Daily Inspiration: Meet Noosha Kohandarvish

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noosha Kohandarvish.

Hi Noosha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in Tarzana by incredible immigrant parents who fled the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley was something I truly loved—I attended Wilbur, Portola, and Taft, and I’m still close with my childhood friends from those days. From an early age, I was drawn to both animals and medicine. In high school, I worked at the Encino Petco while also volunteering at Tarzana Hospital, experiences that helped shape my path.

I chose to attend UCLA so I could stay close to home, initially studying psychology. But one unexpected moment—jumping into a pool at a party to save a drowning squirrel—made me realize that my passion was ultimately with animals. After graduating, I returned to Pierce College to take animal science courses, worked on their farm, and completed my science prerequisites through UCLA Extension. Around that time, I also began working as a kennel assistant at a local animal hospital, where I spent three years gaining hands-on experience and deepening my love of veterinary medicine.

It was during this period that I met my now-husband, who had moved from Napa Valley to Los Angeles to work as an event manager. When I was accepted to veterinary school, I initially planned to stay local to remain close to my family—and him. But he encouraged me to visit UC Davis, and after touring its incredible teaching hospital, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Leaving Southern California was not easy, but my four years at Davis were filled with unforgettable experiences and meaningful friendships. I also had the opportunity to travel abroad, providing veterinary care in the jungles of Nicaragua and spending a month in the rainforests of Thailand working with elephants while also serving local underprivileged communities through the incredible Mercer Clinic.

One of the most important parts of my time at Davis was finding my soul dog, Athena, a husky mix who can be found with me in the office of Encino Vet everyday. She was originally a shelter dog used in teaching labs on campus, where we practiced physical exams and ultrasounds. I adopted her during my second year, and she has been by my side ever since.

I knew I wanted to pursue general practice because I value building long-term relationships with clients and caring for their pets throughout their lives. During one of my veterinary school interviews, I met Dr. Julio Lopez, whose passion for practicing high-quality medicine and mentoring future veterinarians left a lasting impression on me. I later joined the hospital where he served as medical director, and after working together for a year and a half, he was given the opportunity to purchase Encino Veterinary Center. He invited me to become a partner alongside Dr. Christine Fabregas, and I’ve now been part of that journey for the past four years.

In that time, my long-distance boyfriend from vet school became my husband, and Athena took on a new role as big sister to our two young daughters. It’s been a full and rewarding journey—one that continues to evolve both personally and professionally.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Becoming a veterinarian was a dream come true, but stepping into my professional career came with a jarring sense of imposter syndrome. That feeling only intensified as I began practicing during the pandemic. As a profession, veterinary medicine often faces the challenge of distressed & upset clients, and during COVID, that strain escalated dramatically. With more people adopting pets and spending increased time at home, animal hospitals were booked weeks in advance, and frustrations ran high. At the same time, our field was already grappling with significant staffing shortages due to burnout and comparatively low pay, making an already difficult situation even more challenging. Tragically, veterinarians also face one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. The combination of compassion fatigue and the emotional toll of often being blamed for the pets illness or inability to pay for care can be overwhelming.

When Dr. Lopez and Dr. Fabregas approached me about joining them at Encino Vet Center, I was initially hesitant. I wasn’t in a good place at my previous job and felt skeptical of the culture they described that is lacking in veterinary medicine. However, after visiting the clinic, it became clear that we shared the same values and vision for what a truly supportive and effective animal hospital could be. I realized it was possible to prioritize exceptional patient care while also supporting the well-being of the staff and maintaining high standards of medicine—all while giving back to the community.

Since becoming an owner, we’ve experienced significant growth and even moved to a new location. We remain committed to investing in the future of veterinary medicine by supporting students pursuing veterinary and registered veterinary technician programs, hosting students for summer jobs and externships, and speaking at veterinary schools. We also stay actively involved in our community by volunteering with local shelters and outreach programs, organizing donation drives, and contributing annually to environmental efforts like tree planting and kelp forest restoration. Our no-abuse policy ensures that our staff feel safe and respected, setting a standard that was often lacking in other clinics.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of something better—to help build a compassionate, supportive environment for both pets and the people who care for them.

There are still days when I struggle to balance family life with the demands of a full-time career. With two young toddlers at home whom I adore, I sometimes feel like I’m falling short as a mom because I’m at work so often—while also feeling like I’m not giving enough to my work when I’m home with them. It can feel like I’m being pulled in two opposite directions.

Learning to set boundaries and prioritize work-life balance has made a meaningful difference. Having an amazingly supportive husband and two extremely devoted parents who are helping raising my kids allows me to continue to work on my dream. Focusing on my mental health—whether through therapy or exercise—has helped me stay grounded. Over time, I’ve come to accept that perfection doesn’t exist, and that we’re all simply doing our best with what we have.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I should have known I was going into the veterinary field long before I did. My favorite memories from childhood involved animals. Growing up in Tarzana, my parents would take my sister and me hiking in Caballero Canyon every weekend. I couldn’t wait until spring where the creeks would run and I could collect tadpoles to bring home. Seeing our love for animals, our parents also got us pet chickens from the local Red Barn, which we raised and had for several years, taking them for walks around the neighborhood with us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.encinovetcenter.com/

Image Credits
Samantha Jacoby