Meet Our Veterinarians in Escondido, CA
The doctors and staff at Village Veterinary Hospital provide personal veterinary care for dogs and cats in Escondido, CA. Our team combines new family ownership with familiar professionals who have built lasting relationships with local pets and their owners.
Familiar people and personal care
A Team Rooted in the Community
Husband-and-wife owners Dr. Catarina Benavides and Dr. Sean Rodriguez lead a practice shaped by continuity, collaboration, and local connection. Explore our family-owned story or review the veterinary services we provide to learn how our doctors and support staff care for dogs and cats through every life stage.
The people behind your pet’s care
Meet the Village Veterinary Hospital Team
Our doctors and support staff bring different backgrounds, interests, and responsibilities to the hospital. Together, they focus on clear communication, informed veterinary guidance, and an approachable experience for pet owners. Familiar team members remain part of the practice while its new owners guide Village Veterinary Hospital into its next chapter.
Dr. Catarina Benavides “Dr. Cat”
Veterinarian/Owner
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She first worked at VVH in 2013 as a veterinary assistant, and came back in 2023 as a veterinarian. She received her BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona then graduated from Auburn University in 2021 with her veterinary degree (War Eagle!).
She worked in emergency medicine for 2 years in Columbia, Missouri before moving back to California to work in general practice. Her special interests include: abdominal surgery, urgent/emergency care, and theriogenology.
In her “free time” she enjoys reading, watching movies, and finding new ways to spend money on her pets. She has a Chihuahua named Calvin, terrier mix named Honey, and two cats (Pickles and Oliver).
Pickles, the baby of the family, was adopted from a VVH client that found her in a bush. She is also the naughtiest of all the animal.
PSA: There is no Dr. Dog
Dr. Sean Rodriguez
Co-Owner and Veterinarian
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He is originally from Fontana, California and he received his BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona; this is actually where he and Dr. Cat met. He then graduated from Mizzou (University of Missouri-Columbia) in 2023 with his veterinary degree.
He has a special interest in: soft tissue surgery, dental surgery, and preventative medicine.
He enjoys taking the dogs on early morning walks, playing video games, and working on projects around the house and clinic.
He was also in the Navy Reserves for 10 years, and was active duty for one year in Djibouti, Africa in 2021.
Dr. Alex Sherer
Veterinarian
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He spent his third year in college abroad at University of Reading, England and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
His Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree is from the University of California, Davis in 1986.
Dr. Alex has one dog, a Labrador Retriever named Cosmo.
Dr. Alex is a past president of the San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association.
He enjoys his grandchildren, tennis, pickle ball, and skiing in his spare time.
Dr. Christine Stewart
Part-Time Veterinarian
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She graduated from Gunderson High School in San Jose, then received a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from UC Davis. She then went on to receive her DVM degree from UC Davis in 1991.
She has a special interest in: geriatric cat care.
She has worked at VVH since 1993.
She has several cats and enjoys bird watching in her free time.
Sarah Alonzo
Office Manager
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Before that, she attended UC Davis and received her BS in Animal Science. She has a special interest in dental health and loves tackling complicated dental cleanings and dental xrays.
However, most days she can be seen doing a little bit of everything to make sure the clinic runs smoothly. She is also bilingual and happy to help with any Spanish speaking clients.
On her days off, she enjoys watching movies or musicals, and spending time with her friends, family, and her dog Mia.
She also enjoys trying her hand at nail art and hopes to learn to free hand many designs in the future.
She also enjoys planning trips to Disneyland during her spare time.
Marlene G.
Veterinary Assistant (full time)
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She received her BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona. Her long term goal is to become a veterinarian. She is interested in both large and small animal medicine.
She worked extensively with cows, sheep, and goats in her time at Cal Poly.
In her free time, she enjoys running and even has a run club in her neighborhood.
She has 3 Chihuahuas and 1 Husky Mix.
Sara Torres
Veterinary Assistant (full time)
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She has been pet sitting since she was 18, and still helps many of our pet owners with pet sitting on the side.
She is an Escondido native and is very involved in the local community. You will often hear the staff joking that “she knows everybody”!
When she’s not at VVH or pet sitting, she enjoys community events (art, music) and going to Disneyland.
She has one cat, Leota, and two ringneck doves, Sami and Ozzy.
Her hands-on experience at VVH has made her a better pet owner and pet sitter!
She also loves all creatures and will often save spiders and lizards that sneak into the clinic.
Cecilia G .
Veterinary Assistant (part time)
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She is the only VVH staff member that plans to work in human medicine.
She is a drummer in her church band and enjoys making adventure videos. Her most recent work included a recording of a dental procedure for the clinic!
One of her future goals is to learn to do a backflip.
She has two dogs, Chiquita and Jenny, 10 chickens, 6 fish, and 1 frog.
Diana A.
Veterinary Assistant (part time)
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In her free time, she enjoys competing with her horse Pepsi in barrel racing and breakaway roping. She is also a self taught baker and nail tech.
Despite a busy academic and work schedule, Diana also makes time for her church, St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.
Her long term goals are to obtain her RVT license, open a small baking business, and become a licensed nail tech.
She has 6 dogs, 7 horses, 4 ducks, and 10 chickens. Her favorites are her horse Pepsi and her dogs Darla and Bridget.
Diane Hildreth
Reception (part time)
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She was also the office manager prior to Sara A.
She studied forensic science for 3 years and worked as a medical assistant for 6 years.
She has one dog Tala and one cat Bosch.
Diane enjoys gardening, photography, and hiking with Tala.
She plans to retire when she is 75.
Judith Villalobos
Veterinary Assistant (part time)
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She received a BS in Biology from CSU San Marcos and an Associates in Veterinary Technology from Platt College.
She is currently working on getting her RVT license, and has a special interest in surgery and dentistry cases.
Judith is always working to improve her veterinary knowledge and skills.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crocheting, riding motorcycles, and spending time with her toddler daughter and 3 dogs.
Her love for animals was deeply shaped by her soul dog, Mily.
McKenna P
Veterinary Assistant (part time)
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She has a B.S. in Biology and Spanish from Carroll College and an MBA from Ottawa University.
She maintains a busy schedule working at VVH, the dental specialist, and seasonal soccer coaching.
She also plays in semi-professional and professional soccer leagues.
Her long term goal is to become a veterinarian and eventually own her own veterinary practice.
She has a special interest in dental care, radiology, and anesthesiology.
She has a dog named Georgia, and several horses on her family’s farm.