About Us
Hope Veterinary Oncology is the only independent, woman-owned veterinary oncology practice in Southern California.
Meet our wonderful team below!
Dr. Lori Cesario
Board-Certified Veterinary Oncologist
Dr. Cesario is originally from Long Island, NY. She received a Bachelor's degree in animal bioscience from Penn State University before attending veterinary school at Ross University and completing a clinical year and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After veterinary school, she completed a one-year rotating internship at the University of Illinois, followed by a one-year oncology internship at NC State. She then moved back to the Midwest to complete a three-year medical oncology residency at Michigan State.
In 2013 she moved to California to practice oncology and has worked in specialty clinics as a staff oncologist and locum oncologist in Ventura and throughout California.
She is passionate about giving pets with cancer the best quality (and longest length) of life possible and has sought out advanced training to help provide this for her patients. She is also very passionate about hospitality in healthcare and understands that a cancer diagnosis in a pet is something that the entire family experiences. Her goal at Hope is to improve the experience for everyone involved.
When she takes a break from working on or in her business, she enjoys hiking in the beautiful Ojai Valley, plant-based cooking, and just having some downtime :)
PUBLICATIONS:
1. Clinical prognostic factors in canine histocytic sarcoma. Dervisis NG, Kiupel M, Qin Q, Cesario L. Vet Comp Oncol. 2017 Dec;15(4):1171-1180.
2. Clinical features, treatment options, and outcome in dogs with thymoma: 116 cases (1999-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013 Nov 15;243(10):1448-54.
3. Diagnosis and ultrasonographic appearance of hepatic metastasis in six cases of canine appendicular osteosarcoma (2002-2013). L Cesario, LD Garrett, AM Barger, RT O'Brien, TM Fan. Aust Vet J. 2016 May;94(5):160-5
AFFILIATIONS:
1. Veterinary Cancer Society
2. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
3. Santa Barbara Ventura Veterinary Medical Association
CERTIFICATIONS:
1. Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
2. Fear Free® Certified Veterinary Professional
Meet Our Team
Each of our team members is a Fear Free® Certified Veterinary Professional!
Listed in order of hire date
Client Hospitality Specialist
Rachel Hernandez
Rachel was born and raised in Ventura County. She graduated from California State University of San Bernardino in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health.
Throughout undergrad, she interned as a Health Specialist for San Bernardino County. Rachel has 3 years of Client Service background where she maintained positive relationships and provided excellent Client Support.
She is passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle and caring for those in need. She enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and trying new coffee shops in her spare time. At home, she has two adorable Pomeranians named Oli and Clyde.
Oncology Technician, CVT
Devon Detwiler
Devon has had a passion for animals her entire life. She lived in southeastern Pennsylvania until moving to Los Angeles county in May 2025.
She has been working in the veterinary field since 2015, starting in general practice, then obtaining her CVT license in 2016. She began working in medical oncology in 2019 at a specialty practice in PA, and is excited to continue to hone her skills at Hope Veterinary Oncology.
Devon is passionate about advocating for pets and giving them the best and most compassionate care possible, as well as providing support for their families.
Devon also has a love of nature and enjoys hiking and camping. When she is indoors, she spends her spare time drawing, writing and reading. She has a 14 year old cat named Suki and a 2 year old Great Dane named Byleth.
Oncology Technician, RVT
Sam Patera
Samantha is a Los Angeles native who moved to Santa Barbara in 2012 to pursue her B.S. in Zoology at UCSB.
She knew she would pursue a career in animal medicine at a young age, and has grown up with many cats, dogs, fish, and rodents at home. She currently has two cats named Lincoln and Alastor.
She’s worked in the veterinary field since 2019, working mainly in ER and ICU medicine until 2026. She attained her RVT license in 2022, and is excited to continue her career at Hope Veterinary Oncology.
Samantha also teaches colorguard at several local high schools and at the non-profit organization Infinity Winterguard. She’s a Disney lover, an avid crafter, and loves theater and music.
Patient & Oncology Care Coordinator
Crystal Monroe
Crystal brings over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine to Hope Veterinary Oncology.
An Air Force veteran with a deep passion for animal welfare and pet owner advocacy, Crystal is dedicated to supporting families through every step of their pet’s cancer care journey.
Outside the clinic, Crystal enjoys spending time at the beach and stand up paddle boarding, and maintains a saltwater reef tank as a coral collector.
At home, she’s kept busy by three dogs — Mason (beagle), Luffy (schnauzer mix), and Walter (toy poodle) — and one cat, Cosmo, who runs the show.
Oncology Technician
Jenny Alaniz
Jenny was born and raised in Santa Barbara and has always had a deep passion for working with animals.From working with livestock animals to small cats and dogs, she’s done it all. Jenny raised cattle through her local 4-H program, and still helps her parents run a small cattle farming business in Mexico.
Jenny received her Bachelors of Animal Science degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2022. Throughout her undergrad, Jenny was heavily involved in multiple animal clubs and programs, more specifically in animal production classes.
During Jenny’s free time she enjoys going to sports games, working out, hiking, running, and spending as much time with her pets as possible.
Client Hospitality Specialist
Val Gallagher
Val was born and raised in Southern California.
Her love for animals began with her parents, who taught her from childhood that the family dog was truly part of the family.
Although she is new to the veterinary field, Val has been actively involved in animal rescue since 2020.
With a background in the salon industry, she feels right at home caring for clients and their pets here at Hope.
In her free time, you’ll find her volunteering at The Humane Society of Ventura County or hiking with her own dogs.
Oncology Technician
Sam Camacho
A Ventura county native, Sam has been working in the veterinary field for over six years and has had the opportunity to work across multiple specialties throughout her career. These experiences have allowed her to develop a well-rounded understanding of veterinary medicine while continuing to grow her knowledge and skills.
She is passionate about veterinary medicine and providing compassionate care to both patients and their families. She especially enjoys the opportunity to continue learning and expanding her experience within the field.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys baking, creating floral arrangements, and spending time with her two cats, Pepperoni and Pickles. She loves finding creative outlets in her free time and, of course, spoiling her cats.
Client Hospitality Specialist
Melissa Price
Melissa Price brings more than 20 years of veterinary healthcare operations experience to Hope Veterinary Oncology, including roles as Hospital Operations Manager at Vetco Total Care and Practice Manager with Banfield Pet Hospital. She holds a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Organization & Management and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, both from the University of South Florida.
Melissa is also pursuing further education in animal behavior, drawing on her own case study experience and the work of respected voices like Karen Pryor, Victoria Stilwell, and Dr. Sophia Yin. Her passion extends beyond the clinic — from shelters and rescues with limited resources to pets already in loving homes — focused on helping people better understand what animals truly need for longer, more comfortable lives.
Outside of work, Melissa is a military spouse and mom who shares her home with five rescue dogs, each at a different stage of behavioral rehabilitation — a passion project that keeps her hands-on with the work she believes in most.
As Jane Goodall put it, "Only if we understand can we care." Melissa carries that belief into every relationship — showing clients that she truly sees their pet as part of the family, staying present with them through diagnosis, treatment decisions, and the emotional weight that comes with each, so no one has to face it alone.