Dr. Paul McClellan is a graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. It was his good fortune to have attended a university that placed a premium on instructors who were patient and devoted to their students. It was his friend Dr. William Henderson who introduced Dr. McClellan to the wonderful environment of Northern San Diego County. In 1982, shortly after receiving his veterinary degree, Dr. McClellan moved to the west coast. Performance horse medicine was a growing and rapidly evolving science for equine practitioners in the early ’80s and Dr. McClellan saw it as a perfect fit for his interests. He has devoted his entire career exclusively to the challenges of performance horse medicine.
The use of sophisticated technology to enhance indispensable clinical skills has been championed by Dr. McClellan. He was encouraged by his association with renowned radiologist Dr. Norm Rantanen to author several papers on the use of diagnostic ultrasound in the early ’80s. Dr. McClellan helped pioneer the use of standing MRI as a diagnostic standard for equine orthopedic injuries, hosting the first in North America at SDEG’s clinic in San Marcos. Dr. McClellan has shared his knowledge on this modality with the equine community since the early 2000s.
Dr. McClellan served on the USEF Drugs and Medications committee for 2 decades. He is an FEI permitted treating veterinarian and served as the 2020 USA Dressage Team Veterinarian, helping to bring home a Silver Medal for the United States! Through the years he has had the pleasure of working with horses at the highest levels of competition in multiple disciplines. The memories of great horses are never forgotten, even if he seems mystified by most everything else.
Together with Dr. Mike Manno, San Dieguito Equine Group has grown to be a globally recognized center for the orthopedic care of horses. Most importantly it is a business that values, mentorship, leadership, and teamwork as evidenced by the passionate and committed staff of San Dieguito Equine Group.
Aside from the pursuit of excellence in his vocation, Dr. McClellan’s interests include music, writing, and gardening. He stays physically and mentally fit by hiking with his canine companion Bernie and spending time with his Irish Sport Horse Toby.
Dr. Rebecca James graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Prior to that, she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science with an equine emphasis. After graduating from Veterinary School, she completed a 1 year internship at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital. In 2012 she attended Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic and became certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Dr. James is interested in equine orthopedics (especially as it relates to performance horses), equine medicine, and animal chiropractic.
A native of Long Beach, Dr. James truly enjoys the Southern California lifestyle. She and her husband Jackie stay busy chasing after their two young boys Wyatt and Bode! Her other interests are traveling, riding, running, hiking, and reading a good book.
Dr. Jessica Robertson received an undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in Spanish and Sociology with a minor in Public Policy. Her desire to take her training and make a positive difference in the world, lead her into joining the Peace Corps as an agriculture and animal husbandry volunteer in Africa. During her time abroad she had the opportunity to work with many production animals and working equids. This unique experience, combined with her love of horseback riding, lead her to return to California and pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Robertson graduated from the UC Davis school of veterinary medicine. She has broad training in equine sports medicine and has an interest in the emerging field of regenerative therapies. She is trained in equine acupuncture. She serves top equestrian competitors as an FEI treating veterinarian and has acted as the official treating veterinarian at numerous competitions in the Southern California area for disciplines including eventing, dressage, hunter/jumpers, and polo.
She is excited her professional career has enabled her to be near her hometown of Encinitas and spend more time with her family. In her free time she enjoys hiking, traveling, and scuba diving in addition to spending time with her husband and dogs!
Dr. Paul Bienz graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2017. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Fraser Valley located in Abbotsford British Columbia. Paul is a native of Colorado and it was there on his family ranch that he decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Before entering veterinary school, while gaining work experience, Paul was influenced by Dr. Neil McKenzie to pursue a focus in equine dentistry. It was this passion for dentistry that brought Paul to San Dieguito Equine Group.
Together with his wife, three children, and troublesome Frenchie, he enjoys exploring all that Southern California has to offer!
Dr Nora H. Chavarria the newest edition to the SDEG team! She joins us primarily in the desert to help with the winter polo and sport horse show season.
Dr. Chavarria graduated in 2005 from the Free University of Berlin, Germany. After vet school she spent her first year out in a busy equine practice in Northwest Germany followed by 1.5 years in a mixed practice in Wales, GB.
However, her passion for the equine world led her in 2008 to Saskatoon, SK, Canada which is her current home base. When arriving at the WCVM she completed an internship in Large Animal Medicine and a combined Master’s and residency program in Equine Practice at the WCVM. At the end of her residency in 2012 she had her daughter and continued to stay on at the WCVM Equine Field Service Department as a clinical associate. Dr. Chavarria has many years of practice experience in all aspects of equine medicine and is teaching 4thyear veterinary students in their final rotations where they learn hands on skills and expertise in equine practice.
Dr. Chavarria enjoys all aspects of equine practice with a special interest in regenerative medicine, rehabilitation and laser therapy. She is currently involved in a laser certification program to be able to apply this sought after modality in a variety of clinical settings.
Dr. Chavarria’s husband is an avid polo player and spends every winter in Indio at the Polo club. Dr Chavarria has seen enough of Canadian prairie winters and has made a great effort to become a member of our team- at least for the winter seasons.
Dr. Chavarria is riding mainly English pleasure but has discovered Polocrosse, the “Poor man’s Polo”, together with a group of Polocrosse riders in Saskatoon. She owns an OTTB named Cherry, a typical red-head mare, who she says thought her a lot about approaching sensitive horses with patience and building trust.
In her spare time Dr. Chavarria enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, running and spending fun time with her family and critters.
Dr. Miranda Stripe graduated veterinary school at UC Davis, where she previously received her bachelor’s degree in marine biology and minor in oceanography. She also completed a masters in geology at UC Santa Barbara, where she worked as a teaching assistant. Dr. Stripe tutored and taught grade school between her master’s degree and veterinary school, developing her passion for teaching that she now incorporates into client education. She has a particular interest in preventative and sports medicine, using modalities such as massage therapy and acupuncture to aid in patient care.
Because there is no such thing as too much horse time, Dr. Stripe loves riding outside of work, especially dressage and 3-day eventing. She also enjoys working out, reading, experimenting with new cooking recipes, and exploring Southern California with her friends.