Dr. Gayle R. Roberts Dr. Gayle Roberts graduated from Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights. She attended UC Davis for 8 years, earning her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 1976 and her DVM in 1980. Dr. Roberts has practiced in Orange County ever since. She loves working with all animals, and even served as park veterinarian at Lion Country Safari. She was staff doctor at Crown Valley Animal Hospital when she gained national notoriety for her care and work with the pelicans that were maimed off of Dana Point in 1982 and 1983. Dr. Roberts received the Lorne Greene New Wilderness Award for this work. She then worked in the referral surgical practice that did the beak prostheses on the pelicans for just over a year. She purchased Northwood Animal Hospital in 1986. Dr. Roberts especially enjoys surgery, dentistry and working with exotic animals. DVM, CVA Associate Veterinarian Lisa Lisa is a Veterinary Assistant at Northwood Animal Hospital. Lisa has been a part of the Northwood Team since 2006. She has always loved animals and feels like nothing compares to the bond we have with our pets. She loves sharing that with others. She volunteered as a kid at the Irvine Animal Care Center. She studied Animal Services at Cal Poly Pomona. Lisa’s hobbies include reading and going on adventures with her kids. Lisa has two dogs Max and Zoey. Veterinary Assistant Kitty Bio Coming Soon! Veterinary Assistant Minerva Minerva has been part of the Northwood Animal Hospital team since 2017. Her roles have included Client Service Representative, Client Coordinator, Front Office Supervisor, and now Practice Manager. She has a black cat named Jose, a German Shepherd named Dakota, and a Golden Retriever named Link. Practice Manager Dr. Meena Janbahan Dr. Meena Janbahan, otherwise known as Dr. J, graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and completed her clinical year at Iowa State University. During her studies, she encountered a Category 5 hurricane (Maria) on St. Kitts followed by a Category 3 hurricane (Derecho) in Iowa. Being born and raised in Orange County, she decided to return to the Santa Ana winds and avoid any more hurricanes.

She worked in corporate medicine for a few years before joining the Northwood Animal Hospital team. Her favorite cases to work up are dermatology cases and mass removal surgeries. She was a previous member of 4-H and has raised goats, chickens, birds, dogs and fish. She also used to volunteer at the Santa Ana Zoo. Although she cannot work on her favorite animals (dinosaurs), she is learning more about exotics each day.

Dr. J has two rescue dogs (from St. Kitts) that enjoy going on walks and the sunny So Cal weather. Her hobbies include volleyball, karaoke, going to the beach and eating.
DVM
Dr. Aigin Esfandiari Dr. Aigin Esfandiari completed her veterinary studies at Shiraz Veterinary School in 2014. In 2019, she made the decision to relocate to the United States, where she embarked on a journey to obtain her US veterinary license. Initially settling in Portland, Oregon, she started working as a veterinary assistant while diligently preparing for the licensure examination. After successfully obtaining her license, she began practicing veterinary medicine in Las Vegas in 2023.

Her passion for caring for animals was nurtured from a young age, thanks to her father, who is also a veterinarian. As a child, she often accompanied him to his practice, where she gained firsthand experience and knowledge in animal healthcare. This early exposure instilled in me a deep love and respect for animals, shaping her career path in veterinary medicine.

In 2024, she decided to make a new chapter in Orange County, California, where she continues to provide compassionate care to animals. Beyond her professional life, she is a proud pet parent to two beloved cats named Sushi and Wasabi. Spending quality time with them brings her immense joy and fulfillment outside of her veterinary practice.
DVM/Owner
Ramiro Bio Coming Soon! Staff Ashlee Bio Coming Soon! Staff Dr. Mehrzad Foroud Dr. Mehrzad Foroud is a veterinarian with a strong background in both general practice and emergency medicine. He has practiced in Oregon, Nevada, and California, gaining extensive experience with everything from routine wellness care to complex surgical and critical cases.

Dr. Foroud earned his Ph.D. in Veterinary Surgery, which strengthened his skills in surgery, anesthesia, and advanced medical care. He has also contributed to veterinary research and publications throughout his career, maintaining an active interest in the scientific side of the profession.

What he enjoys most about veterinary medicine is helping pets live healthier lives, and continuously improving the level of care he provides.

During his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his wife, Dr. Esfandiari, and their two cats, Sushi and Wasabi.
DVM/Owner
Jaime Bio Coming Soon! Staff Emma Bio Coming Soon! Staff Elizabeth Bio Coming Soon! Staff