Veterinarians, Technicians & Hospital Staff

Dr. Sarah Bashaw

I grew up in a small town in South Dakota. I always looked up to the veterinarian who took care of my dogs and cats, and also our farm animals. He was kind, compassionate, and we often saw him around town. Everyone knew Doc and he was always happy to stop and visit. I decided to attend veterinary school to become one of the respected members of my community.

After graduation from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002, the city called me. I never became the small town veterinarian that I knew growing up, but I learned a lot about how much people care for their pets, no matter where they live. I decided to open a practice that would provide to our community that veterinarian who cares as much about the resident's pets as they do. It's my desire to bring small town values and honesty to our practice.

Over the years I have developed an interest in veterinary dentistry. I have been fortunate to learn from some of the top veterinary dental specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Dentistry is only one portion of wellness care, and we integrate it with all other areas of medicine and surgery to provide complete care for dogs and cats. This comprehensive care is combined with an ongoing effort to educate and guide pet owners in maintaining and improving their pets' health, and an understanding of the bond between pet owners and their pets.

My husband, David, and I have been residents of Fountain Hills since 2005. We have one dog named TJ; five cats, Rocky, Ping, Grackle, Lupo and Frankie; and an African Tortoise named Ninja.

Dr. Bashaw is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Dental Society, the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Association of Feline Practitioners and is a graduate with honors from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Megan Marshall

Dr. Marshall is a Gallup, New Mexico native who attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for both her Bachelors of Science in Biology and D.V.M. at the College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing her D.V.M. degree, Dr. Marshall and her husband Brandon moved to the St. Louis, Missouri area. Dr. Marshall has been practicing general medicine and surgery for 6 years prior to joining El Dorado Animal Hospital in June of 2014. Dr. Marshall has two dogs, a Standard Poodle named Brinkley and a terrier mix named Truman, and two Siberian Forest Cats named Vlad and Katya. In 2016 she and her husband were blessed with a healthy baby girl they named Camryn. She is happy to return to her southwest roots and looks forward to providing the best care and enhancing the bond owners have with their pets.

Dr. Marshall is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Kimberly Wallitsch

Dr. Wallitsch is originally from Mineola, New York. She attended Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She received her D.V.M. with Honors in May 2019 from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. Dr. Wallitsch originally joined the El Dorado team in 2016, during her veterinary education, where she worked as a technician. Dr. Wallitsch is very happy to be staying alongside her El Dorado family as she embarks on her veterinary career. She looks forward to focusing on preventative care and disease management while also preserving and strengthening the human-animal bond. In her spare time, Dr. Wallitsch enjoys camping and exploring new breweries with her boyfriend and Bernese Mountain Dog, Cody.

David Bashaw, Hospital Administrator

David has many responsibilities at El Dorado Animal Hospital, including hospital administration, inventory management, bookkeeping, human resources, handyman/repairman and even landscape and janitorial duties. He's the behind-the-scenes man that keeps the hospital running smoothly. He also is available at anytime for client needs, whether it's special ordering medications or food, or helping transport a pet to and from the hospital.

Support Staff

Becca Harrow, Practice Manager

Becca is an Arizona native with a background in communication, retail and customer service. She joined El Dorado Animal Hospital in August 2016, starting as a customer care representative and now has the dual role of office manager. While working full time she completed her studies with a major in communication at NAU. Becca enjoys traveling, watching movies, baking and spending time with family. She has two cats, Pumpkin and Sebastian, and a Walker Hound dog named Toast.

Kelsey Oakman, Certified Veterinary Technician

Kelsey is originally from Prescott, AZ. She joined El Dorado Animal Hospital in February 2014 as a veterinary technician after completing her veterinary assisting and technician externships. In March 2014 she graduated from Pima Medical Institute’s Veterinary Technician program and has since become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Kelsey has one cat named Iris, two chihuahuas named Dylan and Rue, and a German Shepherd named Ruby. Kelsey hopes to work with elephants someday.

Breanna Henry, Certified Veterinary Technician

Bre was born in California but her family moved to Mesa, AZ when she was an infant making her essentially an Arizona native. Bre attended Mesa Community College and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology in 2016, and obtained her Certified Veterinary Technician license after passing the exams in 2017. She has worked in emergency medicine and general practice before landing with El Dorado Animal Hospital in September 2018. Bre has two dogs, a Jack Russell terrier named Harlow, and a mixed terrier named Calypso, a Lionhead/Lop mixed breed rabbit named Bun Bun, and a rat named Opal. In her spare time Bre likes baking and camping.

Jessica Tuohy, Technician

Jessica joined El Dorado Animal Hospital in June 2015 as a veterinary technician. She graduated from the veterinary assistant program at Pima Medical Institute and graduated in February 2015 after completing her VA externship at VCA Mesa Animal Hospital in December of 2014. Jessica is planning to continue her education by completing the veterinary technician program online. Jessica has two cats named Penelope and Katnip.

Kamilla Benforte, Technician

Kamilla has tried many things in her life. She is an artist, has owned restaurants and was part of fashion industry in New York and Paris. However, working with animals is definitely where she is meant to be. She completed animal science study at the University of Georgia in 2005. Before joining El Dorado Animal Hospital in August 2016 she spent 4 years working at Sea World and Koala Sanctuary on the Gold Coast (Australia). Kamilla shares her life with her daughters Alessandra and Natalia and their four cats, Neko, Jinx, Pinocchio and Morty, and an American Bulldog named Blue. Art is still a big part of her life and if there is any free time her itchy fingers are constantly looking for a new surface to paint on.

Lacey Markert, Technician

Lacey joined El Dorado Animal Hospital in March 2017 as a veterinary assistant, thinking she may pursue a career in veterinary technology. Lacey is native to Arizona and grew up working with animals in a rescue organization. She has two cats, Bubba and Purdy, who both have feline leukemia virus but are healthy and happy, and a third cat named Sophia. Lacey has a large family and likes to spend time with them, especially late night board games. She also loves camping and hiking. She is currently attending Maricopa County Community College and may be working toward a degree in veterinary technology.

Maria Cini, Veterinary Assistant

Maria is an 11^th grade high school student working for El Dorado Animal Hospital part time since August 2018 helping the technical staff in the treatment area. She is also an EVIT student with a focus in nursing. Her plans are to attend an in-state college and obtain a degree in the health field or law enforcement. Although she was born in the US, Maria’s roots are in Brazil, where her mother is from, and where she spent six months in 2016 as a foreign exchange student. She speaks fluent Portuguese. Maria and her family have four pets, a Jack Russel Terrier mix named Romeo, a tea-cup Chihuahua named Pearl, a cat named Mary Jane and a beta fish named Junior. Marie likes to work with animals, and on her free time likes to travel, hike with friends and family, and enjoys other outdoor activities.

Jenna Roller, Customer Care Representative

Jenna is originally from Indiana, but grew up in the Scottsdale area. Before joining El Dorado in March 2019, Jenna earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Arizona and worked as a nanny. She now lives in Mesa with her boyfriend and their shih tzu, Penny. Jenna spends a lot of her time photographing babies at her small portrait studio, but also loves home improvement projects, escape rooms, and spending time with her family.

Tori Rocke, Customer Care Representative

Tori is a California native who moved to Fountain Hills in March of 2019. Before joining El Dorado Animal Hospital in May of 2019 as a customer care representative, she previously worked at a veterinary surgical practice. Tori graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminology while playing Division I Soccer. In December of 2012, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Masters in Human Relations. Tori has two dogs, a Lab Mix named Gaston and a Great Pyrenees named Leonidas, along with a cat named King Louie.