About FlexVets

FlexVets is an on demand veterinary relief agency created to address veterinarian shortage and mental health issues in the veterinary industry.

To learn more or if you have relief needs, please contact [email protected]!

Our People

Joe Simmons, DVM

Dr. Simmons is a full time relief doctor and founder of FlexVets.  He enjoys practicing quality veterinary medicine across the board, particularly in ER settings.  When not on the hospital floor, he can be found surfing, rock climbing, or spending time with his family.

Chelsea Dillon, BVSc, MVM, ABVP (Avian) Candidate

Dr Dillon is originally from Canada and began her veterinary career in an avian specialty practice in Vancouver, BC.  Dr Dillon eventually decided to further her studies to become a veterinarian and graduated from Massey University in 2015.  She also completed several zoological training programs at a variety of zoos around the world including the San Diego Zoo.  Dr Dillon fell in love with San Diego and moved to the area in 2016. She completed both a 1-year rotating internship and a 3-year avian and exotic animal specialty residency at the Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (PESC). She completed her residency training in July 2021. Dr Dillon is now a part time relief doctor as well as the medical director of a mobile wellness clinic based in San Diego.

Heidi Schulze, DVM, DACVECC

Heidi Schulze received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis. After working in Southern California at a small animal emergency practice and completing an internship at the University of Pennsylvania, she completed a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists in Massachusetts. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care in 2012. After working in Ottawa, Canada she ultimately returned to southern California to be closer to family. Dr. Schulze enjoys all aspects of emergency and critical care, but her specific interests include sepsis and the management of patients with multiple organ dysfunction. In her spare time she enjoys photography, reading and spending time with her family.

Elizabeth Rengh, DVM

I was born and raised in Lemoore, a small farming town in the Central Valley. I grew up on our family dairy and I have been in love with animals ever since. That love grew from dairy cows and goats into more exotic creatures like jaguars and iguanas. Coming from a small town, I was looking for some adventure, completed my veterinary degree at Ross University of Veterinary Medicine, and finished my clinical year at University of Tennessee. After graduation, I accepted a position in Chico at an emergency clinic where I’ve been working for the last 4 years. In Chico, I was able to continue working with exotics and expand the clinics wildlife services via closely with our local wildlife rehabilitation center. I enjoy emergency medicine and working with exotic animals of all kinds. I am passionate about wildlife conservation programs and I still have an interest in large animals. In my free time I enjoy exploring the outdoors, and hiking with our dogs. Otherwise I’m spending time with my large family and my fiancé. My fiancé and I have a strong love for shelter animals. In St. Kitts I picked my best friend, an island dog that I loving named Caribelle (Belle for short) after a local island plantation where I found her. In Knoxville we fell in love with a stray cat (who thinks he is a dog) named Kodie. The newest addition to our little family is another island puppy named Bobsy (after our favorite chicken wing place on island). As of right now, I only have a few animals (plus some fish) but I am sure this is just the beginning of our fur (and scales) family!

AnnMarie MacKenzie, DVM

Dr. MacKenzie wanted to be a veterinarian since grade school, but took a longer route to her chosen occupation than most. She worked as a software developer for 5 years and had an opportunity to live and work in India, where she volunteered those skills. When living in Bhubaneswar, she spent all of her free time feeding and caring for street animals – cows, chickens, pigs, dogs and cats alike – which reawakened her passion for animal health. After she completed her placement and returned to her home country of Canada, she immediately returned to school to make her dream of becoming a veterinarian a reality. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2020, and thoroughly enjoys her day-to-day career as a vet. She finds her work very meaningful and relishes creating trusting relationships with her patients and clients, while also helping to guide and educate clients on how to make the best decisions for the health of their companions.  Dr. MacKenzie has two dogs that are her world – JB and Zuko. JB is a senior Indian Street dog who has moved all over the world with her – from India, to Canada to Australia. He now gets to spend his golden years living in sunny Los Angeles. Zuko is a young and spirited chihuahua mix who was surrendered to a clinic where she worked. In her free time, Dr. MacKenzie enjoys getting outdoors with her pups for hiking and back-country camping.

Alexandra Nichols, DVM

Dr. Lexi Nichols is a socal native who grew up with a passion for animals and helping them. Aside from animals, she also grew up loving sports. She was recruited across the country  to play soccer at Columbia University for undergrad. After 4 years in New York City , Dr. Nichols missed the beach and decided to attend Ross Veterinary School on the island of St. Kitts. She loved her island veterinary experience and even adopted her very own island coconut retriever, Charlie. She then attended North Carolina State for her final clinical year of vet school ( Go Wolfpack!). After finishing vet school, she returned to Orange County to work full time as a small animal general practitioner. Dr. Nichols is someone who goes above and beyond for her patients and clients. She practices high quality medicine and is extremely skilled when it comes to client communication. When she isn’t caring for animals, you might catch her running at the beach, hiking, playing flag football, snowboarding, or at the tennis court.

Alyssa Gall, MBA

Alyssa Gall is the scheduling and practice manager for FlexVets.  She received her MBA from California State University, Fullerton, as well as her BBA from Loyola Marymount University.  Alyssa is excited to help improve veterinary quality of life through unique and innovative management and logistics solutions.  Alyssa also enjoys outdoors activities and spending time with her two dogs.