Meet Our Veterinary Team inStudio City, CA
Experienced, Compassionate, and HereWhen It Matters Most
At VetNow Animal Urgent Care, our staff is more than a team — they’re your partners in urgent and advanced veterinary care. From walk-in triage to overnight hospitalization, our Studio City veterinary team works together to provide fast, clear, and thorough support for every case.
You won’t just meet a veterinarian — you’ll meet a collaborative team of professionals dedicated to your pet’s health and your peace of mind.
Your Studio City Veterinary Experts
Our doctors bring years of hands-on experience in urgent care, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and soft tissue surgery. With training from top institutions and a passion for real-time veterinary support, they lead our practice with clinical confidence and compassion.
Every member of our medical staff is trained in:
- Emergency triage and stabilization
- Diagnostic interpretation and treatment planning
- Advanced surgical and anesthesia protocols
- Ongoing case management and specialty-lite care
- Client communication with clarity and empathy
Whether you visit for a sudden illness or a complex condition, you can trust our veterinarians in Studio City, CA to respond with the skill and urgency your pet deserves.
Our Commitment to Care
At VetNow, we value:
- Collaboration – Our doctors, technicians, and support staff work together as one cohesive unit.
- Continuity – With in-house overnight care and detailed records, we maintain consistent and informed treatments.
- Compassion – We know every pet is part of a family — and we treat them like one of our own.
Our team is what sets VetNow apart: dedicated, calm under pressure, and always focused on the best possible outcome.
Meet the Faces of VetNow
Dr. Elizabeth Yi, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Elizabeth Yi is a board-certified specialist of emergency and critical care (DACVECC).
Graduated from Western University of Health Science and continued her training at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center in San Diego for a rotating small animal internship and Emergency and Critical Care residency. She became a diplomate of the American College of Emergency and Critical Care in 2017.
Dr. Yi has served the greater Los Angeles area since 2018 and was an integral leader as department head at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital until 2025.
She has felt the call to provide a spectrum of care to the greater community, joining VetNow’s mission to help bridge the gap between primary and specialty care. Dr. Yi has a special interest in trauma, SIRS/sepsis, and client education.
Dr. Sarah Alwen, DVM
Dr. Sarah Alwen is an emergency veterinarian who has been practicing in Los Angeles, CA, since 2017. She has a diverse background with prior careers in conservation mammalogy and digital brand strategy. Focusing on her interests in the applied sciences, Dr. Alwen graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and subsequently completed a rotating internship with a heavy Emergency and Critical Care focus at a busy specialty veterinary hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Alwen has worked at several trauma tier I specialty vet hospitals across Southern California, where she’s been able to practice high-quality ER medicine with some of the best veterinary specialists in the field.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Alwen enjoys skiing, swimming, traveling, baking, and spending time with her husband, three children, and a myriad of pets!
Dr. Linda Wong, DVM
Dr. Linda Wong is a Los Angeles native who earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences in 2014. After graduation, she completed a rotating internship at Animal Specialty Group, where she received advanced training in multiple areas of veterinary medicine.
With more than a decade of experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Wong is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to pets and supporting their families during critical moments.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, arts and crafts, traveling, and spending time with her husband, son, and loved ones. At home, she shares her life with two dogs, Penny and Molly, and a crested gecko named Rita.
Dr. Catherine Frey, DVM
Catherine Frey is a veterinarian from Northern California who studied at UC San Diego and then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at UC Davis. Inspired by a lifelong love of animals, she is dedicated to treating every pet like family. When she’s not at the clinic, she loves spending time with her husky mix, relaxing at the beach, and discovering new places to eat.
Dr. Rodrigo Roca, DVM, DACVS-SA
Riley Stauffer, Hospital Director
After completing her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies and earning a Master’s degree in Education, Riley pivoted her career path and has been working in emergency veterinary medicine since 2019. She is proud to be working as the Hospital Director at VetNow and looks forward to serving the families and pets of Studio City and beyond. She is deeply dedicated to supporting families and their pets during stressful and emotional moments and ensuring clients feel informed, heard, and cared for throughout their visit. Outside of work, Riley shares life with three small dogs and she holds a special place in her heart for senior chihuahuas.
