Dr. Mike Ina
CEO/Veterinarian
Since I was a young boy, I have always known I wanted to be a veterinarian. My only other desire was to be a jockey because of my love of horses. That option was abandoned when I grew too tall in high school. I grew up in the Richmond district of San Francisco since I was in high school. I immediately went into UC Davis after high school.
While completing my degree in Wildlife & Fishery, I started working at Arguello Pet Hospital as an animal caretaker in 1970. I continued working part time at the hospital while completing my DVM degree. Many clients have known me since my early days and I have seen many of their pets throughout their lifespan.
I take sincere pride in the growth and changes that have occurred since I took over Arguello in 1982, thanks to my entire staffs commitment to quality medicine, service and care.
While the hospital has grown, I have raised 2 girls (21 & 18) with my wife, Vickie. We've had many pets (Akitas, English setters, guinea pigs, etc.) and presently have Chibi, a poodle, Hobbs an abyssinian cat, and Jake, a Derbian parrot. My love of animals and the outdoors is also in my personal life. I fish, scuba dive, ski and camp with family and friends.
Dr. Perry Heffelfinger
Veterinarian
I have worked at Arguello since Jan. 1987. Having grown up in San Francisco, though, I have been associated with the hospital for many years. My family's pets have been cared for by the staff at Arguello ever since I was a child.
I studied Biology as an undergraduate at Harvard. In the course of my studies I chose veterinary medicine as a career because it combined my interests in medicine and zoology and my love of animals. I graduated from veterinary school at Cornell in 1985 and after a couple of years in mixed (large and small animal) practice I returned to San Francisco to concentrate in small
animal medicine and surgery at Arguello.
My interests outside of veterinary medicine include reading, biking (my means of commuting to work), competitive rowing, and backpacking. I share my home with my husband, Carey, two not always well behaved golden retrievers, Fiona and Steal, and a very old cat named Willow. I also enjoy doing pet assisted therapy with my goldens at a local nursing home and hospital.
Despite their not so perfect behavior, the dogs are always welcomed at these visits.
Dr. Joseph Fong
Veterinarian
My interest in veterinary medicine began here at Arguello Pet Hospital over 7 years ago when I was working as a technician. Under the auspices of Mike Ina and Perry Heffelfinger, I found a career that incorporated my interest in science, love of animals, and interest in helping people. While in vet school, both Mike and Perry served as my mentors.
I graduated from U.C Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in June of 2000 with an emphasis in small animal medicine. I earned my undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1993 where I majored in Integrative Biology and minored in Asian American Studies. I grew up in San Francisco where I attended high school at Saint Ignatius. It is very nice to return to the Bay Area after spending four years in the heat of the central valley.
I currently have two dogs, Keta ( a Great Dane) and Tonka (a shepherd cross.) Both were rescued from animal shelters. My interest outside of veterinary medicine includes billiards, hiking, and taking the dogs to Fort Funston.
Dr. Leslie Shockley
Veterinarian
Dr. Shockley is a graduate of Purdue University. She just started at the practice in May 2001.
Arguello Pet Hospital
