Our Team

Graduated from Melbourne University School of Veterinary Medicine with Honors in 2001. After two years of practicing as a traditional western veterinarian, she decided to pursue her passion for preventative and holistic veterinary medicine. In 2003 she gained additional education from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and became a Veterinary Acupuncturist. In 2004-2007 she studied Chinese Herbal Medicine at the Chi Institute and in 2006-2007 studied Bioresonance Therapy. She is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Vanessa Flores is delighted to make the Bay Area her new home after a few years in Los Angeles.  Dr. Flores graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006.  She pursued further education in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and Chi University.  She is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist, Certified Veterinary Food Therapist, and Certified Tui-Na Practitioner.  Dr. Flores has been offering complementary medical care to beloved dogs and cats since 2013.

Dr. Kirsten Williams was born and raised in the SF Bay Area and attended UC Davis for both undergraduate and graduate studies: a B.S. in Zoology in 1988 and a D.V.M. in 1992.

Dr. Mi-Ni Wu is a dedicated veterinarian with a passion for integrative medicine and animal rehabilitation. Originally from Taiwan, she completed her B.S. degree at UC Davis before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her clinical training at Oregon State University, gaining extensive experience in various fields of veterinary medicine

Dr. Powell’s DC philosophy is to help all THRIVE through chiropractic care and other body work modalities. Her goal as a practitioner is to help the world by adjusting one joint at a time. She is a licensed chiropractor in the state of California.

She graduated from Life Chiropractic College West with a doctor of chiropractic degree. Then attended Options for Animals, in Kansas. She believes that the muscles are an intricate part of the body system, which also need to be addressed. Along with her chiropractic training, she completed equine sports massage & other bodywork courses offered by Equinology. She has furthered her knowledge and passion by taking Erchonia & Kinesiotaping classes.

She grew up in Dixon Ca, participating in FFA raising dairy bulls, pigs, and lambs. She graduated from CSU Chico with a degree in animal science and a minor in biology.

She has owned and ridden horses throughout her life. She purchased an ex-racehorse that allowed her to find chiropractic. Like a lot of chiropractors, her introduction to chiropractic care was through experience. After much research, she decided to attend chiropractic school.

She has a passion for chiropractic and a deep love for animals. Her main objective as a practitioner is to help maintain and restore body communication.

Gabriela received her Veterinary Medicine degree with honors from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina, and later earned a Master’s degree in Equine Medicine and Surgery at Tech University, Tenerife, Spain. She is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University and completed formal training in Veterinary Ozone Therapy through O3 Vets in the United States. Gabriela is an FEI Official Veterinarian (OV FEI) and an active member of FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale), FEA (Federación Ecuestre Argentina), USEF (United States Equestrian Federation), and EVUSA (Equestrian Vaulting USA).

After relocating to California, Gabriela began the process of validating her veterinary degree in the United States through the ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) program. While completing this pathway, she is currently working as a Veterinary Assistant supporting veterinary teams with patient care, clinical procedures, and integrative therapeutic approaches.

Gabriela is also part of the veterinary care team at the Nine Lives Foundation, where she assists in the medical recovery, rehabilitation, and preparation of kittens for adoption. Through this role, she contributes to shelter medicine by providing compassionate, detail-oriented care while working collaboratively with veterinarians, technicians, and volunteers.

In parallel with her clinical work, Gabriela is the founder of EquiGaia Wellness, a holistic equine wellness practice based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through EquiGaia Wellness, she offers integrative and preventive services focused on supporting balance, mobility, recovery, and overall well-being in horses, working alongside veterinarians, trainers, and owners.

Gabriela maintains an active commitment to continuing education and professional development focused on holistic approaches. Her training includes Certified Equine Sport Massage Therapy, Certified PEMF Therapy, and Certified Bach Flower Practitioner. She is currently enrolled in a Holistic Equine Nutrition program and advanced myofascial release training, including cupping and Gua Sha techniques, continually expanding her skill set within a whole-animal framework.

In her free time, Gabriela enjoys traveling with her husband, horseback riding, surfing, and spending time with her cat, Uma

Gina Stubblefield has grown up involved with animals from a young age. When she was 6 she expressed interest in training the family’s Australian Shepherd, and became active in the local 4H dog care and training program. From there her areas of interest expanded into various avenues of animal care.

The Australian Shepherd Club of America had (and still has) a phenomenal junior handler program. The club encourages junior handlers to train and participate in various venues with their dog(s). Since the family had Australian shepherds, Gina was able to work in all fields of training with her own dogs, and eventually picked up handling other people’s dogs as well. The training, opportunities and experiences from showing dogs makes all things dogs second nature to Gina.

She stuck through 4H until aging out, and in her years was active in most of the animal projects. At 13 she won small animal master showmanship at the county and state level. From there on she had the opportunity to start working with large animals. She raised market animals towards the end of her run in 4H, a truly valuable experience, but the dogs were always first and foremost her passion.

At 16, Gina was hired at her local general practice veterinary hospital. She stayed at that practice for 15 years before venturing out with an interest in holistic care.

Currently Gina has three dogs – Abby, a 14 year old Australian shepherd; Jewel, approximately 6 and a half year old husky/treeing Walker coonhound mix; and Rylee (the newest addition), a 1 year old catahoula leopard dog. Gina is an avid hiker with her hounds, not as active in the dog training world at the moment, and she loves exercising her dogs and providing quality care to make each day a perfect dog day!

Janelle is from the lovely town of Moraga and has grown up with cats and dogs. She moved to the island of Oahu to attend the University of Hawai’i where she played NCAA division one volleyball and graduated with a degree in Animal Science. She worked at a local clinic for several years after graduating, but after 7 years on the island, it was time to return home.

Accompanied by her two cats, Peach and Toad, she moved back to the East Bay Area and continues to expand her knowledge in veterinary medicine at Alternatives for Animals. In her free time, she loves to stay active, try new coffee shops and restaurants, and relax at home. Hawai’i will always hold a special place in her heart, but there’s nothing like returning home to California!

Joleen grew up in Hayward, CA, surrounded by cats and dogs her entire childhood. Throughout high school, she volunteered at the local animal shelter and worked at a local cafe before attending UC Davis where she obtained her B.S in Wildlife and Conservation Biology Post graduation, she continued her passion for caring for animals in her line of work at a small animal clinic in Sacramento, CA for 2 years before moving back home to Hayward. There she found Alternatives for Animals and has been loving it ever since. Although she loves working with cats and dogs, she plans to continue being involved with her love for conservation work through volunteering at the local wildlife rehabilitation center.

On her days off, she loves hiking, going to the beach, cooking, and traveling and exploring the Bay Area and beyond.

Olivia Chavez is a Veterinary Assistant whose love for animals began at just five years old, when she spent countless hours watching Animal Planet and dreaming of helping animals herself someday. That early passion led her into seven years of animal rescue work, where she cared for abandoned and injured pets and developed the compassion and dedication she’s known for today.

With a little over 2 years of clinical experience, she brings patience, warmth, and genuine care to every patient she meets. For Olivia, veterinary medicine isn’t just a job — it’s her purpose.

Outside the clinic, Olivia is a proud mom of five. Two of her children already share her interest in the veterinary field, something that brings her immense pride. At home, she enjoys time with her two Rottweilers and her sweet calico cat, who keep her days full of love and energy

Olivia Chavez is a Veterinary Assistant whose love for animals began at just five years old, when she spent countless hours watching Animal Planet and dreaming of helping animals herself someday. That early passion led her into seven years of animal rescue work, where she cared for abandoned and injured pets and developed the compassion and dedication she’s known for today.

With a little over 2 years of clinical experience, she brings patience, warmth, and genuine care to every patient she meets. For Olivia, veterinary medicine isn’t just a job — it’s her purpose.

Outside the clinic, Olivia is a proud mom of five. Two of her children already share her interest in the veterinary field, something that brings her immense pride. At home, she enjoys time with her two Rottweilers and her sweet calico cat, who keep her days full of love and energy

Ari was born and raised in Pittsburg, CA and has always had pets in her home. She has primarily worked in customer service roles, one of which was a supervisor at Starbucks for 4 years. In 2024 she moved to Hayward and worked as a receptionist at a small pet clinic where she discovered she loves working in an environment where she is able to help animals. After deciding to move back home to Pittsburg, she wanted to make sure she stayed in the same field. When she learned about Alternatives for Animals and read about our philosophy she knew she wanted to be a part of it.

In her spare time she loves making art of all kinds, going to concerts and hanging out with her fur-babies – Chancho, a 6 month old pitbull and Chico, a 3 year old chihuahua.

Sarah was born in the Bay Area and recently moved back after spending many years throughout Northern California. She has her own dog, Jojo (pictured), who is 9, and has owned many animals over the course of her life, including horses, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and cats. She has always been an avid animal and nature lover.

Sarah still works with horses and absolutely loves riding—especially jumping and spending time out on the trails. She has a strong passion for nutrition and functional medicine and is currently working toward her Functional Nutrition Certification, as well as completing general education to become either a Registered Nurse (for humans!) or a Registered Dietitian, with the long-term goal of becoming a fully licensed Functional Medicine Practitioner.

She takes pride in being part of a practice that focuses on holistic, root-cause healing and alternative healing methods. Sarah loves working with the animals, clients, and staff at Alternatives for Animals and is grateful to be part of the team!