Meet the Staff
Bernadine Stallings
DVM
Dr. Bernadine Stallings is a graduate of UC Davis, class of 1985. Prior to attending veterinary school Dr. Stallings obtained a Master’s degree in Medical Technology and was a microbiologist at a division of UCLA Medical Center. During her senior year in veterinary school, Dr. Stallings was given the award for Practice Excellence which is awarded to one senior student each year. After attending Veterinary school she served an internship at West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group where she received advanced training in Internal Medicine and Surgery. Her special interest remains in Internal Medicine.
Perry Kruckenberg
DVM
Dr. Perry Kruckenberg is a graduate of UC Davis, class of 1986. Prior to attending veterinary school, Dr. Kruckenberg received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona. Also prior to attending veterinary school, Dr. Kruckenberg was involved in groundbreaking research involving Salmonella infection in young dairy calves. His special interests include surgery and dentistry.
Nancy Fernandez Bujo
DVM
Dr. Nancy Fernandez-Bujo graduated from Colorado State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She joined Hemet Animal Hospital upon graduation. Her special interests are endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as ultrasound. Dr. Fernandez-Bujo works diligently in order to obtain diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment. She takes pride in building long-term relationships and caring for her patients. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children.
Natalie Kruckenberg
DVM
Dr. Natalie Kruckenberg joined Hemet Animal Hospital in early 2020. She graduated from the University of California Davis. Prior to attending veterinary school, Dr. Kruckenberg obtained a Bachelor’s degree in the Japanese language and worked in Japan for 3 years as a Coordinator for International Relations through the Japan Exchange and Teaching program. She then pursued a post-baccalaureate in pre-medical and general science prior to acceptance to veterinary school. While at UC Davis she participated in several clubs and volunteer clinics including the Veterinary Pathology Club, Mercer Clinic for Pets of the Homeless, Knight’s Landing One Health Clinic, and the Sacramento SPCA Feral Cat Spay and Neuter Clinic
Scherry
Office Manager
Scherry is a third-generation Hemet High graduate. Born and raised in Hemet! She has been with Hemet Animal Hospital since 2007, She started as a receptionist and was promoted to Office Manager in 2017. Since then she has worked diligently alongside the doctors and staff to ensure your pets are well taken care of. She brings with her over 30 years of customer service experience. Her love for animals started when she was a young girl. While attending high school, she actively participated in FFA and took pleasure in raising and showing dairy goats. Her love for animals is immense but she is a cat lover at heart. Scherry spends her time outside of work with her husband and their cats Bernie, Biscuit, Bitty, Blake, and Hawkeye. She enjoys movies, country music, classic Chevrolet’s, and motorsports!
Sara
Lead/Receptionist
Sara was born and raised in Hemet and graduated from Taquitz H.S. in 2016! Sara has been working in the Veterinary field since 2016 and has been with Hemet Animal hospital since 2019. She has a deep love for animals and hopes to grow in this field. Outside of work, Sara likes to hike and camp or be anywhere outdoors or spend time with her pets “Ivory” a Brittney spaniel mix, “Mushu” the chameleon, or “Molly” the terrier!
Kayla
Lead/Veterinary Assistant
Kayla is an Assistant manager/ Vet assistant/ Receptionist that has been with Hemet Animal Hospital since 2011. She has a huge passion for helping animals in need. During her personal time, she loves to read, go to Disneyland, and spend time with family, especially her daughter. She has fur babies of her own at home Gracie, Sparky, Katniss, Sisu, Ghost, Chicken, and Waffles.
Aileen
Lead/Veterinary Assistant
Aileen has been a Veterinary Assistant with Hemet Animal Hospital since 2019. She was born and raised in Escondido, CA and moved to Hemet in 2017. In 2018 she earned her Veterinary Assisting Certificate from Mount San Jacinto College. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, and enjoys assisting the Spanish speaking community in caring for their pets. In her free time she enjoys watching marvel movies shows with her family and cuddling with her 6 dogs Pocha, Chata, Ray, Chanel, Charlie, and Lola. She also likes spending time with her family going out to eat , hikes, and going to concerts.
Diana
Veterinary Assistant
Diana joined our team in July 2023. She graduated CSU Chico in 2022 with a degree in animal science and spanish. She has a state seal of biliteracy and enjoys educating the youth in dual immersion schools. In her spare time, she enjoys finding new adventures, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Tamara
Veterinary Assistant
Tamara is a Veterinary Assistant who has been part of the Hemet Animal Hospital team since 2007. Her favorite aspect of the job is assisting in orthopedic surgery. She has been working in the Veterinary field for over 15 years. Tamara has had the pleasure of working with exotics at previous animal hospitals through the years. Her tremendous care for animals started at a young age that led her down the path to this rewarding career. She attended MSJC and received her California State Certification as a nurse’s assistant in 1987. She worked in the human medical field for 12 years before changing careers. Hemet has been her home since 1978 and she enjoys living in this close knit community. Her enjoyment outside of work is spending time with family and coaching soccer. She is married with 4 children and her dog’s Anakin and Penny.
Rocio
Veterinary Assistant
Rocio started her career in Veterinary Medicine in 2001 when she moved to the United States and received her certificate as a Veterinary Assistant. Since then, she has worked for a number of excellent Veterinarians and has developed a passion for canine and feline dentistry. Rocio joined the team here as a Veterinary Assistant in 2007. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and has become an asset to this hospital. She enjoys spending time with her family including her dog’s Stubby and Packer. Her cat’s Aaron, Clay, and Jordy. She dreams of one day opening her home to a basset hound.
Ron
Veterinary Assistant
Ron has been a Veterinary Assistant here at Hemet Animal Hospital since January 2017. He has worked in the Veterinary industry for over 32 years and has experience in small animal and exotic care, preventative care, emergency care, critical care, and customer service. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and pets (Kali, Misty, and Duke.)
Melinda
Veterinary Assistant
Melinda has been a Veterinary Assistant at Hemet Animal Hospital since late 2021. She began her career in 2005. She is originally from Michigan but moved out west in 2002. Her love for animals began at a very young age. She loves spending her free time with her family, 3 dogs (Dexter, Benjamin,and Sophie) and her 2 cats (Isabelle, and Ian). She also enjoys crafting and visiting the beach.
Sonia
Veterinary Assistant
Sonia is a Veterinary Assistant at Hemet Animal Hospital, she has been in the veterinary field since 2008. She has had the pleasure to have worked with exceptional Veterinarians in San Diego and through that she has gained a substantial amount of experience through her years in the veterinary field. She joined Hemet Animal Hospital in October of 2016. Sonia has always had great love and interest in animals since she was young. She enjoys coming to work every day and helping out all the animals as well as sharing preventative care and information with pet owners that is beneficial to the furry members of their family. During her time off work Sonia is happily occupied spending time with her human children as well as her four legged furry children.
Alejandra
Veterinary Assistant
Alejandra is a Veterinary Assistant, who has been with Hemet Animal Hospital since early 2020. She was born in San Diego, CA and is now living in Murrieta. She Graduated in 2020 from High Desert Medical College with a Veterinary Assisting Certificate. She is CPR certified for both humans and pets. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Her interest in animals started at a young age with marine wildlife and has since also grown to include small animals. She has a love for all pets but her love for pitties is stronger, she recently adopted a pittie named Sharky. In her free time, she hangs out with her dogs (Cupcake, Brownie, Sharky).
Leonela
Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant
Leonela has been working at Hemet Animal Hospital since March 2022. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelors of Science. One day she hopes to continue her education and become a veterinarian. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her two kids at the park. She has two dogs Pumba and Kovu.
Linda
Receptionist
Linda has been with Hemet Animal Hospital since July of 2021. She first began her career in the veterinary field in 1987. She has a passion for working in client relations and helping people with their pets. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her grandson, going to the movie theaters, and enjoying the beach. She has 3 dogs Rocco (Dachshund), Pipin (Corgi), and Levi (Corgi).
Kelly
Receptionist
Kelly received her veterinary assistant certificate in 2006 from the Regional Occupational Program in Santee, Ca. She worked with reptiles and pocket pets for 5 years before moving on to small animal medicine in 2012. When she is not spending time with her family; she enjoys crafting, scrapbooking and tending to her many plants.
Marissa
Marissa has been living in the Hemet area for about 4 years. She just began her journey in the veterinary field and is excited to continue and grow in her career here in Hemet Animal Hospital. In her free time she enjoys shopping and swimming. On her time outside of work she has some investment properties she maintains. She owns 3 cats Daffodil, Bubbles and Mr. Paws and a dog named Rosie.
Kathy
Kathy is originally from Fontana, California. She graduated from Grand Canyon University. She has been in the Veterinary field for 2 years and is excited to continue to grow in her career. In her free time she enjoys watching movies. She has 2 Maltipoos Lucky and Layla who she loves taking on hikes. – For Sonia since her picture is blank we wanted to know if we can have that to be a picture of a dog or cat so it doesn’t look so blank for now.
