Where we don't just meet, but exceed your needs and expectations. Give us a call today!
02/11/2025
Exciting news! We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Pyle to our team! Learn more about her below!
Charlotte Pyle DVM
I was born and raised in San Diego, lucky to live in this beautiful city. I earned my Bachelors of Biology at San Diego State University, then was lucky enough to get some of my first veterinary experience under the care of Dr. Acosta who encouraged my application to veterinary school. I went on to earn my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Midwestern University in Arizona, then moved back home to graduate and practice right when California shut down for COVID in 2020. My first 5 years of practice were spent at a local multi-doctor clinic where I grew in my skills and confidence, then when Dr. Acosta offered a spot for me to come back home to his clinic, I couldn’t refuse!
I enjoy building the bond between animal and owner through education and informed care. I try to equip owners with the tools they need to know when their pets need our care, but also what they can handle at home to be part of their pet’s healthcare team. I am USDA accredited and a member of the CVMA and AVMA, where I have access to continuing education opportunities so I can grow my knowledge as medicine progresses.
In my off time I enjoy DIY renovating my first home with my husband, cuddling up with a book and my three crazy kitties, taking motorcycle rides with my in-laws, and occasionally crocheting a gift for friends or loved ones.
02/08/2025
Shep was an absolute superstar at his vet appointment today! He charmed us all with his sweet personality and, of course, his love for cheese. 🥰 Great job, Shep! 💛 ”
03/13/2024
We love meeting you guys with your puppies and kittens! We are grateful to be able to serve you and see your fur babies grow and become a part of our lives as much as yours.
03/08/2024
Jodi Thomson and Sweet Daisy were the lucky winners of our Douxo Derm Day Giveaway a couple months ago. Huge Thanks to CEVA for sponsoring the contest!
Our Douxo S3 PYO shampoo and mousse cleans while hydrating the skin. It detangles the fur and leaves the hair coat soft and shiny. It also helps support the skin's physical barrier for hydration and contributes to soothing skin irritation.
Participate in our next contest and win a 6 month pack of Canine Credelio flea & tick medication! Look for the previous post to guess the number of treats in the jar!
03/07/2024
Win a 6 month supply of Canine Credelio Flea/Tick medication* All you have to do is comment on this post how many treats you think there are in the jar AND share the post. Good Luck!
Contest Rules below:
*Must be a client of San Carlos Animal Hospital with a current annual exam for the pet receiving the prize.
*If not a client, we can certainly schedule your pet for an exam with one of our doctors and we would love to meet your fur kids.
*Prize is applicable for dogs only (don’t worry) cat contest in the future)
*Only one guess per client, One size for one pet only.
*Closest person to guess the number wins.
*Deadline for contest ends March 21st, 2024 2:00pm PST
*employees of SCAH are not eligible to participate
Where we don't just meet, but exceed your needs and expectations. Give us a call today!
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I hail from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. As a child, much to my mom’s surprise (and initial disapproval) I traded my drum set for an Orange Wing Amazon parrot (named Duque, who is still alive today) and it has been history ever since. Good thing I have a very supporting and understanding mom because I am pretty sure that I am a much better veterinarian than I would have been a rock star. Taking care of Duque made me realize what I wanted to do with my life. I love working with the animals and the clients, and enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine, especially the human-animal bond. I love how I am part of my client’s and patient’s life and they are a part of mine. It feels like I have the biggest extended family. I love seeing the puppies and kittens grow up and get older, seeing the kids that I have seen as children going out to college, some to pursue veterinary medicine and know that I may have a had a little influence on that. Of course, seeing those children go off to college does make me feel old, what can you do? I cannot envision a life not being a veterinarian and being involved in taking care of all of my clients’ four legged and furry family members.
I graduated from UC Davis in 1996. I previously worked in Long Beach before moving down to San Diego and purchasing Sunset Cliffs Animal Hospital in 1998. Since then, I ventured off to acquire San Carlos Animal Hospital in January of 2014.
My family members are both furry and feathered: Lucas Oil, my stumpy tail Australian cattle dog, shares the ground level with my cat named Small. The air patterns are occupied by my five parrots. When not serving the needs of my four-legged friends, I am a huge outdoor enthusiast and I love relaxing in my cabin in Big Bear or going snowboarding, surfing, wake boarding, off-roading, mountain biking, sand dunning, rock climbing, and hiking or just walking around and enjoying the beautiful community that is Ocean Beach. If it is outdoors I like to do it. And I am lucky enough that I get to do all that with my beautiful wife Lisa, and now with our new addition, our baby boy Gavin.
Justin Altman, D.V.M.
I have had a love of animals ever since I was a child. I would sit on the porch of my dad’s house and hang out with the stray cats in the neighborhood. As a child, at friends houses, I was more likely to play with their pets than the other kids in the house. Immediately following high school , after a couple visits, I quickly fell in love with San Diego. I moved here in 1995. I completed my undergraduate degree at San Diego State University where I majored in Biology. I received my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University in 2008, with a year of clinical training at Michigan State University. Since graduating, I have been practicing in small animal clinics as an associate veterinarian alongside Dr. Acosta. My years have been spent getting to know many families in the community as well as their pets and building many strong relationships over the years. I truly value the time I spend with each pet and their people. I have been vegan for many years and can recommend some of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. I share my home with my wife Robin (our Hospital Manager and Registered Veterinary Technician) and James Woods. I am dedicated to strengthening the bond between pets and their families. I am compassionate and have a genuine love of animals that drives me to provide great care and service to my patients.
Stan Kus, D.V.M.
Dr. Stan Kus has been a practicing veterinarian in the San Diego community for 26 years. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of California, Davis, in 1977. He then completed post-graduate studies at U.C. Davis, earning a Master of Science degree in Comparative Anatomy in 1979. Dr. Kus was awarded a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis, in 1984. He was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships during his training, and has several peer-reviewed publications in major veterinary journals.
Laurel Nishida, D.V.M.
I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii which has forever made me intolerant to cold. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology at the University of Hawaii and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. Despite the drastic change in climate, I enjoyed my time in beautiful sunny Colorado. I escaped during winter breaks, though, to thaw out in Hawaii. After living on the mainland, Hawaii seemed too claustrophobic, so after graduating, I moved to San Diego where I’ve settled ever since. After all these years, I still love veterinary medicine with all of it’s challenges and rewards. It’s deeply gratifying when I feel I’ve developed trust and rapport with my clients and patients.
During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and step Chihuahua, exploring the many cultural events that San Diego has to offer, and trying to stay in shape. My husband and I occasionally dust off the tandem bike and take her for a ride. I am an active member of the La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club, a community service organization. Once in a blue moon, I’ve been known to put on my old pair of dancing shoes to indulge my past passion of swing dancing.
Where we don't just meet, but exceed your needs and expectations. Give us a call today!
