Vets and Staff
At Canyon Hills Animal Hospital and Specialty Center you’ll find a skilled veterinary staff. People who love their pets made up of primarily animal health care providers, seasoned veterinarians, and veterinary specialists. We have an appreciation for pets as well as pet owners and a commitment to a meaningful relationship with them. We look forward to meeting you and here are some of the people you might be seeing.
Veterinarians
Dr. Georgina Marquez, DACVIM
Dr. Georgina Marquez continues to provide the level of care that our furry friends are accustomed to at Canyon Hills but with an added bonus: she is board certified in internal medicine (DACVIM, Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine).
This enables her to provide services that would otherwise require pets being referred including ultrasounds, fiber optic exams of the intestinal and respiratory tracts, CT scans, bone marrow collection and tracheal stent placement.
Dr. Marquez' lifelong ambition was to care for animals. She moved to Orange County in 1994 after completing her residency at UC Davis, and has sharpened her internal medicine skills at some of the most advanced specialty hospitals in Southern California, treating thousands of pets with advanced health issues.

Dr. Zachary Smith, DACVS
Dr. Zachary Smith, DACVS
Dr. Smith is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He specializes in complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. During Dr. Smith’s training he has been able to work with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country.
Zachery originated from Northern California and knew from a very young age that he would pursue veterinary medicine. He attended California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo where he achieved Summa Cum Laude for his BS in Animal Science. He continued his education at the University of California, Davis where he graduated with Phi Zeta honors and achieved his doctorate in veterinary medicine. After graduating, Zachery completed a small animal internship at Animal Specialty Group (ASG) in Los Angeles before completing his training with a three-year surgical residency with Sage Centers for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care. Zachery Smith was the medical director for Veterinary Medical and Surgical Goup-OC for two years.
When not in clinics, Dr. Smith can generally be found working at the family’s horse ranch or at jumping competitions with his children, wife and 5 horses, 2 dogs, 3 chickens and cat.

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Dr. Gene Hofacre
Dr. Gene Hofacre
With over 50
years of experience in small animal medicine, Dr. Gene Hofacre has literally
'seen it all.' The former owner of Yolinda Animal Hospital in Placentia
possesses a calm, friendly style as he
helps our furry friends. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Dr. Hofacre
remains a staunch Ohio sports fan & is also an avid skier.

Dr. Michael Turano
Dr. Turano is officially retired and is now living in Florida. He is spending his days playing softball, golfing, cycling, boating and enjoying the company of his 5 dogs! He hand picked Dr. Marquez as his successor at Canyon Hills Animal Hospital and Specialty Center.
Our Wonderful Staff
Trevor - Practice Manager/Dental Hygienist
Trevor - Practice Manager/Dental Hygienist

A graduate of Chico State University, Trevor Turano received his training in non-anesthetic dental care with Veterinary Dental Services from 2004-2008. Passionate about helping animals, Trevor, whose father and brother are veterinarians, has been providing veterinarians non-anesthetic dental care independently since 2008. Trevor has been the manager at Canyon Hills Animal Hospital since 2015. When not at Canyon Hills Trevor enjoys, snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains, riding bikes at the beach, and hanging with his 2 cats: Baker and Landry
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Lori - Tech Supervisor
Bringing over 30 years experience to our practice, Lead Technician Lori (RVT, registered veterinary technician) is able to provide the utmost in care to her patients. Her skills were sharpened at VCA Animal Specialty Group and Veterinary Medical & Surgical Group. Her fur family includes two cats, Skeeter & Gamora, and one Yorkie, Dobby. She has three children: Amethyst, Brendan and Austin and is engaged to her boyfriend, Mel. Lori enjoys all the comic book movies but her favorites are Superman & Superwoman.
Veterinary Assistants
Veterinary Assistants
Alex

Veterinary assistant Alex Symmes has been with CHAH since 2016. Alex is multi-talented, assisting both doctors & technicians, performing as a customer representative, being our go-to handy man, and entertaining staff with his subtle humor. Alex attended Santiago Canyon College. A true animal lover, Alex enjoys his friend Reggie, a Brittany Spaniel.
Chase

Veterinary assistant Chase's goal is to become a veterinarian. In pursuit of that goal, he is now majoring in biology at Santiago Canyon College and is gaining veterinary experience (here since 2020 & previously at Orange Canyon Pet Clinic). Chase enjoys skateboarding, skiing and relaxing with his pets: Leon, an English Mastiff, and Sophie the cat.
William
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Veterinary assistant William Melendez has been with CHAH since 2021. William has years of experience in the veterinary field. He has assisted in surgeries and specialty procedures with Dr. Marquez since 2012 . William loves Star Wars and enjoys spending time with his furry pal Princess Leia.
Customer Service Representatives
Customer Service Representatives
Norma - Lead CSR
Norma - Lead CSR
Lead
customer service representative Norma Aleman is always willing to go that
'extra mile'. In addition to her daily duties as an informed & caring
representative, team leader Norma also aids our technicians, doctors and kennel
staff. She is attending the veterinary
technician program at Mt. San Antonio College. In her limited spare time, she
enjoys watching football & hockey, as well as Harry Potter & Star Wars
films. Her pet family is comprised of three dogs: Fergus, Bailey, & April.
Jasmine
Jasmine, a member of our customer representative team since 2018, brings comfort to both patients and pets with her bright smile. She is currently attending Mt. San Antonio College's Veterinary Technology program, with a long term goal of becoming a veterinarian. Her pet family includes the three Z's: Zeus, a Maltese, and Zeke & Ziggy, both orange cats.
April
Kennel Attendants
Kennel Attendants
Alex

Jose

Robert
