Pet Care Information
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Meet Our People
Our Doctors
Dr. Anna Almquist Kaiser
DVM
Dr. Kaiser grew up all over as the daughter of an Air Force dentist. She graduated from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in 1995 and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M University in 1999. She came to Encino Park Veterinary Clinic in 2000 and took over as owner in 2005. Her professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology and animal behavior. She is a member of the American Animal Hospitals Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County. She has served on the VMABC board of directors, as well as on the Palo Alto Veterinary Technician advisory board.
Dr. Kaiser has four grown children, three dogs, five cats, five horses, and a herd of goats. An animal lover to the core, she is passionate about supporting animal rescues and finding homes for as many as she can! In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, reading, Bible study, riding horses, running, rowing, traveling, eating good food, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Melissa Almquist
DVM
Dr. Almquist grew up in Sugarland, TX. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 1995 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science and received her Doctorate degree from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She has been at Encino Park Veterinary Clinic since 2003 and has a special interest in surgery and dentistry. She is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County. She is also a past president of the VMABC as well.
Dr. Almquist is married and has a daughter. Her family also includes numerous pets including dogs, cats, goats and a donkey. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and volunteering in her free time. She also enjoys golfing and spending time outdoors.
Dr. Krista Wilkerson
DVM
Dr. Wilkerson grew up in East Texas and has worked in the Veterinary industry for over 22 years. She graduated from Texas A& M with a Bachelors in Biomedical Science in 2001 and pursued a career as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Dr. Wilkerson has the pleasure of calling Encino Park Veterinary Clinic “home” after working here as the Chief of Nursing from 2001-2008. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Psychology and taught Psychology at various universities both in the United States and Germany. She is a proud Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine graduate and has a special interest in small animal dentistry and pocket and exotic pets. She rejoined Encino Park Veterinary clinic as a veterinarian in June 2019 and is excited to be a part of the community. She has 5 dogs and a cat. She does hospice cares for senior pets. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking and riding motorcycles.
Dr. Julie Abrams
DVM
Dr. Abrams grew up in San Antonio, but left Texas to get her Bachelor of Science degree from Union College in upstate New York. She then went to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine for her veterinary degree and graduated in 2011 after completing her clinical training at Tufts University. Dr. Abrams’ favorite part of being a vet is playing a role in the amazing relationship between people and their pets. She has a special interest in dentistry and gastrointestinal disease.
Dr. Abrams is married with 2 small children. She also has 2 little rescue dogs, Tim (named after Tim Duncan!) and Lincoln. After living in California for several years, they all relocated back to San Antonio to settle near family. Dr. Abrams loves spending time with her kids and dogs, cooking, and riding horses.
Our Staff
Jennifer Portillos
Inventory Manager
Jenn came to Encino Park in 2015. She is originally from Washington state and has a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Management with a minor in Business Administration. She and her husband Curt have two sons, Chase and Owen. Jenn enjoys travel, family, and outdoor activities.
Claire Kaiser Owen
Hospital Administrator
Claire has been part of the EPVC family for longer than she can remember (her mom, Dr. Kaiser, was pregnant with Claire when she started as a vet at EPVC in 2000!) Claire started working as a kennel tech and tech assistant in 2015, got her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in 2021, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Texas Tech in 2023, and now is helping as administration, CSR, and technician assistant as needed. She has her own small business as a makeup artist (CO&Co.) as well. Her husband, Hunter Owen is in veterinary school, and they have two dogs, Milo and Major. She loves reading, walking, going to wineries, traveling, and baking.
Alana Barnett
Customer Service Representative
Originally from New Jersey, Alana started with EPVC in 2021. She is married with five children, two dogs, and two guinea pigs. She stays busy keeping up with her family’s crazy schedules, children’s sports and activities, and doing laundry!
Laura Alvarez
Lead Customer Service Representative
Laura was born and raised in San Antonio. She has always loved animals and health and came to EPVC in early 2024 with 6 years of experience in the animal field. Laura is married and has a son and a daughter. Their family also includes two chameleons, a rabbit, two cats and one dog. Laura loves spending time with her family, painting her windows for holidays, decorating, and doing arts and crafts (especially high school mums and resin art.)
Jessie Haught
Customer Service Representative
Jessie has been in the veterinary field since early 2022 and joined our EPVC team in spring of 2024. Originally from Brownsville, Jessie has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and a small business selling her own handmade jewelry. Jessie’s got a huge passion for animals of all sorts. She loves that veterinary medicine allows her to learn new and cool things daily. In addition to her long-term partner, Bruce, and her red nose pit bull pup, Jessie also loves reading, writing, video games, playing music (guitar, ukulele, and piano,) painting, hiking, the outdoors, and camping.
Christina Grasher
LVT, Lead Veterinary Technician
Christina relocated to San Antonio with her family from Seattle, WA. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Washington State University and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2005. Christina especially enjoys veterinary anesthesia and pain management. She and her husband have a 2 year old daughter and 2 cuddly cats, Henry and Calypso. In her spare time she enjoys running, downhill skiing and playing clarinet with the San Antonio Symphonic Band.
Jen Bagby
LVT
Jen B joined Encino Park in 2023. She received her veterinary technology degree from Palo Alto College and has loved animals her entire life. She is an ARMY brat but has lived in Texas for 25 years. Jen has three adult children and one at home. She has two dogs, a cat, a bunny, and some chickens. Jen enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time with her family, and trying new things.
Samantha Soltesz
Veterinary Technician Assistant
Samantha joined Encino Park Vet clinic in July 2019. She is originally from Arizona where she received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior from Arizona State University. She has been working in the Vet field as a Vet assistant since 2017. Samantha is also a dog trainer with over 12 years of experience in dog behavior and training. Being an animal lover, she herself has 3 dogs, 1 cat, 2 crested geckos, and 1 red-eared slider. In her spare time she enjoys many activities with her dogs such as hiking, camping, trick training and agility training.
Cheryl Earhart
Veterinary Technician Assistant
Cheryl joined Encino Park in 2020 with over 15 years of veterinary experience in small animal practice. She is originally from Corpus Christi but has lived in San Antonio for over 20 years. Cheryl is married and has one fur child from England, a Labrador Retriever named Sir Lancelot (aka Lancey Boy). Cheryl studied Biology at UT-Austin, Phlebotomy at St. Philip’s College, and is currently pursuing her veterinary technician license (LVT). She spent 18 years in the early childhood development field before returning to veterinary medicine. Cheryl has a passion for Jesus, encouraging others, enjoys spending time with her family and friends, the outdoors, traveling with her spouse, and loving on her dog Lance!
Hunter Owen
Veterinary Technician Assistant
Hunter joined Encino Park in 2022. Originally from Albany, Texas he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a business degree from Texas A&M University in 2021. He will finish vet school in 2027, and currently plans to pursue a surgical specialty before returning to our Encino Park team. He grew up with animals, participated in FFA through high school, and worked on ranches through college. He is married and has two dogs, Milo and Major. He is also currently a Data Analyst for US Oncology. He is a licensed pilot and enjoys Bible Study, mission trips, traveling, hunting, fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
Riley Dutson
Lead Veterinary Technician Assistant
Riley came to EPVC is the spring of 2024 with several years of veterinary experience, including general practice, emergency, and animal control. A San Antonio native, Riley has a twin sister, a brother, and parents who live in Colorado. Her children are her French Bulldog (Dior) and her Golden Retriever (Rusty.) Riley is currently in school and plans to pursue a long-term career in veterinary medicine. In her free time, Riley loves going on walks, going to animal shelters, and watching the shows Criminal Minds and Law and Order.
Veronica Silva
Certified Veterinary Assistant
Veronica is originally from El Paso and has been chasing her veterinary dreams since she was 13 years old. Veronica has been working in the veterinary field since 2015 and came to EPVC in 2024. She has two cats, Charlie and Houdini, and enjoys watching movies, karaoke, volleyball, and instrumental music.
Elise Almquist
Veterinary Technician Assistant
Elise has been part of the EPVC family for as long as she can remember (her mom is Dr. Almquist and her aunt is Dr. Kaiser.) She has always loved animals but she especially loves her GSP, Essie Mae. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M, Elise officially joined our team in the spring of 2024, filling in with a smile wherever she is needed. She enjoys walking and going on adventures with her dog, cooking, tanning at the lake or river, and golfing.
Lexy Thornton
CSR and Veterinary Assistant
Originally from Abilene, Lexy joined EPVC in 2024. Lexy has several years’ experience as a CSR and is now also working as a technician assistant. Lexy has one dog named Bailey Sue, is studying to be a LMRT, and in her free time she enjoys photography, hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
Tippy
Tippy joined Encino Park Veterinary in 2017. She is the resident clinic cat and enjoys sleeping, patrolling the hallways, and never skips a meal!
Pet Vaccinations
We provide affordable vaccinations! Your pet's shots are very important and the most effective way of preventing infectious and sometimes deadly diseases. We can also guide you on what shots your pet may need.
Pet Ear Examinations
We offer full ear exams for your dog or cat. Ear conditions can lead to pain and discomfort for pet. Call us today to talk to a a specialist and get your pet the care they deserve. 210-497-3300.
Nutrition and Behavior
We provide guidance for your pet's unique dietary needs for each stage of life. We can guide you with education, support, and tools related to appropriate behavior for your pet, as well as advise you on behavioral issues.
Testimonials
We love to hear from our satisfied clients.Encino Park Veterinary takes very good care of my pets!
Simply cannot praise this place enough. They saved our 13 year old lab, Duke. So incredibly professional and so compassionate. They were even sweet enough to make a follow-up phone call to check on Duke. Highly recommend!
Very compassionate and caring staff! We couldn’t be happier.
We've taken our dogs here for about 3 years now and we love the staff. The ladies really do love and care about each and every pet that comes in. They treat you with kindness and respect and truly have you and your pets best interest at heart.
Great people; if I were a sick puppy these humans can help
We have been pet owners for over 20 years and this is hands down the best team in the business. They are compassionate, professional and take the time to talk you through even the smallest of details. We know our fur babies are in great hands here! We love them!!!
Great place to take your fur babies for veterinary care. Our family pets have been patients since 2005 and Drs. Kaiser and Almquist are always personal, professional and take the time to answer questions. The new doctor is also fantastic!
I am so grateful for the wonderful care we received during a very difficult time for our family. Thank you for your caring and kindness.
Good honest people. Will give you an honest opinion for treatment and not try to take advantage of you.
We have been going to EPVC for years because of their excellent care of our fur family members. The entire staff is professional, compassionate, and sweet to our pets. The doctors are thorough and knowledgeable. EPVC has been there for us through the happy and sad, and the quality of care for both us and our pets has always been exceptional!