Our Veterinary Team
Angel Miller, DVM
Dr. Angel Miller enjoys all aspects of surgery. She has a special interest in orthopedics, fracture repair, cruciate ligament rupture repair, reconstructive surgery, and various soft tissue surgeries. She enjoys tackling our most challenging mass removal cases and collaborates with local oncologists to help develop treatment plans with the mutual goal of keeping your beloved pet with you for as long as possible. Dr. Miller’s goal is to always offer the best and most current treatment options for her patients. This goal has also driven her interest in offering a combined medical and holistic approach to her treatment plans.
Dr. Miller received her undergraduate degree and doctorate in veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University. She did her rotating internship at South Paws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center in Virginia. She completed her surgical internship at Animal Specialty & Emergency Center in Santa Monica, California. Then, she finished her surgical residency at VCA West Coast Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital in Fountain Valley, California. After completing her residency Dr. Miller was a team member in a large VCA specialty hospital for four years. She gained valuable experience during this time but ultimately became frustrated with the corporate structure. She has been dedicated to surgery for over 10 years. She now enjoys spending time with her 2 Yorkies, working out, and being a mentor to our veterinary staff.
Dimitar Palikarov, DVM
Dr. Dimitar Palikarov was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria. He has been practicing as a full-time Veterinarian in a small animal clinic since 2012. Soon thereafter, he strived to further his career in veterinary medicine by pursuing his profession in the United States. His U.S. career started at a very high-volume Urgent Care practice, exposing him to a wide variety of complicated cases. After three years there, he naturally progressed and transferred to working in an ER full-time at a different hospital. During this period, his natural interest in surgery continued to develop, taking on multiple emergency cases and progressing towards orthopedic surgeries as well.
He continues his education on his own time, attending many continuing education courses. Eventually, Dr. Palikarov met Dr. Borostyankoi at a surgical conference, and they immediately clicked, which naturally led him to decide to join the team at IEVSS/BRVSS. In his free time, Dr. Palikarov likes to spend time with his family, go snowboarding, and create through woodworking.
Shannon Gross
Director of Operations
Shannon began her career in veterinary medicine as a doctor’s assistant in a multi-specialty practice in Fountain Valley. That is where she met Dr. Frank Borostyankoi (Dr. B), an already accomplished and respected veterinary surgeon. Dr. B recognized her eagerness to learn everything she could about his beloved profession and happily became her mentor. In 2015, Dr. B left the practice in Fountain Valley and asked Shannon to join him in his next business venture. She eagerly agreed and never looked back. Dr. B went on to open two successful surgical practices, BRVSS and IEVSS, with Shannon as his practice manager. As the business grew, so did her responsibilities, and she was made Director of Operations for BRVSS and IEVSS. In her free time, she enjoys concerts, boating, and spending time with loved ones. Shannon and her husband, Randy, are proud parents of one son, Jacob, and four fur daughters, Rhodesian Ridgebacks Savannah, Parker, and Dallas, and the real boss of the family, a chihuahua named Charlotte.
Danielle Franco
Hospital Manager
With a career spanning from emergency care to specialized veterinary services, Danielle brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field. Starting in emergency medicine, she quickly expanded her expertise across specialties, including Internal Medicine Coordinator, Oncology Coordinator, and Surgery Coordinator. This diverse background has equipped Danielle with a deep understanding of patient care and the intricacies of specialty practice management. Danielle is a true animal lover who cherishes all creatures — from furry companions to cold-blooded reptiles.
Angela Toth
Registered Veterinarian Technician
Angela is an RVT and has been with IEVSS since April 2024. Angela has devoted herself to general practice, emergency, and now surgical specialty veterinary medicine. She has over 15 years of collective experience. Angela takes pride in caring for our amazing patients as if they were her own. She is owned by two dogs, two cats, and a sulcata tortoise that keeps things pretty active and interesting while at home. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, and cooking.
Ashley Goldberg
Ashley is one of our overnight technicians here at IEVS and has been with us for two years. She has been in the veterinary field for approximately fifteen years. Ashley is owned by two German shepherds/mal mixes and three cats. She also has a beautiful daughter, who is her mini-me.
Shawna Taylor
Registered Veterinary Technician | Referral Coordinator
With twenty years of experience in Veterinary Medicine, Shawna has built a career centered on compassionate care and support for pets and their owners. A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) since 2020, Shawna has been part of the IEVSS team since 2021, where she has worked as both an RVT and a referral coordinator. Passionate about providing a smooth and supportive referral journey for clients, she ensures their pets receive the best possible care throughout their healing process. Shawna is also Fear Free Certified, a credential reflecting her commitment to reducing animal stress and anxiety.
Outside of work, she enjoys quality time with her husband and two children, along with their two
cats and two dogs.
Jacqueline Barranco
Registered Veterinary Technician
Jacqueline started her career in veterinary medicine in 2017, becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 2022. Throughout her career, she developed her skills and knowledge of Emergency Medicine, General Practice, Exotic Animal Care, Surgery, and Client Education. She joined the team here at IEVSS in 2023, eager to provide the best care possible to our patients. She treats all her patients with compassion and advocates for their overall well-being and care. She is trained in Fear Free handling and certified as a Cat Friendly Professional through AAFP and RECOVER: CPR certified in basic and advanced life support.
Jacqueline always had a love for animals. Welcoming animals into her home, whether to rehabilitate or as loving pets. She has everything from cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, rats, and even a few Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches! She enjoys her days off by cuddling with her pack, catching soccer games with her family, and sharing her love of nature with loved ones.
Gabriel Acosta
Registered Veterinary Technician
Gabriel began his journey in Veterinary Medicine in 2012 as a Veterinary Assistant. Starting in General Practice he was given the opportunity to learn the fundamentals, technical skills and case knowledge to apply great care not only to pets, but to clients as well. After a few years in general practice he would move on to test himself at a 24 hour Emergency Clinic. Now a Veterinarian Technician, his skills and knowledge would increase greatly having dealt with situations ranging from swollen face bee stings to active CPR for crashing patients. He has received Certification as a Cat Friendly Professional through AAFP, trained in Fear Free Handling and also earned his RVT License. But what he really found a passion for was a branch of the hospital called Nursing Care. It is here where sick patients would go for treatments, some
in dire conditions, but with a little medicine, and a lot of love they get to go home with their family as happy as can be. It is that extra attention and detail to a patient’s overall care that
brought him to IEVSS. Here we can take our time with our pets and be with them from start to finish giving them and our clients the reassurance that they are in capable and loving hands.
In his spare time at home, he enjoys watching movies with his family, listening to and playing music, and playtime with his three dogs, Rocco, Mara, and Relic, and cat, Dalia. His outdoor activities included going to sports games, concerts and hiking.
Angel Morales
Registered Veterinary Technician
Angel is a dedicated Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with nine years of experience in the field. Passionate about providing top-quality care, Angel plays a crucial role in assisting veterinarians in surgery, ensuring patient safety, and educating pet owners about post-operative care.
Outside of work, Angel enjoys cooking, baking, and hosting gatherings. A devoted animal lover, Angel cherishes time with her own pets, ensuring they receive the same level of care and
attention given to patients at work. With a love for both animal care and hospitality, Angel balances a fulfilling career with creating warm, welcoming experiences for friends, family, and furry companions.
Danny Keena
Danny has been in Veterinarian Medicine since 2017 and started as our day technician. Now part of our overnight staff, Danny continues taking care of our healing patients. Danny has been with IEVSS since 2022. He has two orange tabby cats and a pet snake.
Robin Munoz
Registered Veterinary Technician
Robin’s heart beats for animals, particularly cats, fueling her ultimate dream: to help fur babies. Her companions, Mora and Carmela, aren’t just pets; they’re the reigning royalty of her life. Robin is an RVT and has seven years of experience in the field. She graduated from Carrington College in 2022 at the top of her class, but that’s not all — she’s also a passionate traveler, a devoted yogi, a photographer, has a love for dance, and a live music lover, and let’s not forget, she’s a die-hard Los Angeles Dodgers fan!
Kristina Miranda
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kristina is our supervising technician. She has been with IEVSS since before the doors opened in 2021. She has been practicing Veterinary Medicine since 2012 and has been a Registered Veterinary Technician since 2015.
Kristina and her husband Raul have one dog (Vraska) and three cats (Kershaw, Lucille, and Bontu). In her spare time, she enjoys maintaining a physical fitness routine and, when the weather is warm, paddle boarding. Her favorite part of this job is witnessing the human-animal bond. We are all so different, but we all treat our cats and dogs as family.