Tustin Legacy Animal Hospital Team

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Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Tustin Legacy Animal Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Appointment

Our Veterinary Team

Our veterinary team is a kind and caring group of experienced professionals that focuses on building a long-term, helpful, and meaningful relationship with you and your pet. We are attentive, responsive, and provide outstanding customer service. The team is led by Dr. Celine Hayek and Dr. Kristen Negvesky, two talented and experienced veterinarians who spend their days going above and beyond to make sure animals under their care are healthy and happy during scheduled appointments.

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TLAH is also very proud to have two Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), Shelby and Balle, as well as two technicians trained in RVT programs, Katie and Yitzi, taking excellent care of your pets. RVTs go through additional schooling and must pass a rigorous set of national and state licensing exams to obtain their certification, delineating them as highly experienced and knowledgeable pet nurses. We’re so excited to have them on our team!

Dr. Hayek and Dr. Negvesky’s passion is education and helping pet owners understand how to best care for their furry family members. Not only are the doctors passionate about practicing high-quality, modern veterinary medicine, but they are also involved in the community. They eagerly participate in local events to share their knowledge and serve as a trusted source of information about pets.

Drs. Hayek and Negvesky met in 2015 while working at another hospital together, and they were instantly great friends. In 2017 they decided to band together and create their own hospital, a place where they can practice progressive medicine in a friendly, fun environment. They’re very supportive of each other and work together to ensure they have plenty of work-life balance and time to enjoy their personal lives and families. They also spend a lot of time together outside of work and like to try new foodie restaurants and go shopping and double dates with their husbands.

Dr. Kristen Negvesky

Likes

Anything to do with the beach and ocean; traveling with Alex, her amazingly supportive husband; riding her beach cruiser anywhere and everywhere; baking and eating pastries; watching movies & TV with aforementioned amazing husband; learning new things, and doing Pilates and yoga to help feel strong and balanced.

You may find her...

Esoterically quoting her favorite movies; entranced by petting kitties; staying up late for no good reason, and enjoying long conversations with friends and clients about anything and everything.

Personal Stats

An Air Force brat, she has lived all over the country but always came home in the summers to visit family in SoCal. Her mom, Sherry, is a dental hygienist, and her dad, James, is a hospital administrator. Her husband, Alex (did she mention how amazing he is?), is a computer systems engineer who manages a technology team for a financial firm. She has 2 cats named Fiona (rescued at 8 weeks old & is now 15 years old), who is a super sweet gray domestic shorthair who’s always by her side, and Morgan (rescued at 1 year old after spaying her in veterinary school for the local humane society & is now 7 years old) who is a crazy loving ball of fur tortie/calico mix. She and her husband excitedly welcomed their first child, Calvin, in November 2019.

Favorite Parts of Her Job
Building relationships with pets and their people; the fact that medicine is like putting together puzzle pieces to devise a specific treatment plan for each patient; the satisfaction that comes from fixing things; and the satisfaction that comes from fixing things (castrations are her favorite!).
Dislikes

Mayonnaise (with the fiery passion of a thousand suns!); rude people; and waking up early.

Superpowers

Detecting heart murmurs in pets that others can’t hear; making friends easily, and a wickedly sarcastic sense of humor.

Professional Stats

DVM from University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada); MS from UCLA (Physiological Science); BS from UC Irvine (Neurobiology – zot zot zot!).

Favorite Medicine Topics
Preventive care, neurology, rehabilitation and therapeutic laser, radiology, and surgery. She also hopes to get more in-depth ultrasound training and to learn how to perform stem cell therapy in the near future.
What Dr. Hayek Loves About Her:

Dr. Negvesky knows how to give her undivided attention to whomever she speaks with and really cares about you. She brings with her an exciting atmosphere that resonates with everyone in the room. In addition, she is a lovely friend and partner, and I am so excited to be working with her!

Dr. Celine Hayek

Likes

Milk or dark chocolate, creating fun flyers online for the hospital, traveling abroad, hiking, walking her dogs, jewelry making, trying new foods with her husband.

You may find her...

Relaxing in her backyard with her dogs, drinking tea, and soaking up the sun.

Personal Stats

Got married in 2017 to the love of her life, Jeff. He immediately got along with her dogs (made her love him even more), a Chihuahua named Dulce (De Leche), and a Jack Russell terrier mix, Pace. Dulce has been with her since her internship in Ventura, California, and Pace has been with her since her first year of working at a general practice in Orange, California. Our new hobby is hanging with our son, Leo.

Favorite Parts of Her Job

Meeting people with their pets and learning about them. Making sure that the people around her are happy and go home happy. Finishing up with a day that is filled with helping animals and their human friends.

Dislikes

Marzipan, coconut flakes (except for the real fruit), driving slow, people who dislike dogs and cats.

Superpowers

Taking photos of things from a different perspective and having them turn out awesome! Also great at working the microscope!

Professional Stats

DVM from St. George’s University, West Indies, with a clinical year at the University of Pennsylvania (2010). Two years of internships in Ventura, California, one year for multiple specialties, and the second year for Radiology and Oncology (2010-2012). Working as a DVM since 2010, with multiple years of animal experience before then; working toward being certified in Fear-Free medicine.

Favorite Medicine Topics
Radiology, clinical pathology, surgery, senior animal therapies, exotics eventually will learn all about acupuncture, as well as, stem cell therapies.
What Dr. Negvesky Loves About Her:

Dr. Hayek is very loving and kind and has a way of instantly putting people at ease. She always has a positive attitude and an infectious smile, spreading happiness wherever she goes. She is a wonderfully supportive friend in every way, and I’m so excited to share this journey with her!

Dr. Carissa Cruz-gsell

Likes
Sunshine, traveling, sushi, french fries, extra garlic
You may find her...
Trying new foods or at her favorite restaurants, otherwise attempting to recreate her favorite dishes at home with her husband. When satiated, she can be found tending to her garden of fruits, herbs, and succulents. Otherwise, she may be dabbling in her art box, drawing, sculpting or behind a canvas.
Personal Stats
Born and raised in LA but fell in love with the OC beaches during her time at UC Irvine. Met her husband, Grant, at UC Irvine and married in 2019. Grant is a mechanical and design engineer working for an automotive prototyping firm. They rescued their cat Jager (named after Chuck Yeager) and dog Leonardo (named after DaVinci) during their time in Missouri. They also have a ball python snake and a crested gecko.
Favorite Parts of Her Job
Working with pet parents to provide their healthcare and seeing those beloved pets go home feeling better.
Dislikes
Cuterebras, Pancreatic Cancer, wildfires
Superpowers
Creativity, thinking outside the box.
Professional Stats
DVM from University of Missouri (MIZ-ZOU!); BS from UC Irvine (Biological Sciences). With three years in Raptor Rehabilitation (birds of prey, not dinosaurs but that would be cool), externships at California Wildlife Center and Los Angeles Zoo
Favorite Medicine Topics

Dermatology and surgery. And on the side, wildlife conservation medicine
Shandell

Practice Consultant

Dr. Shandell Maxwell has a sincere passion for supporting veterinary teams so that they can focus on patient care. Her background includes experience in human health, staffing & recruiting, veterinary laboratory and management, and higher education. Shandell is a business coach, a continual learner, and an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. When Shandell’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and their rabbit.
Shelby

Lead Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet you and care for your precious pets! My journey to becoming an RVT first began at the OC Zoo when I was 16. This is where I learned how to care for many animals such as mountain lions, bears, bobcats, prairie dogs and even bald eagles. Soon after working at the Zoo, I started my first job as a veterinary assistant which ignited my passion for the veterinary field. Once I discovered my passion, I applied to Stanbridge University where I later received my license as a Registered Veterinary Technician. During my free time I enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking, playing the violin, and learning more about Veterinary Science! I look forward to meeting you and your fur-babies soon!
Liv

Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)

Hi! 🙂 My name is Liv, and I love caring for your fur babies! I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Science in 2019 and received my RVT license in 2020. Animals have been a passion of mine since I was very young- I knew that vet-med would be my calling when I first got my chubby boy Spyro (Puggle) and my spoiled girl Bella (Cheagle). When I’m not loving on your fur babes, I’m roller skating at the skatepark or watching horror movies with my boyfriend, Kenneth.

What the doctors love about her:
She is very sweet and accommodating. You can tell she truly cares about the animals’ welfare and ensures that the animals in the hospital are comfortable. She puts others before herself, which is a great quality, but at the same time, the doctors want her well-being as well as the rest of the employees’ well-being to be healthy! We are so happy she has joined the TLAH family!
Alexus

Lead Client Service Representative

Hi, my name is Alexus, and I’m excited to introduce myself as one of the client service representatives at TLAH! I’ve worked and studied mental healthcare since 2013 until I decided I wanted to follow my dreams of working with animals. Currently, I’m in the veterinary technician program at Mt. Sac while working on getting my vet tech license. I spend most of my time with my cat Flynn Rider, hiking or rollerskating.

What the doctors love about her:
Alexus is a very fast learner and surprises us every day with what she already can do at the hospital. She needs minimal monitoring, and she really gets the job done without hesitation. Last but not least, she is always smiling and always polite – perfect for the front office staff environment. She is an asset to the hospital, and we are really enjoying getting to know her.
Destinie
Client Service Representative/ Marketing Assistant

My role in the hospital is a client service representative and I’ve been in this industry since 2019. I have 2 dogs, a chiweenie named Kobe and a pomchi named Ella. My love for animals began as a child as I have grown up with nothing but dogs, birds, fish, hamsters, and guinea pigs. On my free time I enjoy painting, making strawberry and flower arrangements, going to the gym, and listening to music. I also enjoy hiking, trying new food spots, and hanging out with my friends and family. And although I am an introvert, I do enjoy interacting with new people, and I can’t wait to interact with you!
Britany

Client Service Representative

I’m very excited to be part of the TLAH team as a Client Service Representative. I have 5 years of experience in customer service. I am currently attending Santa Ana College and studying software engineering! I’ve been around animals since I was very young, and I enjoy spending time with my two rabbits “fur babies”, Mochi and Jane. When I’m not working, I’m with my Husband Angelo either playing video games or going to coffee shops trying different lattes and listening to some of my favorite music artists which are “The Weekend and Steve Lacy.”
Katie

Veterinary Technician

My name is Katie, and I have been a member of the TLAH team since 2018! I graduated with my AA in Environmental Science in 2011 and have worked with a couple of local nonprofit environmental groups before deciding that veterinary nursing was my true calling. I have loved and wanted to work with animals since I was very young, so choosing veterinary medicine was an easy decision! I went to Heritage College and OCVAS to get my VA certifications, and I have worked as a Veterinary Assistant since 2015. When I’m not at work, you can find me taking my Mini Schnauzer to the dog park, hiking/camping/enjoying nature, reading, or trying new restaurants with my best friends!
Aurelia

Veterinary Assistant

Hola everybody! My name is Aurelia
(pronounced Uh-rel-lee-uh), and I’m excited to care for your fur babies! I graduated with an AA degree in Veterinary Science in 2022, and I’m now working towards getting my RVT license, Lord willingly! I may be new to the team, but loving animals is not new to me! I grew up watching Steve Irwin, so I’ve had my share of caring for different types of pets. When I’m not here working with your fur babies, I’m either hanging with my family, friends, my boyfriend Derek, and or my dogs Finn and Molly! When I’m not here working with your fur babies, I’m either hanging with my Fiancé Derek, our chug dog Finnigan, Molly the Alaskan Malamute, friends, and my family!
Kayla

Veterinary Assistant

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as one of the veterinary assistants at TLAH! I graduated with my B.S. in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine in 2023. Currently, I am pursuing my Master’s degree in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, with the aspiration of becoming a DVM one day. My journey of loving and caring for animals began at a young age, starting with my dog, Roxy, and my cat, Mika. When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing video games, and watching all kinds of movies with my boyfriend, Nick.
Luz

Veterinary Assistant

I’m so excited to care for your fur babies! I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Health Science and I am on the road to becoming an RVTg. My love for animals began at a very early age with my soul dog Jackson (Dachshund) who has now passed away but continues to be my inspiration for helping animals. During my free time I enjoy going to Dodger games, Disneyland, the movies, and trying different desserts and boba spots with my boyfriend, Alex. I also enjoy painting Spongebob memes, spending time with the girlies, and caring for my dog Snoopy (Chiweenie), my cats Sushi and Shiro, and my sulcata tortoises Chip and Dip.

Coming Soon!

Check back soon for our upcoming events.