Specialty Medicine

Ravinder Atwal, DVM, CCRP

Ravinder Atwal, DVM, CCRP

Medical Director, Owner

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Dr. Atwal is the medical director of South Bay Animal Hospital & Pet Resort. He immigrated to the US from Punjab, India in 1990 and started his clinical rotations and internship at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN shortly after his older son was born in September 1991. Once he finished his internship, he proceeded to pass all required national and state tests for certification and opened his own veterinary clinic in 1993. Since then, he has continued to practice the highest form of veterinary medicine here at South Bay Animal Hospital. He is multi-lingual in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. He is a current and active member of the AVMA, CVMA, SCCVMA, World Vets, SNIP, and much more!
Dr. Dean Filipowicz, DVM, MS, DACVS

Dr. Dean Filipowicz, DVM, MS, DACVS

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons


After working for several years at a specialty hospital in the East Bay, Dean was asked to create the surgical branch of Veterinary Specialty Services in Fresno. Building on these experiences, Dr. Filipowicz formed West Coast Veterinary Surgical, a mobile surgical practice. Before long, West Coast was providing surgical service for all emergency clinics and most large practices on the peninsula. Dr. Filipowicz merged his company with two long standing emergency clinics in the South Bay in 2014 after being hired to create a new specialty hospital. As medical director, Dean pushed for continuous improvement at all levels and prioritized patient care above all else. Different motivations and priorities allowed Dr. Filipowicz the opportunity to form Bay West Veterinary Surgery in 2017 and to continue to improve veterinary service in the Bay Area.


  • Diplomate - American College of Veterinary Surgeons
  • Residency - Small Animal Surgery Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Internship - Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
  • M.S. - Veterinary Science Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
  • D.V.M - University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
  • B.S. - Mechanical Engineering University of Pennsylvania
  • B.A. - Economics University of Pennsylvania


Dean is published in several veterinary journals, has co-authored book chapters, and has spoken at a number of conventions and symposiums. His masters research investigated an emerging type of orthopedic fixation which has since become the gold standard in human and veterinary orthopedics. Dean’s special interests include fracture management, sports medicine, oncologic and reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive surgery and advanced, multi-modal pain control.
When not at work, Dean can be found enjoying all outdoor physical activities that the area has to offer, especially if they involve water or mountains.

Dr. Richard D. Kienle, DVM

Dr. Richard D. Kienle, DVM

Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology)

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Dr. Kienle, founder of MVVC, has practiced cardiology in northern California for almost 25 years. Dr. Kienle, who prefers to go by "Rick," believes in an integrated approach to veterinary care which includes efforts and collaborations between himself, the primary veterinarian, other specialists and the family of the pet. This collaboration allows for the
best possible individualized and ongoing care for animals with heart disease.

Dr. Kienle received his Bachelor of Science Degree, in veterinary science, from Texas A&M University in 1987. He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, also from Texas A&M University, in 1990. Dr. Kienle completed a small animal internship at the Sacramento Animal Medical Group in 1991 and completed his residency in cardiology at the University of California, Davis in 1993. His intense training during that time focused on advanced cardiovascular diagnostics, acute and chronic management of cardiovascular diseases, and minimally-invasive interventional procedures. Dr. Kienle was board-certified, in cardiology, by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1994.

When not practicing veterinary cardiology Rick enjoys playing bass guitar with both secular (Los High Tops) and church bands (NHCC). Rick enjoys building basses/guitars, effects and amplifiers. Rick also enjoys dabbling in restoration of vintage vehicles. His current projects include building a replica amplifier of a late 60's Ampeg B-15 and he is currently restoring a 1968 Ford F100 pickup. During the more temperate times Rick can often be found cruising the back roads of northern California on his Harley Davidson Road King.

Rick has been married to his beautiful wife Betsy for 24 years. They have two adult children - Reed and Abby.
Filippo Adamo, DVM

Filippo Adamo DVM

Diplomate ECVN

Dr. Filippo Adamo is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology and has been board certified since 1997. In both Europe and the United States, Dr. Adamo has gathered extensive experience in neurology and neurosurgery in academia and private practice.

Dr. Adamo served as Clinical Assistant Professor in Neurology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin from 2002 through 2007. He has since moved to California where he served as Chief of Neurology at the Bay Area Veterinary Specialists in San Leandro.

As Clinical Assistant Professor in Neurology at the University of Wisconsin, he devoted many years of experience in research and clinical neurology and neurosurgery.

Dr. Adamo developed an alternative medical treatment for GME (Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis), designed a frameless guided stereotactic CT brain biopsy, investigated alternative medical therapy for brain meningioma in dogs and cats and most recently, developed and tested the first artificial disc implantation for the canine cervical spine geared towards curing Wobbler’s Syndrome.

Currently, Dr. Adamo continues to conduct research on artificial cervical disc implantation in dogs suffering from Wobbler Syndrome and cervical disc herniation.

His professional interests are brain and cervical spinal surgery.

When he manages some free time, he enjoys spending time with his son, playing Brazilian rhythm music and surfing.

John Haburjak, DVM

John Haburjak, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons.


Dr. John Haburjak graduated from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1993 with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. He practiced for 5 years before returning to academics to complete a combined surgical residency program in San Diego and the University of Illinois.

Dr. Haburjak is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and his research interests include orthopedic trauma, and disorders of the carpus. He has several publications in the Veterinary Orthopedic and Traumatology Journal, Journal of Small Animal Practice, and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. His clinical surgical interests include surgical oncologic procedures of the face, head and neck, corrective orthopedic procedures, and neurosurgery (spinal). Finally, he has dedicated most of his post-graduate emphasis on minimally invasive procedures including: laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and interventional radiology (urethral and tracheal stenting).

Dr. Haburjak’s hobbies include SCUBA diving, Oakland A’s baseball, road cycling and cooking (not to mention eating, too!). He shares his life with his wife, Aimee (also a veterinarian), daughters Eva & Emery and a son Ian, Addison (bubble-headed Japanese spaniel), Poppy (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a freckled nose!) and S’mores the mini-Lop.

Dr. Jessica Paige, DC, CCSP

Dr. Jessica Paige, DC, CCSP

Diplomate, Palmer College of Chiropractic West


I have been practicing chiropractic after graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic West since March of 2004 and LOVE IT! I see a lot of families and specialize working with athletes (Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner and Active Release Technique). Recently I returned to school for a 5-month intensive program of Options For Animals to learn how to adjust small and large animals. When not in the office, I enjoy playing competitive pickleball. I look forward to helping your pet with all of their chiropractic needs!
Mark Lee, DVM

Mark Lee, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology


Dr. Lee graduated from Washington State University in 1981 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Following ten years as a private practice owner, he attended UC Davis as radiology resident and was board certified in radiology in 1994. He joined Dr. Kerr at VRS in 1995.
Larry Kerr, DVM

Larry Kerr, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology


Dr. Kerr received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University in 1981. He attended UC Davis as a radiology resident and was board certified in radiology in 1985. Following two years as a staff radiologist at UC Davis, he entered private practice. He also offers mobile radiographic and ultrasound services through his own radiology practice, Veterinary Radiology Specialists.
Eric Garcia, DVM

Eric Garcia, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology


Dr. Eric Garcia is a native of Los Altos, California. He received his BS from Cal Polytechnic, SLO and his DVM from Colorado State University. He completed his residency in Radiology at Kansas State University in 2015 and completed his rigorous board examination later that year. We are pleased to welcome Eric and his beautiful dog, Amelia back to the central coast. When he has free time, Eric enjoys surfing, hiking, and bird-watching.

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