Meet the Veterinary Team in Blaine, MN

Dr. Carlos Gandara

Doctor / Owner

Born in Torreón, Coahuila, and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico  Dr. Carlos made a choice at the age of 18 to become an American citizen, as both of his parents were born in Texas  Carlos grew up knowing that he wanted to become a doctor  In 1984, he graduated from veterinary school at the University of Guadalajara and then headed to Minnesota to visit family and “check out the snow.”  He met his future wife, Sharyl, and quickly learned to speak English.

Anxious to start his career, he began practicing veterinary medicine in the Twin Cities while studying for his license. Foreign graduates must pass a rigorous series of exams. Carlos worked extremely hard and with a lot of determination to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine license here in the state of Minnesota.

He and Sharyl married in 1988, and they have two daughters. Carlos and his family live in Minneapolis with their dog, “Sola.”

In his free time, Carlos loves to fish  Ocean fishing is his passion, but he will not turn away a chance to catch a Northern here in Minnesota  He also enjoys spending time with his friends and family, soccer, Viking football, and western movies  He can fix most anything that is broken, and his close friends consider him a connoisseur of aged tequila.

Owning his own veterinary clinic was a dream that he worked to make come true. He has high standards and always strives to be the best doctor that he can be.

Amanda

Office Manager / Veterinary Assistant

Hi, I’m Amanda. I have been a devoted member of the C.V.H. team since 2020, helping care for your pets from their first check-up through their senior years. I developed my love for veterinary medicine through a childhood passion. My favorite part of the job is ensuring that pets feel safe and comfortable during their visits and providing a gentle hand during dentistry or surgery prep. When I’m not in the clinic, you can find me camping, side by siding on the trails, exploring new places, or hanging out with my husband and children.

Taylor

Veterinary Assistant

Hi, I’m Taylor! I joined the team as a Veterinary Technician in 2023, bringing with me a background in Zoo and Aquarium Science and a love for all things animals—big, small, furry, or scaled. Before starting here, I spent time traveling to neighboring communities doing educational wildlife shows, which helped grow my passion for animal education and outreach.

When I’m not at work, I’m at home with my own mini zoo—cats, dogs, reptiles of all sorts, and even stick bugs. I love spending my free time camping, getting creative with art projects, and tackling home improvement projects with my husband. I’ve also been coaching gymnastics for over 10 years, which has definitely taught me patience and how to expect the unexpected. These are skills that come in handy in veterinary medicine, too!

Maria

Veterinary Assistant

Hello, I’m Maria! I graduated from the University of Minnesota and have been part of the team at Companion Veterinary Hospital since 2023. I truly enjoy building relationships with clients—getting to know both them and their pets, making each visit a positive experience, and connecting over shared interests. I love helping create a fun, welcoming environment at work while providing the best care possible.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my significant other and our yellow lab, Hunter. Whether we’re duck hunting, fishing, camping, or just enjoying time with family, I love making the most of every season!

Nicole

Veterinary Assistant

I started working at CVH in 2023 and have always loved animals. Growing up, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma take care of rescue kittens, which is where my passion for animal care really started. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting, and getting outside to explore whenever I can.