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. 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.

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

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 Sebastian and Butters.

Jessica Tuohy, Medical Team Manager

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 three cats named Penelope, Harrison and Katnip.

Maria Cini, Technician

Maria joined the El Dorado team in August 2018 starting as an assistant, through her efforts she is now a technician. 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 three pets, a tea-cup Chihuahua named Pearl, a cat named Mary Jane and a beta fish named Junior. Maria likes to work with animals, and on her free time likes to travel, hike with friends and family, and enjoys other outdoor activities.

Lizzy James, Technician

Lizzy was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska with a strong Italian background from her family. In 2007, Lizzy moved to Arizona on her own where she attended Pima Medical Institute to become a Veterinary Technician and graduated in May 2009. Since graduating, she has worked in veterinary hospitals throughout the valley, and has joined the El Dorado team in 2020. Lizzy has 3 pets at home, a Great Dane named Stana and two cats who she rescued as kittens, Garfield and Hilton. When Lizzy isn't working at El Dorado Animal Hospital, she spends most of her time raising her son. Lizzy enjoys hiking all around Arizona, traveling, camping, painting, baking and cooking her famous Italian foods, riding motorcycles, off-roading in Arizona desert trails and taking care of horses in the Rio Verde foothills area.

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 two shih tzus, Penny and Graham. 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.

Sarah Sitz, Customer Care Representative

Sarah is originally from a small town in Minnesota but has lived in Arizona since the young age of three. From a very early age she realized she loved animals and has been involved with everything from rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife to volunteering at animal rescues. She has had many of her own pets and other critters such as horses, goats, chickens and even a cow. She continues her love and passion for animals, especially horses, and has found a happy life working in the veterinary field. Her background is in emergency medicine, but she has found great joy working with all the patients and clients at El Dorado Animal Hospital. She has two “fur babies” herself, a spoiled little tabby cat named Orion and a white three-legged husky named Zeppelin. She enjoys traveling and anything outdoors, such as hiking, camping and fishing, and she enjoys photography. She’s also a huge movie fanatic and loves to build and create with LEGOs. Sarah joined the El Dorado Animal Hospital team in July 2019.