Laszlo Pallai, DVM
Dr. Laszlo Pallai is a graduate of Colorado State University’s Veterinary School. Always believing and observing that the human and the dog are a match made in heaven he desired to spend his life serving both and strengthening that bond. He has practiced in southern California since 1986.
He loves tinkering and problem solving and appreciates the opportunities his vocation provides him in putting these skills to use helping his clients and their best friends. Nothing is more gratifying than restoring a fellow being to health and happiness!
Dr. Pallai is active in his church and is married to his wife of twenty eight years. He has two sons, one works for the Department of defense and the other is a pilot and completing his university studies in economics. In his spare time Dr. Pallai enjoys hiking with his dog and biking in the Santa Monica Mountains. He often Vacations in Idaho and loves skiing in Sun Valley where he often sees moose, elk and other wonders.
Matthew Stanman, DVM
Dr Stanman received his bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz in marine biology. After that he worked as a veterinary technician for four years before entering veterinary school at the University of Illinois in 2002 and graduating in 2006 with extensive training in emergency and general practice. He enjoys orthopedic and soft tissue surgery and cardiac and abdominal ultrasound. Dr Stanman is a conservative doctor with a solid background… offering clients a patient centered approach. He strives to give his clients as much time as needed in order to make sure they understand what is going on with their pet. When not at work, Dr Stanman enjoys the outdoors as an amateur nature photographer and spending time with his dogs Barron and Maya.
Dr. Janet Meyerhoff, DVM
Janet Meyerhoff, DVM, was born in Monterey, CA, and grew up in sunny Southern California. She graduated in 1983 from UC Davis with Bachelors of Science in Genetics, and in 1987 from UW Madison with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. From 1987 to 1989, she took part in an internship in the Bay Area where she gained experience in avian medicine, ophthalmology, emergency treatment, and surgical practice.
Since then, Dr. Meyerhoff has been practicing veterinary medicine and surgery, treating countless small animals, pocket pets, rabbits, and reptiles. When not spending time with her fur babies and rehabilitating local wildlife, Dr. Meyerhoff enjoys hiking, walking on the beach, gardening and tending to her roses and orchids, and spending time with her two beautiful adult children Emma Lee and Forrest.
Patrick Smith, DVM, MVPM
Inspired by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small, Dr. Patrick Smith received his veterinary degree from Michigan State University. Dr. Smith began making house calls while working at a small animal clinic in Southern New Hampshire. He spent five years working in the central highlands of Papua, Indonesia with Christian Veterinary Mission doing village animal health work where he met his wife, Wendy.
Dr. Smith received a master’s degree in preventive veterinary medicine (MPVM) at The University of California, Davis. He has engaged in veterinary collaboration in Haiti, Nepal, China, Myanmar, and Tonga. After a very satisfying twenty years of house calls, while raising his five children in Fresno, CA, Dr Smith is happy to be working at Rainbow Veterinary Hospital.
Jason Balara, DVM
Dr. Balara founded his mobile veterinary surgery practice in 2017 with the vision of merging high level specialty surgery with the comfort and familiarity of the family veterinary practice. Jason graduated from Tufts Veterinary School in 2004 and by that time knew exactly what he wanted to do with the rest of his veterinary career. Surgery had been introduced as a student and immediately became a passion. He started specialty surgical training after graduation from vet school, with a 1 year internship followed by three year residency program.
This intense training along with amazing mentors, allowed him to pass boards and truly embrace a career as a veterinary surgeon.
Since 2008, while working in multiple large specialty hospitals, Jason has focused solely on surgery with a passion for complex orthopedic cases and teaching the veterinary community. This has come in many forms, from mentoring interns and residents to training technicians how to follow a path of specialization. He also takes that same educator mindset into our practice when he visits for mobile surgery cases, trying to increase the understanding of surgery in veterinary medicine.
Francisco German, BS, RVT, MPS
Francisco was raised in the Valley and has dedicated his life to serving the animals and families of his community. With a deep love for both pets and the people who care for them, he is committed to providing an exceptional and compassionate veterinary experience grounded in both science and empathy.
He earned his Bachelor in Biology from California State University, Northridge, and subsequently obtained licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician in California. He later completed a Master of Professional Science (MPS) in Animal Science and Behavior, with advanced study in veterinary nutrition, behavior science, animal welfare, and evidence-based care.
Francisco has worked in the veterinary field since 1993, bringing over three decades of clinical and leadership experience to Rainbow Veterinary Hospital. Prior to becoming an owner, he managed a large veterinary hospital for over 10 years, developing expertise in hospital operations, medical standards, team leadership, and client communication.
In 2018, Francisco and his wife, Claudia, fulfilled their dream of purchasing Rainbow Veterinary Hospital, building a practice centered on progressive medicine, behavioral wellness, preventive nutrition, and a fear-free, client-focused experience.
Francisco is deeply committed to continuing education and advancing veterinary medicine. His long-term goal is to attend veterinary school and complete his lifelong dream of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, further expanding the level of care he can provide to his community.
Outside of the hospital, Francisco enjoys spending time with his family and their dogs; Lucca, Bella, and Piccolino. He believes veterinary medicine is not just a profession, but a calling rooted in compassion, scientific integrity, and lifelong learning.
Claudia, Registered Veterinary Technician
Claudia was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and has dedicated her life to caring for animals and supporting the families who love them. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis, where she built a strong academic foundation in animal health and veterinary medicine. She later obtained her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) license in Northern California before returning to the Valley to continue her career.
Claudia began working in the veterinary field in 1992 and brings over three decades of clinical experience to Rainbow Veterinary Hospital. Her passion for animals began in childhood, inspired by her family cat, Mittens, who first showed her the beauty of the human-animal bond.
In 2018, Claudia and her husband Francisco fulfilled their dream of purchasing Rainbow Veterinary Hospital, creating a practice centered on compassionate care, strong medical standards, and meaningful relationships with clients and their pets.
Outside of the hospital, Claudia enjoys spending time with her family and their dogs, Lucca, Bella, and Piccolino. She believes veterinary medicine is not just about treating illness, but about honoring the lifelong bond between pets and the people who cherish them.
Karen, Veterinary Assistant
Raised in Huntington Park, California, Karen is the middle child out of 4 siblings. Her hobbies include gardening, arts and crafts, cooking, and hiking. When she is done with the work day, her two dogs Chabela and Chica welcome her home and cuddle up beside her.
Growing up, Karen always had dogs in the family as well as birds, fish, and small pocket pets like mice. She has always loved animals since youth but there was one experience that sparked her curiosity in the field of veterinary medicine. Her Dalmatian puppy Minnie had parvo virus—a disease that is often fatal to puppies—and Karen was deeply saddened because she did not understand how her dog had gotten sick or why she passed away. Karen, although initially upset, was also intrigued by what had happened and she took it upon herself to learn more about animal diseases and treatment. This experience, in other words, impacted Karen in ways that would eventually lead her to the veterinary field.
Karen initially was studying business in college since she was given an opportunity to work in the banking industry; however, she had a feeling that this career path was not aligning with her interests. She reflected on other options and confirmed that she wanted to enroll in the Veterinary Technician program at Pierce College instead. During this time, Karen worked at a doggy daycare facility and learned more about animals and particular breeds. During work and school, she was able to receive hands-on experience/training with various species like cats, dogs, livestock and small exotics. Karen is now part of the Rainbow Vet staff and recently received her associates’ degree from Pierce College in 2017. Karen enjoys assisting in surgery because she feels every day is a new learning experience and she likes seeing pets leave the hospital in good health. She is currently preparing for the national exam to get her RVT license.
Jennifer, Veterinary Assistant
Jennifer grew up in the Hollywood / Los Angeles area with her parents and other family members. Being an only child, she often felt that pets were her brothers and sisters, even though she argues with her cousins as if they were her siblings. Jennifer always wanted to keep her pets happy and healthy, which is why she got into the veterinary field. Now she cares for pets every day as a Veterinary Assistant at Rainbow Veterinary Hospital!
During her senior year at Hollywood High School, she started volunteering at different rescues from dogs and cats to even pocket pets. After high school, Jennifer started volunteering at the Burbank Animal Shelter while attending college classes. She’s currently attending Pierce College and Los Angeles Valley College to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. After volunteering at Rainbow Veterinary Hospital, she was hired on—she loves seeing a pet leave the hospital happy, and especially enjoys when a healthy animal licks her face as a thank-you!
Jennifer’s family has many pets. Oscar is her 4-year old Doberman that lives an active lifestyle since he loves going hiking and running. Mia—her 8 year old Pitbull that loves going on car rides and sleeping—is the only female dog in her house. Blue is her 5-year old blue Doberman that loves playing in the water, especially jumping into the pool. Max, who is the smallest and second oldest dog of the household, shows that he owns the house and is still a youngster that loves swimming, going camping to Yosemite, and going on the jet-ski although being 8 years old. Jennifer also has three rabbits that are well behaved and have been trained to be play around her yard with her dogs, three guinea pigs, a few goldfish, and birds!
In her free time, Jennifer likes being with her family and friends. She likes going hiking with her dogs, attending Dodger games, and going to theme parks for fun. She does like to go shopping and eat at different places, especially eating dessert!
Daniela, Veterinary Assistant
Daniela’s job is to collaborate with the doctor to provide the best care for their patients in the recovery process. Her dream of being a Veterinarian has been present all her life, because since she was little, she has lived with animals and had the dream of dedicating her life to their well-being and happiness. She graduated in Veterinary Medicine in a beautiful country of Colombia, where she also took some extra courses such as Animal Nutrition and Dietetics applied to cattle, Ornithology and Classification of Colombian birds of prey, and Animal behavior and Welfare. Every day she seeks to be more efficient, and to be able to apply her knowledge in practice. Outside of work Daniela enjoys listening to music, dancing, and spending time with family. She also loves discovering new places and cultures, as well as traveling. Daniela says she really appreciates working at Rainbow because we support each other and work as a team. My co-workers make me feel like part of a family because we trust everyone’s skills and knowledge and try to be better every day.
Elizabeth, Client Care Representative
Elizabeth has been part of the Rainbow family since 2018, but has also worked with Francisco since 2012 . Currently living in the San Fernando Valley with her husband and three young children, Liz was raised in Palm Springs and moved to Fullerton when she was 18 years old to attend Cal State Fullerton where she received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. Liz has had so much love and passion for animals since she was little. Growing up she was always surrounded by dogs, cats, rabbits and parakeets at home. Her love for animals continues and she is very happy to be working with them, alongside an amazing team! When not at work Elizabeth is busy raising her little family and enjoys the outdoors with her Chihuahua Mix Milo. They love visiting Palm Springs to see family and Big Bear to enjoy the snow!
Monica, Veterinary Assistant
Gonzalo, Veterinary Assistant
Esme, Client Care Representative
Carolina, Groomer
Sean Nelson, Business Development
Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Sean pursued his education at the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. Whether it’s creating new relationships with community animal shelters, assisting with the procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment, enhancing our clients’ access to comprehensive care through pet insurance, or managing behind the scenes business administration, Sean discovers fulfillment by aligning his passion for animals with his entrepreneurial spirit.
For two decades, Sean has entrusted the well-being of his animals to Francisco and his dedicated team. Committed to fostering an environment where fellow pet owners can experience the same sense of trust and care, Sean takes pride in contributing to a community that values the happiness and health of every animal that walks through Rainbow’s doors.
When his hands aren’t full wrangling his energetic boxer-mix, Marty, Sean enjoys seeing as many movies as possible, traveling, and discovering new music.