Meet the Staff

Joel Conn, DVM

Owner, Practice Administrator, Veterinarian

Joel was born and raised in Blacksburg, Virginia but migrated to California with the rest of his family following high school. He attended college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2002. Joel went on to receive his doctorate at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006, following an externship in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York. Joel’s primary interests include surgery and internal medicine.

Ever since childhood, Joel has had a passion for working with and helping animals and has wanted to be a veterinarian since the age of five. Joel is a member of the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach/Five Cities, a board member since 2010, the 2015/16 club President, and the 2024/25 club President. He traveled to India in 2016 as part of a medical ambassadorship to assist with NID (National Immunization Day) activities aimed to eradicate polio worldwide. He was a 2009-2012 board member of the Mid Coast Veterinary Medical Association and 2012 President of the Central Coast Professional’s Network. Since 2014, Dr. Joel has served as a Purina Veterinary Ambassador, receiving regular advanced training in veterinary clinical nutrition. In the past few years, Joel has worked with local Rotary and Rotaract Clubs, the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pismo Beach to fundraise and host several Rise Against Hunger food packaging events. In 2017, he was honored with The San Luis Obispo Tribune “Top 20 Under 40” award. In 2019, Dr. Joel was selected to be part of Leadership SLO, a county-wide leadership development and training program. In late 2019, Dr. Joel was invited to join the board of directors for Lumina Alliance, an organization devoted to providing support and resources to end domestic and intimate partner violence in SLO county. In 2020 he was honored to be elected Vice President of the Lumina Alliance board. Dr. Joel regularly provides consulting services for research firms investigating trends and practices in the veterinary field.

In 2016, Dr. Joel founded PETS Hospital in Orcutt, CA. PETS is a 24/7 emergency and specialty animal hospital that focuses on the customer experience and developing a collaborative partnership with area general practice veterinarians. His hope is to expand the facility to offer an ever increasing array of specialty services including Cardiology, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Emergency and Critical Care. For more information, go to petsurgentcare.com.

In 2010, Joel helped found Central Coast Ultimate - an organization dedicated promoting ultimate on the Central Coast. He now organizes 5-6 pickup games per week, annual local ultimate leagues, tournaments, and club teams. He regularly competes in regional, national, and international club tournaments and championships. Joel lives in Pismo Beach with his wife, Dr. Sarah Conn; his sons, Jude and Jackson; and his cat, Pickles With Milk.

Deanna Brown, DVM

Owner, Medical Director, Veterinarian

Deanna was born and raised in Long Island, New York but relocated to California with her family in the 80’s. She is a graduate of U.C. Davis receiving her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. During her time at UCD, Dr. Brown focused her studies primarily on small animal Emergency/Critical Care and soft tissue surgery and was the president of the student chapter of the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Society.

Dr. Brown spent 10 years as one of the primary ER veterinarians in Arroyo Grande prior to joining her classmate, Joel Conn, DVM at his new facility, PETS Hospital. Dr. Brown enjoys all aspects of ER medicine, and particularly enjoys being able to interact with the clients and patients in their time of need.

Dr. Brown resides in Pismo Beach, California and in her (rare) off time, can be seen wine tasting, hiking or playing at the beach with her dog, Penny. If you run into her, please say Hi!

Michelle Wright, CVPM, SHRM

Hospital Administrator

Michelle moved to the Central Coast from the Fresno area in 2008. It had been her lifelong dream to live on the coast. She and her daughters, Katelyn and Megan, have enjoyed the SLO life after their move to Atascadero. In 2015 she married her husband, Ethan, and moved to Arroyo Grande where her family grew to include his son Ethan and his now wife Danyele. Michelle began her career in the medical insurance field and quickly moved from claims processing to Regional Customer Service management. Opting for a life change, she moved to Ophthalmology clinic management for 3 years before joining Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic and PETS Hospital. Her customer service and personnel skills are put to good use daily ensuring every patient and staff member is treated with care and their experience is satisfying and rewarding for all who visit.

When not spending time snuggling with Barney: poodle/shih tzu mix, or Baby: calico shorthair kitten or T’Chala and Shuri; black short hair kittens; she and her family love to travel, explore new foods, cook, walk on the beach, watch movies and read.

Yoneko Tamaki

Office Manager

Yoneko was born and raised on the Central Coast. While going to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, CA she started volunteering full time with a dog rescue. It was during that time that she discovered a desire to pursue a career in Animal Wellness. In 2009 Yoneko started working for a group of Equine Veterinarians in Murrieta, CA and has been in the Veterinary field ever since. With a move in 2012 back to the Central Coast, she immediately started working for a local small animal veterinary clinic. Additionally, she has provided relief work to several local veterinary clinics, volunteered with non-profit organizations benefiting animal rescue programs, and participated in numerous Career Days for local elementary and middle schools.

Yoneko has worked as a kennel, CSR, Vet Assistant, Surgical Assistant, Dept. Lead (Exam Room and Pharmacy), and Dept. Supervisor (CSR) - she has moved quickly learning all she can in her multiple roles. She is passionate about animal advocacy and doing her part to support the bonds between people and their companion pets.

When not providing her expertise to the veterinary world she loves to go Rockhounding, hiking with Max (the most perfect German Shorthair Pointer), camping, reading and enjoying quality food with good friends.

Jacob Bryan, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Jacob Bryan was born and raised in Logansport, Indiana. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Animal Sciences and biology, respectively, at Purdue University. Dr. Bryan graduated from Western University of Health Sciences with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, he returned to his hometown to work as a mixed animal practitioner, but it wasn't long before he moved back to sunny California. In his spare time, Dr. Bryan volunteers for the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institution (CIMWI), rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Laurin Funk, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Laurin was born and raised in Massachusetts and obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She went on to obtain her DVM from Kansas State University in 2011. Dr. Funk has been working in emergency medicine since that time.

Laurin enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and friends. She has 3 cats: Doug, Teddy, and Bailey and a Pit Bull named Patty.

Carly Gerhardt, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Bio Coming Soon!

Leslie Sklena, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Leslie Sklena is a California native who earned her BS degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly in 2004 and her DVM from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada in 2009. After shoveling snow from her driveway for the last time, she returned home to practice primary care for companion animals. Dr. Sklena transitioned from general practice to a rewarding career in shelter medicine where she spent over 10 years providing health care to underserved animals in San Diego and beyond.

Dr. Sklena remains passionate about teaching the next generation of veterinary professionals, and continues to travel domestically and internationally to coach students on humane and efficient techniques of general anesthesia and surgery. This transition to urgent care medicine loops back to the days prior to veterinary school when Dr. Sklena was an RVT working late nights at an ER. I guess you could say that she has always been hooked and is happy to be back in the ER.

Her free time is either spent doing work on the house (fixer-upper), riding horses, or doing absolutely nothing but hanging out with her husband and menagerie of pets.

Kathleen Yang, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Coming soon!

Dr. David Pelio, DVM, ACVIM

Cardiologist

Dr. David Pelio grew up in New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Pepperdine University in California, and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Oregon State University. Following his residency he became Board Certified in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Cardiology. After veterinary school, he pursued and completed advanced training as a cardiology intern and resident with Coast to Coast Cardiology. His clinical interests include cardiology, oncology, and internal medicine, and he has presented research at a national conference regarding the effects of chemotherapy on dogs with cardiac tumors. Dr. Pelio is enthusiastic about honing his echocardiographic diagnoses of acquired and congenital heart disease, ECG analysis, and interventional procedures.

In his spare time, Dr. Pelio enjoys working out, martial arts, DJing, and cooking. He has an adorable and affectionate cat named Furry Corsten who he found on the streets of Corvallis, Oregon while attending veterinary school, and Paisley the lovable Pomeranian. They instantly became best friends and have been inseparable ever since.

Thomas J. Morrison DVM, ACVIM

Cardiologist

Doctor T.J. Morrison, Founder of Coast to Coast Cardiology, is honored to provide cardiology specialty care to all animals on behalf of their human companions and referring veterinarians. The team effort, which includes the clients, their family veterinarian, fellow veterinary specialists, and Doctor Morrison, allows for the best possible cardiac care for our beloved animals. Doctor Morrison has practiced Veterinary Cardiology on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean Coasts.

Doctor Morrison received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Doctor Morrison completed his residency in Veterinary Cardiology at Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. His intense training during this time focused on advanced diagnostic interpretation of electrophysiology, echocardiography, and especially minimally-invasive interventional procedures, commonly performing patent ductus arteriosus occlusions, balloon valvuloplasties and pacemaker implantation and interrogations. He obtained Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, specializing in Cardiology.

Doctor Morrison continued his practice of Veterinary Cardiology in Denver, Colorado, followed by a move to Southern California where he founded Coast to Coast Cardiology, practicing cardiology out of a variety of state-of-the-art veterinary referral hospitals. In 2013, he was appointed locum Veterinary Cardiology Clinician at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, overseeing the Cardiology Department, instructing and teaching cardiology residents and veterinary students.

His other interests include running, having successfully completed the 2012 Boston Marathon, back-country telemark skiing, having camped throughout Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division Hut system, and learning to surf and fly.

For more information about Dr. Morrison and his team of cardiologists and staff, please go to https://www.cccvetservice.com/

Dan Terhaar, DVM

Veterinarian

Dan grew up on a farm in Minnesota with five brothers. After spending time in the army, he obtained a bachelors degree in engineering from the University of Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993.

Dan has been an emergency medicine clinician since 1995, alternating between the Visalia and the Arroyo Grande emergency hospitals. Since 2001, Dan has owned and operated a mobile surgical practice, providing soft tissue and orthopedic surgical services for Central Coast veterinary hospitals. His special interests include: fracture repair, reconstructive surgery, and cruciate ligament injuries.

When not working, Dan can be found enjoying the outdoors, farming, and beekeeping.