Dr. Ralph D. Sellman II, Veterinarian, Owner
Dr. Sellman’s earliest memories involve an intense love for animals—he grew up with dogs, cats, snakes, hamsters, fish, toads, and birds. He focused his passion towards helping pet owners understand their beloved companions by starting a lifelong career in veterinary medicine!
Dr. Sellman grew up in a suburb of Chicago as the oldest of three siblings. He went to the University of Tennessee in 1996, then completed a small animal medicine and surgical internship at the University of Georgia from 1996 to 1997. After working in the Florida Keys, Northern Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. area, he relocated to the west coast to assist his parents in retirement. He says meeting Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital’s Dr. Guenther was like meeting a long-lost sister—they hit it off right away!
Dr. Sellman’s professional interests include dental work and preventative medicine. He’s passionate about educating clients to provide the best care possible, and regularly attends continuing-education conferences to stay updated on current technology and treatments.
At home, Dr. Sellman has one orange and white tabby cat, Penny; one Siamese Flame Point, Leo; one grey and white DSH, Bitsy; and one medium haired brown tabby, Loki; who all come to greet him nightly as he enters the door.
In his spare time, Dr. Sellman likes sea and whitewater kayaking, catching a hockey game at every NHL arena—he’s halfway to his goal!—and reading good books.
Dr. Lynda Guenther, Associate Veterinarian
As a child, Dr. Guenther was deeply impressed by her family’s veterinarian and his ability to solve all their pets’ medical problems. It inspired her so much that she knew she wanted to do the same thing! Her veterinary journey has led her all the way to her current position as a full-time Veterinarian and the Co-Owner of Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital.
Raised in the Bay Area, Dr. Guenther attended the University of California at Davis, receiving her Bachelor’s in Animal Physiology in 1985. She completed her DVM degree in 1992 at UC Davis’s School of Veterinary Medicine. After completing an internship in surgery and emergency critical care at California Animal Hospital, she started working in small animal practices in 1994. On June 1st, 1997, she started at Blue Cross as an associate veterinarian, eventually purchasing the hospital in 1998.
Since our pets can’t speak, Dr. Guenther continues to be motivated by the challenge of figuring out what’s bothering a pet. She enjoys communicating with families over the years and watching young puppies and kittens grow up.
Dr. Guenther and her wife, Dana, have enjoyed living in Long Beach for over 20 years. They have two beautiful girls and a small herd of dogs and cats. The very spoiled family dogs are Charlie (Goldendoodle) and Baxterr (Mini Bernedoodle). Additionally, they have one giant cat, Kirby.
In her free time, Dr. Guenther enjoys karate, golf, spending time with her kids, and scuba diving.
Alen, RVT
Alen was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She always had a huge love for animals, especially dogs. She grew up with having dogs in the family and loved them all. She knew since a young age she wanted to be in the veterinary field. At the age of seventeen, she volunteered at the Long Beach Animal Shelter, where she learned the basics of cleaning and taking care of a pet. Alen started her veterinary career at Stanbridge University where she studied to achieve her RVT license which she finally obtained in 2021. Alen’s primary focus is to make sure that every pet is being well taken care of and that they are in great hands.
Alen loves to spend time with her dog Canela, who is the most energetic dog – she never wants to stop playing! She enjoys spending time with friends and family, ending up on many adventures that are very memorable. Alen loves watching movies, trying different foods, going to amusement parks, and even making artwork.
Alex J., Veterinary Assistant
Alex was born and raised in Long Beach. She entered the veterinary field in 2010 and never looked back! Alex also received her Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology in 2010. Since going to school, Alex has always enjoyed working with animals – both small and large.
Currently, Alex has an Australian Shepherd named Rayo and a cat named Peaches. Outside of work, Alex is a full-time mom of 3 kids – one girl and two boys. During her time off work, Alex enjoys hanging out with her husband and children.
Alex U, Receptionist
Alex has always adored all creatures—big and small— for as long as she can remember! She was born in Long Beach, has a younger brother and a twin sister. As a shy child, she preferred making friends with snails over human kids. She’s had many pets throughout her life, growing up mostly with cats but has also had frogs, chickens, a Chinese water dragon, leopard gecko, turtles, rabbits, mice, rats, and even a possum! Alex currently has an 11-year-old tortoise shell cat named Claire, a 4-year-old Snail named Algernon, and other invertebrates including beetles, isopods, millipedes, and an Australian Rainforest Mantis. Here, she is pictured with one of her “blueberries”, a blue death feigning beetle!
Having had and loved all of these animals, working with them only seemed natural—Alex has been working in veterinary hospitals since 2016. She has a degree in pastry arts and also attended veterinary technical school. She spends her free time learning about bugs, baking sweets, studying Japanese, practicing archery, crocheting and watching movies (especially horror!) She loves getting to know all our patients and clients and trying her best to make their lives easier.
Danielle, Receptionist
Danielle grew up in Long Beach with her two brothers. She always loved animals; and growing up, they had dogs, cats, bunnies, and turtles. Danielle has been in the veterinary field since 2020 and has loved every minute of it! During her free time, Danielle likes to cook, try new restaurants, watch movies, go to the beach, and spend time with her family.
Donovan, Veterinary Assistant
Donovan was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. She graduated at California Healing Arts College earning her certification as a veterinarian assistant. Before college Donovan worked in retail managing a Hot Topic for 7 years. She knew this wasn’t the right career path for her and was eager for a change. Growing up Donovan always had compassion for animals to a point where it would get her in trouble – whenever there was a lost, stray, or injured animal she would find a way to sneak them past her mom! From dogs, cats, possums, chickens, birds the list goes on.
Working as an assistant at Blue Cross has been a very rewarding experience for Donovan and her true passion. Her goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible and become an RVT in the future. In her free time Donovan enjoys traveling when she can, bowling with her mom, going to concerts, getting new tattoos, and long hikes with her dog Raiden. She also loves to draw, swim, and cook. She is a big movie buff and can watch the Lord of the Rings over and over again.
Joe, Kennel Attendant / Veterinary Assistant
Joe is part of our kennel team. He is responsible for taking care of our fury friends and enjoys being able to treat them like part of his family each and every day. Some of Joe’s hobbies include sports, seeing good movies, music, heading to the great outdoors, discovering new places, and always loves to learn something new! Joe always has a smile on his face is excited to get the chance to care for you furry friend.
Kelsey, Office Manager
Since her mother worked as a Veterinary Technician at Blue Cross, Kelsey was often found around the clinic—staff members sometimes joke that she was born in the kennels! Young Kelsey would help clean cages and file paperwork and was hired on almost as soon as she was old enough.
Kelsey grew up in South Gate with her parents, younger brother, and many pets. At one point in her childhood, she counted the number of pets in the household, and it totaled to 21! Kelsey has worked in all positions in the hospital starting as a kennel attendant and working her way up to office manager. She likes the structure and organization of the front office positions and has been happy in her many roles here over the years.
Being partially of Scottish heritage, one of Kelsey’s most memorable journeys was her trip to Scotland and London. She rented a car for the first time and drove it seven hours to Scotland—she says the experience was scary, but she would do it again in a heartbeat! Kelsey also did a study abroad year in Sweden and was able to travel to multiple countries in the area during her time there. Kelsey graduated from CSUDH in 2019.
Monica, Receptionist
Having previously worked in the customer service and management fields, Monica was looking for a career change.She applied for a receptionist position at Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital and has since grown immensely in the field.
Growing up in Long Beach, Monica had over 17 dogs, two turtles, a rabbit, and countless fish. She started at Blue Cross in 2004, and instantly fell in love with the profession. Now she considers pet patients her children, and regularly refers to them as “her kids!”
Monica particularly likes greeting all clients and patients and hearing their stories. She loves working in a career that helps both pets and their owners, and is proud knowing that she helped pets feel better.
Monica’s son and daughter are her inspiration in life. She helps out in ministry and currently mentors a girls’ youth group. She enjoys photography, which she’s been practicing for 25 years, and also likes to cook and watch people enjoy her dishes.
Rochelle, Veterinary Assistant
Rochelle was born in Long Beach, California. Growing up she always had a love for animals and wanted to work in the veterinary field. Her sister had a lot of pets growing up, including snakes, turtles, frogs, lizards, birds, and dogs. Before getting into the field, she went to school in Hawaii for kinesiology. After she graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, she moved back to California and joined California Healing Arts College to get her certificate in veterinary assistance. She hopes to become an RVT in the near future and work with animals at the zoo. Rochelle has three pets – two dachshunds named Schnitzel, and TJ, and a cockatiel named Pepe le Pew. Whenever she can she loves to bake, go to the beach, and attend concerts with her friends and family.
Stefanie, Receptionist Coordinator
Stefanie has been working in animal care since 2006. She has loved animals her whole life and has always sought to care for them in any way she could. Her life with animals started in childhood with cats, dogs, guinea pigs and a turtle. As an adult she grew her experience while fostering puppies, kittens, rabbits, opossums and pets displaced by domestic violence, and also pet-sitting exotic animals. Today, Stefanie shares her home with 2 spoiled cats, a tarantula, and a turtle whom she has been friends with for over 30 years! In her spare time (after scooping all the litter boxes!), she enjoys taking care of her plants and bird feeders, bowling, and going
to Disneyland.