MEET OUR DOCTORS
Gary Gallerstein, DVM
Co-owner and hospital director of Acacia Animal Health Center, Dr. Gallerstein has dedicated his career to being his patients advocate. A San Diego native, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California at Davis. In 1984 he aquired Acacia Animal Health Center, formerly known as The Acacia Animal Hospital, and began moving forward in his dream to create an all species animal hospital dedicated to the highest quality medical care and client service.
Dr. Gallerstein combines 30+ years of practicing veterinary medicine and is best known for his expertise in the medical care of birds, rabbits and rodents. He is the author of "The Complete Bird Owner's Handbook" and co-author of "First Aid for Birds". While he has a special interest in exotic animals, he continues to have a deep interest in the medical, surgical and dental care of dogs, cats and other cherished pets.
Dr. Gallerstein lives in Escondido with his wife Laura, and has three children. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including jogging, and hiking with his dogs Blaze and Hop.
Carmine Bausone, DVM, CVA
Dr. Bausone is co-owner of Acacia, and director of theIntegrative and Holistic Medicine department. He is passionate about combining the best that Western and Eastern Medicine have to offer in caring for and treating your cherished companion.
A native of Los Angeles, Dr. Bausone graduated from the University of California at Davis with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1996. He has a special interest in working with birds, rabbits, reptiles and other exotics animals in addition to his passion for providing Holistic medical therapies to all species. Dr. Bausone has had extensive training in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), and received his Certificate in Veterinary Acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2008. He is also trained in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation, which is similar to Chiropractic medicine in humans. Dr. Bausone is currently continuing his training and hopes to attain his Masters Degree in Veterinary Chinese Herbology in 2010.
Dr. Bausone enjoys living in Valley Center with his wife Victoria, and their two sons. They share their home with a menagerie of pets including a tortoise, dogs, birds, and horses.
Tanya Adams, DVM
Dr. Adams has been an associate veterinarian at Acacia Animal Health Center since 2003. Her true professional interest is akin to that of a family practitioner where she strives to develop and maintain a long-term relationship with her patients and their owners.
Dr. Adams grew up in Merced, California, and like her collegues also received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California at Davis. Her professional interests focus exclusively on the medical, surgical and dental care of dogs and cats. She has special interest in Endocrinopathies (hormone-related diseases such as Diabetes, Cushing's and Thyroid illnesses), Dermatology, and diagnostic ultrasound. Dr. Adams relishes the opportunity to manage the preventative health care and medical and behavioral concerns of her patients as they journey through the various stages of life providing them with quality, compassionate care.
The family cats, Jack and Crookshanks, allow their home in San Marcos to be shared with Dr. Adams, her husband Nick and daughter Natasha. In her free time, Dr. Adams enjoys running, swimming and camping with her family.
Carrie Bone, DVM
Dr. Carrie Bone has been an associate veterinarian at Acacia Animal Health Center since 2005. Dr. Bone is experienced with rabbits, pocket pets and birds and has special interests in pain management, nutrition, diagnostic ultrasound and soft tissue surgery in all species.
Growing up in Del Mar, Dr. Bone graduated from the University of California at Davis with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2004. She prides herself in keeping current with the latest theories and techniques in veterinary medicine and particularly enjoys researching difficult and challenging cases. Dr. Bone is committed to providing her clients with excellent care that begins with taking the time to thoroughly discuss all available options and then tailoring the care to the individual.
Dr. Bone shares her home in Carmel Valley with her husband Keegan, young daughter Finley, and dog "Bird". She enjoys surfing, skiing, reading and crossword puzzles.
Dr. Brian Rois-Mendez, DVM
Brian Rois-Mendez, DVM is new to the Acacia Animal Health Center team. Dr. Mendez’s professional interests involve the medical, surgical and dental aspects of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals and local wildlife. His areas of special interest lie in trauma, imaging, and surgery of all species.
Dr Mendez endeavors to attack veterinary medicine with dedication, science and compassion. While he is no expert at every species he will make every attempt to treat all species as equals and with the best of his abilities. While here at Acacia he hopes to gather a varied and dedicated patient group and begin to increase his knowledge in exotic and wildlife medicine, an area of which he has much interest.
Dr Mendez grew up in the East County of San Diego and was among the youngest students ever to graduate from the ROP Veterinary Assistance Program. That started him off on his career in which he worked with the El Cajon Animal Control, San Diego Humane Society, certified as an equine dentist through the International Association of Equine Dentist (IAEqD), and worked with several equine and general practitioners before attending veterinary school. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The University of Glasgow in Scotland, and stayed to work in England after graduation at a small animal practice in Durham. Before moving back to the United States, Dr. Mendez returned to Scotland where he enjoyed working with exotic animals, wildlife and zoo medicine. He recounts being particularly fond of wild hedgehogs and the Queens' swans.
Dr. Mendez lives in North Park with three roommates “Monkey” his young tortoiseshell cat and two young California Desert tortoises yet to find their names.
Denny Aron, DVM, DACVS
Acacia welcomes Dr. Aron as our surgical specialist. He has over thirty years of experience as a surgeon, professor and researcher. Dr. Aron's work has been recognized internationally and he has been the recipient of numerous awards for helping advance the clinical and educational practice of veterinary specialty surgery.
Dr. Aron received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ohio State University and his surgical residency was completed at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He has been a professor both at Cornell University and University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Aron's special interests include orthopedic surgery, joint reconstruction, total hip replacement, wound repair and management, trauma surgery and canine physical rehabilitation. His published writings cover a wide variety of both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery topics.
Dr. Aron lives in Escondido with his wife Lorraine "Rainy", two of their four daughters, and numerou pets. To learn more about Dr. Aron, please visit his website: www.FidosSurgeon.com
John Harrison, DC, CVCP
Dr. Harrison has been partnering with Acacia Animal Health Center since 2008, providing clients with outstanding Chiropractic care in the form of Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation.
Dr. Harrison received his Doctor of Chiropractics degree from Palmer Chiropractic College and began his Chiropractic profession in Encinitas. He has worked closely with athletic trainers and medical physicians as well as consulted on wellness training and taught anatomy to health professionals. In 2008, Dr. Harrison earned his Certification in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation and has found that working and serving animals with this technique has been fullfilling and inspiring.
Dr. Harrison offers services in VOM to our patients on Saturdays at Acacia, and continues to care for his human patients, offering Chriropractic care and Exercise Therapy, at his office in San Marcos known as Pacific Healing Arts.
Dr. Harrison lives in Oceanside with his wife of 36 years Kate. They have two married children, Forest and Heather and two lovely grandchildren, Ava Rain and Laird Colton. Dr. Harrison is an avid surfer and enjoys reading and continuing his education.