Doctors and Staff

Jas Mattu DVM Dr. Mattu grew up in a farming family with a special love and compassion for animals. He graduated with his Veterinary degree from Punjab Veterinary College in North India and then finished his internship at Iowa State University. To serve his patients better, Dr Mattu has attended and continues to attend various educational courses to enhance his skills in advance medical modalities like Ultrasound, Endoscope, Dentistry, Internal medicine and chronic skin and Ear problems. Dr. Mattu believes that all pets have a special place in our lives, providing us with an irreplaceable relationship. He is very sensitive to the needs of this emotional link. He strives to preserve and enhance this bond for a lifetime. Dr. Mattu takes his time to understand each pet's health needs and their owners' innermost feelings about the care they want for their pet. He customizes each treatment plan, taking into consideration both the pet's needs and the owner's resources to ensure that each and every pet receives the care he or she deserves. Dr. Mattu possesses a special skill to express each pet's medical condition in simple, understandable language so that every owner is in a position to make an informed decision for his or her pet. Dr. Mattu's top priority is to maintain a high quality of life for pets in the Bay Area, and help people make good decisions for their pets, even when they get uncomfortable or difficult. Please feel free to call his Berkeley practice at 510-841-4412, where a staff member will be glad to help you answer any questions you may have about your pet's health.

David Zucker RVT David started in animal husbandry at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. After several years, he moved to Kensington Veterinary Hospital as a veterinary assistant. After two years there, it was time to move - this time to University Veterinary Hospital where he expanded his skills in general practice and developed new ones in the challenges of emergency medicine. Early in 2003 he took on a part time job at Special Veterinary Services, but enjoys retaining UVH as his primary workplace. David has a variety of interests, from spending too much times playing with computers to white water rafting to medival / fantasy combat sports. His 3 cats (Armand who came from the Humane Soc. Sassy who was a feral kitten rescued by one coworker, and Spitz, another kitten rescued from a box of rat poison by yet another coworker) all greatly enjoy their frequent belly rubs.

Lisa Touhy RVT From as far back as she could remember, Lisa always found refuge and friendship in what she affectionately refers to as the "triangular-eared creatures". Countless cats, dogs, fish, a guinea pig, a newt and a frog all have been a part of her life. She’s fostered cats and kittens for many years, plus volunteered with Fix Our Ferals, Hopalong Animal Rescue, and the Oakland Animal Shelter. Lisa went to school at Western Career College where she received her Associate in Science Degree. She attained her R.V.T. license in March 2002. After working for a General Practice in Alameda for about a year, she moved on to University Vet. Now she knows that she’s found a place that she can call home (there’s a cot set up in the back). Lisa lives happily amongst three cats named Henny Boy (Pink Nose Chicken Boy), Chelsea (Miss America), and Bang (Queen of the World). Update: Girl meets dog, a tale of true love. Vern, the refined old gentleman from Utah, was brought home in September of 2008. You can find Lisa and Vern contemplating the sunset together at Cesar Chavez Park, whenever time allows.

Latasha Matthews Receptionist Latasha joined our team in Oct 2007 before working as a Customer Service Manager in an upscale pet boarding facility in Oakland. Latasha has pets named Chevy a Terrier mix and Blue an American Blue Nose Pitbull. Latasha has always been surrounded by pets from having sixteen Rottweilers at one time (her father use to breed them), to horses, iguanas, cats and rabbits. Her passion for animals started when her father brought their first dog home, his name Buckiss, a Rottweiler mix. From that day on her passion for animals continued to grow. Latasha says:"I love this job! Not only because I love animals and people but because I know how it feels to love a pet and lose a pet. I understand the bond between a human and their pet and its one of the most beautiful aspects in life. The individuals that I work with are much like family, we laugh together, we cry together but most of all we all share the passion for animals and we love providing quality care for pets and comfort to their owners, that go home knowing they have a family here at University Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Mattu is one of the best Veterinarians that I've ever met, if I didn't work here I know that he would be on my top list of Veterinarians who would care for my pets. He is not only knowledgeable, he always keeps an open mind and heart when it comes to the needs our animals. He is a great Doctor."

Cassidy RVT Cassidy grew up in a houseful of animals, including 3 sisters and a brother. She started off leaning toward pursuing a career in social work, but the unexpected loss of her kitten, Simba, changed her path. She knew that helping animals was what she was meant to do. She graduated from Western Career College in August of 2008. All that hard work payed off when she passed her state license exam and became an RVT. Cassidy lives with her two kitties, Bella and Fina. We are glad to have had Cassidy at UVH since March of 2008.

Tiffany Assistant Tiffany's love for animals has led her to volunteer at shelters ever since high school. While completing her degree in Molecular Environmental Biology and Psychology at UC Berkeley, she started working part time at University Veterinary Hospital. Her love for animals and keen sense of humor made her a perfect fit for the clinic. While she hopes to proceed on to veterinary school in the future, she is enjoying herself at UVH, learning a great deal and getting to know the patients and clients. Tiffany lives with a fireball cat named Mobbey.

Maui Many of our clients have already had the pleasure of meeting the newest addition to the UVH family, Maui. In July 2009 Maui came to us with a severely fractured leg which would require extensive surgical repair. After much consideration, Maui's previous owners found that the surgery and aftercare were beyond their means and made the difficult decision to euthanize him. This, however, didn't happen. Instead of euthanizing Maui, his owners agreed to let us adopt him as our newest “house cat.” We, in turn, would give him the treatment and care that he required. After the first of two surgeries, Maui was in a cast and had to be kept on bed rest. Once he had healed enough for his cast to be removed, he adapted very well to his new home, and quickly became the king of the hospital. In the morning Maui can be heard meowing and howling, not because he is hungry, or cold, or lonely, but just because he can. He loves all the different hiding spots that can be found around the hospital, and is always finding new things to play with, even if he isn't supposed to. Free to roam in and out of his cage, Maui wanders about trying to make friends with the boarding and hospitalized animals. We at University Vet Hospital absolutely love this silly cat. He is always entertaining us by pawing at water from the faucet in the sink, turning his water bowl upside down, attacking anything that dangles such as leashes and ecg leads, crying for no apparent reason, and flaunting his flamboyant scarves. Find Maui on Facebook (“Maui UVH,” or maui@uvhberkeley.com) and befriend him, he loves meeting new people!

Past staff members
Esmerelda Boss Woman Meow. Meow meow.... purr!!! What can I say? At 17 years, I no longer can be a blood donor, though through my life here I've certainly given enough times to help other cats! I used to hang out in the neighborhood, but the wind chills my bones, and I no longer climb on top of the building and survey my lands from that high perch. Instead, I am content to appropriate any convenient chair, and tough shakes to any who need at the charts! Spring '04, Essie was euthanized, having dealt with chronic renal failure for a while. Essie will always be remembered as a great little kitty, and she will life in our hearts forever.

Blackie Floor Inspector I was another neighborhood stray. There where enough local cats that chased me off so I couldn't get enough to eat! I mean, I was making Ally McBeal look like a porker! So these folks put out a trap, but some other cat got to the food first! So they tried again, and again - until I was the only cat left! Since then I've been indoors only, and I've really filled out. I think they keep the place too clean because there aren't any mice for me to chase and work off the centimeters! But I earn my keep - someone has to get down here to point out all the spills and things. I tell yah... Some of these dogs really aren't housebroken! In 2006, my renal disease finally cought up with me, but my spirit continues to wonder the cages.

George T Bradley, III The Poopinator Sorry, Lisa came up with that title Hello. My name is george. Burrr. In my former life, I lived in a house where my diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and complete and absolute inability to groom myself nearly led to my death until I convinced some suckers at the veterinary hospital to adopt me. Here, I pretend I'm the guardian angel of the patients, wandering into their cages or walking under the noses of really large dogs to make sure they're a-ok. I may smell a bit, since I seem to think litter boxes and bath tubs look alike, but that's ok - they like it. Well, maybe just Lisa likes it. Summer of 2009 Georges multiple issues caught up with him and he passed away. When we got George, he had inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, bartonella, and several other issues; none of which slowed him down in the years he lived here. You can read a memorial letter Lisa wrote here.