At Belmont Short Veterinary Hospital, we take pride in our doctors. Their impressive educational backgrounds, their valuable experiences, and their compassion will serve your pet’s needs in every way.

Dr. Rachel Sitler

After completing her studies in Animal Science at Cornell University, Dr. Rachel Sitler went on to receive her veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Following her formal veterinary education, Dr. Sitler then completed an intensive additional year of training in surgery, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, and internal medicine at an esteemed program in Southern California.

Following her internship, Dr. Sitler worked as an emergency veterinarian, gaining valuable knowledge she will now be able to use to address the needs of your pets in an emergency situation.

Dr. Sitler currently lives in Belmont Shore with her husband and her two dogs, Fergus and Bailey. Fergus is a Gordon Setter and Bailey is an Irish Setter.

She has spent the past 7 years serving the needs of clients and patients in our Long Beach communities and has been co-owner of Belmont Shore Veterinary Hospital since 2007.

Dr. Elyse Frank




Dr. Frank received her undergraduate degree at UCLA (go Bruins!) and then completed her veterinary training at Kansas State University.

A Southern California native, Dr. Frank returned to the area after receiving her veterinary degree and expanded her knowledge and skills by completing a rigorous internship focusing on internal medicine, oncology, and surgery. She then went on to use her skills in order to provide care for pets in the Long Beach area.

Dr. Frank has a special interest in feline medicine, is a member of AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners), and volunteers her time with a trap-neuter-release feral cat organization. She lives with her husband and their three cats: Miles, Zoey, and Chester.

Dr. Dina Legum




Dr. Legum received her undergraduate degree in microbiology from Colorado State University and went on to graduate from Colorado State University Veterinary School.

Raised in Southern California, she returned to the area where she worked for over 15 years in emergency medicine and critical care and then several more years in private practice.

Dr. Legum has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She is married and has two children, Dillon and Lauren; a Mastiff named Bree; two cats, Sally and Alex; and a Cockatoo named Bob.

Dr. Rachel Schochet is Chief of Staff and a Board Certified Radiologist at Southern California Veterinary Imaging (SCVI), located in Culver City, California. In addition, she provides outpatient imaging services to the paitents of Belmont Shore Veterinary Hospital.

Prior to receiving her DVM at Colorado State University in 2000, she earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Utah.

Dr. Schochet completed a small animal internship at Wheatridge Animal Hospital in Wheatridge, Colorado in 2001. She then spent the next three years completing her radiology residency at Colorado State University, where she received her MS degree in 2004.

Dr. Schochet volunteers with several rescue groups that spay and neuter feral cats. She also diligently works to trap, spay, and neuter a colony of cats that lives close to her home in Long Beach, California.

Dr. Schochet is available to review your pet's x-rays and perform ultrasound procedures for further diagnostic workups when necessary.

She shares her home with Elvis, the big red dog, Peepay, the little black dog, and three rescue cats.

To learn more about Dr. Schochet please visit her web site at socalvetimaging.com

Dr. Fischer, a Southern California Native, graduated from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science/Pre-Vet.

He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University completing his clinical rotation at Oklahoma State University.

After more than 10 years in private practice as an owner of a large practice in Florida, Dr. Fischer’s love for surgery led him to return to California where he completed a surgical residency.

Dr. Fischer is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and has been providing specialty surgical services to over 50 Southern California Veterinary Hospitals for over 10 years.

Dr. Fischer’s team of technicians, who have over 25 years of combined experience, assist Dr. Fischer in providing your family veterinarian with specialized surgical services in the familiar surrounding of your family veterinarian’s hospital where they are familiar with your pet’s medical history and special needs.

For more information about Dr. Fischer please visit his web site at http://www.socalvetsurgeon.com