Dr Mattu, DVM

Medical Director

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, endoscopy, 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.

Dr. Fosbender, BVSc

Veterinarian

Dr. Laura Fosbender grew up just outside Chicago and earned a BA in History from Carleton College. In 1998, she moved to San Francisco, where she spent several years working in various software and analytical roles for startups and the University of California system while she volunteered with dogs and cats in her free time.

Her love of pets and their people, along with an interest in medicine, lead her to pursue veterinary school (and a bit of adventure) at Massey University in New Zealand. She joined the team at University Veterinary Hospital in December 2014.

Dr. Fosbender has a special interest in internal medicine and feline medicine. Her goal as a vet is to improve the quality of life for pets and their people by empowering people to make informed decisions about their pets’ health. She is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Veterinary Information Network and local veterinary associations.

When she’s not at University Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Fosbender spends her time reading fiction, running slowly but steadily, and telling anyone who will listen that they should be watching The Americans. Although previously an avowed dog person, she now lives in West Berkeley with two beloved cats – Emily and Dulcinea.

Dr. Mike Sozanski, DVM

Veterinarian

Mike Sozanski DVM, Dip. ABVP did his undergraduate and veterinary education at Cornell University. He has practiced in the Bay Area since 1980 and has been board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in small animal practice since 1988.

He is experienced in all aspects of small animal medicine, dentistry, and surgery. Outside of Veterinary medicine, he is a runner, swimmer, photographer, and web developer, developing a website for veterinary emergency and anesthetic drug calculations, vetcalculators.com.

Dr. Rebeccah Landman, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Rebeccah Landman has worn a few hats in her life. Trained first as an archaeologist, she spent six years traveling the world uncovering the mysteries of the ancient world. Trading trowel for a stethoscope, she returned to her childhood passion for veterinary medicine. As a veterinarian, she is not only able to explore the mysteries of animal medicine but also keeps important members of our family happy and healthy.

Dr. Landman received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the UC Davis School of Veterinary in May 2016 and worked in Sonora after graduation. While she enjoyed mountain living, Dr. Landman missed the Bay Area.

Dr. Landman is excited to have joined the team at University Veterinary Hospital in October 2019. Her professional interests include wellness/preventative medicine, small animal medicine, and dermatology. While at UC Davis, Dr. Landman dedicated time to researching the connection between human and animal health. She worked on projects studying rodent-borne zoonotic diseases and started a One Health program in Nicaragua, supporting community-led initiatives to promote poultry and bovine health. A long time goal for her is to continue participating in community outreach projects, both locally and globally, supporting the inextricable link between animal welfare, human health, and ecological conservation.

In her free time, she likes to explore the many incredible local hiking trails with her dog Barley (a border collie/cattle dog mix and an ARF rescue). Dr. Landman also has a passion for traveling whether it’s hopping on a plane to explore distant lands or exploring the local wonders that the Bay Area offers. However, most important to her outside of work is spending quality time with her family and being Aunt Beccah to her amazing nieces and nephews.

Holly, RVT

Veterinary Technician

Holly grew up in Turlock, California with many adopted feathered and four-legged friends that she had found on farms, on the streets, in pounds, and through the rescue groups that she and her parents worked with. She grew up wanting to be a veterinarian and spent one exchange year in New Zealand during high school living on a sheep farm and volunteering for a mixed-practice veterinarian there.

During her year in New Zealand, the travel bug struck and her interest in different cultures began to take over. Her first college years were spent at UC Berkeley obtaining BA’s in Ethnic Studies and Anthropology, with a minor in Native American Studies. After graduation, she went to live in Guatemala and Argentina for a year. In Argentina, she worked with underprivileged nursery school children in shanty towns in the mornings and taught English to middle school children in the afternoons. Back in the United States, she spent a year working in the Four Corners area on land, water, and sovereignty rights with Native American and Mexican American people. She then returned to the Bay Area to work with several other non-profits.

After a time, she decided to reinvestigate going to veterinary school. She volunteered at the Marine Mammal Center in Marin for a few years, then she started working at a veterinary practice as a receptionist and technician while she went to CSU-Hayward to get her BS in Biology.

Prior to coming to University Veterinary Hospital, she worked as a veterinary technician for 18 years, working in both general practices and emergency hospitals. She became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2009.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, dancing, reading and being a homebody with her four-legged dog Kylie, her three-legged dog Apple and Millie a special needs cat with radial agenesis.
At University Veterinary Hospital, she feels like she has found her calling and loves to care for our dog and cat patients. She would love to meet your pet!

Mirna, RVT

Veterinary Technician

Mirna’s love for animals started very young after an 8-week-old Chow Chow named Lassie came into her life and helped her overcome her fears of dogs. Ever since her furry friend entered her life, she has committed her life to helping and loving animals.

Mirna graduated from Western Career College with her Associates in Science.

Mirna is a very bubbly, joyful personality who is very compassionate and loving. For her, getting to know you and your pet is not only an honor but an amazing chance to build a relationship with new friends. She says, ‘My pitbull Senorita teaches me new things every day, and that’s what I love about my job — being able to learn new things that can help me understand our beloved friends even more and help them!’

Mirna started working at UVH several years ago, and would love to see your pet!

Kristin

Client Service Representative

Kristin was born and raised in the East Bay Area. While she has a background and degree in art and graphic design, animals have always been a huge part of her life and throughout has had many kinds – hamsters, fish, birds, cats, and dogs. In fall of 2017 while living in Savannah, GA, she rescued an incredibly sweet, pregnant, FIV-positive cat off the streets and named her Riley. Taking care of the six-kitten litter until they were old enough for adoption was one of the most rewarding and fun experiences! Kristin relocated back to the Bay Area in Dec 2018 (with Riley, of course), decided to focus on her love of animals, and was accepted into the UVH team. In her free time she enjoys hiking, drawing, playing video games, and watching horror movies. In her eleven years of customer service this has been her favorite position and it’s all thanks to your lovely, wonderful pets that she can’t wait to meet.