehem Shelter
  • Lady Bird Viola (15 yrs old)-  from Muttville 
What I do for fun: (Work and volunteering -just kidding!) Walking my dogs, Sea Kayaking, SCUBA diving, Snorkeling 
Read more about Dr. Ilana

AWAP Medical Team

PictureDr. Laurie Pearlstein
Dr. Laurie Pearlstein, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVAT
Dr. Pearlstein was born in Washington D.C. but has lived all over the country since then. Most recently she lived and worked in Boston/Cambridge until moving out here to the 'left' coast. . When not at work, she spends time outdoors with anything nature has to offer (the Bay Area and Northern California certainly provide a cornucopia of options). She still likes the fun and beauty of winter, but finds it quite novel living in a place where you can choose to go to winter or not.

Her extra training is in emergency medicine, physical rehabilitation and acupuncture/TCVM (traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) from Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Canine Rehabilitation Institute and Chi Institute (Chinese medicine/Acupuncture). She is very pleased to offer so many aspects of training and experience, channeled into a practical but creative nature to care for and treat patients. "Our animal friends give us so much, it is a small token of appreciation back to be able to help them to feel and function their best."

Ella Woods
Ella Woods
Ella Woods, DAOM, Dipl. OM, LaC
What I do for the Team: Acupuncture; including acupuncture and electrical-acupuncture when appropriate, and Traditional Oriental/Chinese Medicine, including prescription herbs.
What I do for Fun: 
  • bike riding all over the place and especially through the City, walking/hiking, Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Tai Ji and Qi Gong.
My Pets: The 5 best kitties in the world! 
  • Isabella and Ivy came from http://www.homelesscatnetwork.com/
  • Marilyn, Margo, and Tillie came from https://www.coastalcatsrescuegroup.org/​
PictureRobin Byas
Robin Byas
What I do for the team: Veterinary tech/assistant with 12 years of professional experience and counting
My Pets:
  • 5 cute kitties (Son 12, Chatter 15, Wile E. Coyote 7, Blackie Chan 7 , and newest addition Buddha aka Sir Bunnyman 5)
What I do for fun: 
  • I love music and play Guitar, percussion and most recently have been working on learning to play the Cello.

​I've lived in Pacifica all my life. I enjoy music and camping and backpacking, searching for cool antiques, doing fun art projects and DIY projects at home, baking and party planning. Graduated from C.E.E.P (Community Environmental Education Program) aka Wilderness in 2002, located in Daly City. I have volunteered and worked for local summer camps as a Rock climbing instructor, archery and environmental educator and youth counselor and cabin leader from 1998-2005. I'm an avid gardener and enjoy spending time with my 5 kitties and teaching them new tricks.

I have worked at a pet clinic in Pacifica for 12 years as a vet tech and the last 4 years as a tech supervisor and was the lead tech for the walk-in vaccine clinic for the last 10 years. I have extensive knowledge of vaccines, medications prescription food and general knowledge of pet care. I have worked with many types of animals; cats, dog, rabbits, birds, rats, hamsters, ferrets as well as a variety of reptiles. I love helping pets and owners become more educated about pet products and how to best care for our furry friends.

Karyna Blake
I have been a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse for the past 5yrs+ and Veterinary Technician for the past 10yrs+. I have worked in general practice veterinary hospitals as well as at SAGE veterinary specialty hospitals in the surgery, ER, CCU, and rehabilitation departments. I am also certified in Health Touch For Animal energy healing. My other area of expertise is in massage/body-work/ manual therapy but more specifically myo-fascial release but I LOVE all things rehab! I am currently working on my small animal Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupressure certification. I am excited to be working with this great team and adding my skills to the practice.

In my free time, I enjoy walking around my forest with my pack and tending to my food/ pollinator garden. I am very much devoted to helping those in need; I have started seeing animals in their own home for manual therapy. It fills me with joy when I help enhance an animal's quality of life. My husband and I are also BIG on movies! We don't have cable or internet at home so movies are our JAM! I was blessed to find my husband, Jordan, at the ripe age of 17 and it has been a blast ever since. I very much married my BEST friend.

I was raised in Burlingame, California and never see myself leaving the Bay Area. My Husband and I strive to own the 7 acre La Honda forest property we live on currently with my father and uncle.
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Karyna Blake
​The Pack:
  1. Matriarch: Brownie, 13yr old Chihuahua/ Italian Greyhound; my Foster Win - She is a fearless leader, who holds the keys to my heart. Brownie is sweet as sugar and tough as nails. 
  2. Father of the pups: Sancho, 14yr old German Short-Haired Pointer. My Oldie but Goldie and is more PUPPY-LIKE than his own pups. Obsessed with toys and Oh So Silly! Brownie and Sancho are my Super Seniors. A rogue Fox Hound wandered up to the property and eloped with Sancho but unfortunately passed 7 days after the pups were born. My husband and I bottle fed the Pups; they are very much our babies. They will always be puppies in my eyes!
  3. The Pups: 6yr old GSP/Fox Hound Mix Quixote- The Sweetest boy ever! He is my odd man out; he is very much an introvert. Quixote is delicate spirit but he can still hold his own!
  4. Dulcenea (Dulce for short)- my stubborn, wild child. Dulce only does what she wants! Brownie has taken her under her wing. The Ladies patrol the property and make sure that no neighboring dogs or wildlife wander on to their territory. Dulce now also keeps her eye on the sky after a winged creature tried to take Brownie; we suspect it was an owl. 
  5. Sir Reginald Blaze AKA Reggie Veggie- typical alpha male but very much a Mama's Boy. He is my cuddle bug, who loves to get under the covers to snuggle.
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Julie Stiefel
Julie Stiefel
What I do for the team: Client Services Manager 
My pets: 
  • Kenny & Navarro (energetic! boy cats) and Arnold (my Muttville rescue).
What I do for fun: 
  • take pictures, volunteer at Muttville, play poker, ride my bike, travel to Hawaii support https://www.savinggracerescue.com/. 
Kellie Caldwell
New to the team since June 2021,  I contribute to both rehabilitation and client coordination services.
My Pets: I currently have two pets - In the photo is Spike, my beautiful creamsicle corn snake who I have had for over 16 years now;  And Rubee, a 14 year old sweetie pie cat who loves her morning cuddles but is still sassy and spunky.

What I do for fun: Anything connected to nature - hikes around the local trails or camping in places like the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, where I can be found looking for morel and porcini mushrooms. If I am inside, I love to get lost in either drawing or painting fantasy worlds filled with mystical creatures.   

I was born and raised in the East Bay for most of my life but I have spent some time living out in the Amador County mountains and southern Oregon. I do hold many special memories as a child going on family beach trips to Pacifica, which I cherish very dearly, and ever since then I dreamed of moving to the area if given the chance.

In the year 2020 I graduated from Cosumnes River College of Sacramento and then shortly after acquired my Registered Veterinary Technicians license. I have a wide range of clinical skills pertaining to domestic pet veterinary care as well as wildlife rehabilitation. I have always felt comfort and peace around animals, so being able to directly contribute to their health and well being is incredibly fulfilling. Since joining the team here at A Well Adjusted Pet, I hope to learn and give back as much as possible through my exciting new career in pet rehabilitation!
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Kellie Caldwell
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Charlie Monge
Charlie Monge
What I do for the team:  Clinic Manager 
  • I am a San Francisco native who grew up with many pets and I have been working with animals in a veterinary clinical setting for 10+ years. Animals have always been a big part of my life and family. I really enjoy working with people and animals and my style is natural, gentle, and thoughtful. Most recently, I received my certification in “Rehabilitation Small Animal Massage” from the Northwest School of Animal Massage. I earned my BA in International Political Economy and Classical Studies at the University of Puget Sound. I also studied Massage Therapy and Health Education at the National Holistic Institute for humans. My pet family is composed of many, spunky Chihuahua mixes. 
My Pets: 
  • Sassy: who is our female alpha chihuahua mix adopted from the SF/SPCA
  • Tulip: who is our most ‘well adjusted pet,’ a chihuahua Italian greyhound mix adopted from Muttville
  • Timmy: Chi mix born 2022 from the SF/SPCA
What I do for fun:
  • When I’m not working or tending to my Chihuahua brood, I like to read as well as plan trips.
Kathleen Dougherty 
What I do for the team:  Animal Rehabilitation Assistant
  • I grew up in Pacifica, California and recently received my Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University. I have always been drawn to the animal world. Previously working both at an animal hospital and in a human PT clinic, I found that animal physical rehabilitation is where I want to be. I am always looking for new ways to learn and grow within this field.
My Pet: 
  • Bailey, German Shepherd Mix
What I do for fun: 
  • I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, cooking, working out, and going on hikes with a view. 
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Kathleen Dougherty
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Alexandra Zuanich
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Alexandra Zuanich
What I do for the team:  Animal Rehabilitation Assistant
  • I grew up in Livermore, California and recently received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I am currently back in Livermore with my family and pets. I have two younger siblings, my brother Roman (14) and my sister Nikita (19), that always keep me entertained. My hopes are to eventually receive a DVM degree and then work within the animal rehabilitation field with a focus on aquatic birds and mammals. I am super excited to be part of A Well Adjusted Pet’s team!
My pets: 
  • Finnley the Tortie Cat, Roxy the Chihuahua Mix,  and Castille the Goldendoodle
What I do for fun: 
  • My favorite activities are crocheting and knitting, going out to dinner with family and friends, and spending the day at the beach.
Ariana (Ari) Pizano
What I do for the team:  Animal Rehabilitation Assistant
  • Ari currently work full-time as a veterinary technician at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and works with us at A Well Adjusted Pet two Saturdays each month.  She has a strong background in acupuncture, herbs and nutrition, having worked at a holistic veterinary practice for eight years.  She is interested in pursuing advanced certification in Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation Therapy.  She has two senior chihuahuas of her own - Twiggy, a tripod, and Sasha.
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Ariana (Ari) Pizano
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​Beth Crittenden
​Beth Crittenden 
​What I do for the team: Business Manager.
  • Tracking how we’re doing in order to keep the focus on the business being fun, sustainable, and successful. Keeper of the checklists.​
What I do for fun:
  • Hike around my home in the redwoods of Marin, play tennis (sometimes in San Quentin prison), go salsa dancing, and petsit in Marin to get my furry love fixes.
A Well Adjusted Pet would like to express its gratitude to the amazing support from our team and partners. Most of all, we want to thank YOU, our clients, who inspire us every day and provide great reviews and referrals.

​AWAP Partners

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OrthoPets San Francisco
Dr. Ilana will head up OrthoPets San Francisco, offering new and innovative solutions for patients’ mobility problems in the San Francisco Bay Area where she currently owns and operates A Well Adjusted Pet – an Integrative Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation and Aquatic Fitness Center, in Pacifica, CA, just 10 minutes south of San Francisco. 
​www.awelladjustedpet.com/OrthoPetsSF/orthotics

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The Rex Center staff provides great resources for therapeutic swims, swim coaching, and canine massage. 
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Bay Woof
Dr. Ilana is a regular contributor to Bay Woof’s “Ask Dr. Dog” feature section, providing useful advice for dog care and health. ​To see past contributions, check out our “Ask Dr. Ilana” page or visit www.baywoof.com.

​A Well Adjusted Pet

Sign Up For Educational and Inspirational Updates ​to receive rehab newsletters from Dr. Ilana and the AWAP staff. (We will never sell or rent your email address.) View our past issues.
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Contact Us

1040 Palmetto Avenue
Pacifica CA 94044

4159673861 quick link call

(415) 967-3861 phone
(415) 358-5908 fax

info@awelladjustedpet.com
www.awelladjustedpet.com
© 2023 | A Well Adjusted Pet - Veterinary Services
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  • About Us
    • Philosophy of Care
    • Meet Dr Ilana
    • Our Staff and Partners
    • Clinic Tour
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Payment Options
    • Causes We Care About
    • Reviews
    • Becoming an Intern
    • AWAP Newsletters
    • News & Events
  • Conditions
    • Arthritis/Senior Mobility Issues
    • Ligament/Tendon/Soft Tissue Injuries
    • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Spinal/Neurological Disease
  • Services
    • Online Pharmacy
    • Acupressure & Therapeutic Massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Behavior Consultation
    • Chiropractic Care
    • Custom Therapeutic Exercise & Sports Conditioning
    • Electrical Stimulation Therapies
    • ExtraCorporeal Shockwave (ESWT)
    • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy/tPEMF
    • Nutrition Counseling
    • Senior Pet Care & Pain Management
    • Therapeutic Laser
    • Underwater Treadmill & Warm Water Resistance Pool
    • Weight Loss & Fitness
    • Hospice & End of Life Care
  • Telemedicine
  • Orthopets SF
  • Case Studies
  • Contact