Meet Our Caring La Crescenta Veterinarian Team
Our experienced La Crescenta veterinarians here at Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital are proud to have a staff of caring and dedicated veterinarian professionals who truly care about pet health. We have been serving the La Crescenta community and the surrounding areas since 1958. Please read our brief profiles below to gain a better idea of who we are, and to get a feel for our passions as well as our high-level of veterinary expertise.
Have questions for our veterinarian team? Please don't hesitate to give us a call at (818) 485-2527!
Dr. James Speas - Medical Director
Dr. James Speas (J.D.) was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Coming from a family of longtime ranchers and having been exposed to the challenges and satisfactions of practicing medicine, a career as a veterinarian was a logical choice for him. Dr. Speas graduated from Colorado State University in 1984. His first veterinary experience was in a mixed large and small animal practice in Salida, Colorado. He then practiced in several small animal and mixed practices in Wyoming and Colorado.
In 1995, Dr. Speas and his family relocated to Southern California and he took over Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital. Dr. Speas has a variety of interests in veterinary medicine. He has a special interest in surgery and enjoys the challenges of internal medicine cases. Additionally, he enjoys seeing the unique and exotic cases, such as pocket pets and reptiles. Dr. Speas is very proud of the quality of service his team provides and is constantly looking to enhance the quality of life of pets and pet owners.
Dr. Monika Wehbe - Veterinarian
Dr. Monika Wehbe grew up in the La Crescenta Valley and, at a young age,
her love for veterinary medicine was evident. She has always been known
for her compassion for animals and her dedication to their well-being.
She worked as a veterinary technician while attending California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona. After she received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Animal Science, Monika left Southern California for veterinary
school. Monika received her Veterinary Medicine degree from the University
of California, Davis, where her emphasis included dogs, cats, and horses.
She is especially interested in preventive medicine, ultrasound, and radiology.
Monika began working at Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital in 2008. She is excited to be working in her home town where the caring atmosphere, excellent staff, and amazing clients and patients have provided an unforgettable experience. She currently lives in Pasadena with her husband and two young children. Their four-legged family includes 3 cats, 1 dog and a 22 year-old thoroughbred / quarter horse. When away from the hospital, Monika enjoys spending time with her children and playing soccer
Dr. Brett Leonard - Veterinarian
Dr. Brett Leonard was born and raised in Titusville, Florida, which is
located adjacent to NASA / Kennedy Space Center. He received his B.S.
in Animal Biology from the University of Florida while concurrently working
as a veterinary assistant in small animal private practice. Dr. Leonard
then relocated to Southern California to attend Western University of
Health Sciences and completed his veterinary medical degree in 2013. During
his clinical coursework, he participated in many Southern California specialty
hospitals and two on the east coast including Manhattan, New York and
Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Leonard does not currently have pets but enjoys spending days off with his sister's two French bulldogs. In his spare time, he likes to surf the many different beaches Southern California has to offer, stays active playing tennis and racquetball, and has recently began playing the guitar. His medicine interests include dentistry and diagnostic imaging.
Dr. Ashley Koomalsingh - Veterinarian
Ashley Koomalsingh grew up in Yorba Linda, California. She headed east
to attend college at Brown University then earned a Master's degree
from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She came back to the West Coast
for veterinary school at Western University, spending her final year in
New York City at different specialty hospitals and shelters.
After working a year in private practice in New York, she is happy to be settled back in Southern California with her husband and their rescues: a dog and 3 cats (but always looking for the next pet to take home). Her veterinary interests include internal medicine, surgery, and shelter medicine. In her spare time, she likes to go to the beach, try new restaurants and hot spots with her husband, anything sports-related (especially Yankees), and spend time with her family.
Jessica Speas
Jessica Speas has literally grown up at Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital
(her dad is Dr. Speas). Growing up, she worked in many different areas
of the pet hospital and she quickly understood the importance of the human-animal
bond. Jessica never thought about a career as a veterinarian but knew
that she could do more as an administrator. In 2002, Jessica became the
hospital administrator and oversees the daily operations of the pet hospital.
In February 2010, she was awarded the designation of Certified Veterinary
Practice Manager with the Veterinary Hospital Management Association.
In 2012, Jessica was awarded the designation of Professional in Human
Resources and received a California specialty designation in 2013. Outside
of the pet hospital, Jessica is a sports fan and enjoys spending time
near the beach. Jessica's dog June Bug can often be seen at the pet
hospital - she spends most days in her office.
