The CVVH Team
Lisa Boczar, DVM
A native of Dearborn, Michigan, Dr. Lisa Boczar has cared for pets as an Associate Veterinarian at Carmel Valley Veterinary Hospital since 2001. Dr. Boczar previously practiced medicine at Durango Animal Hospital in Colorado from 1993 to 1999; Long Lake Veterinary Hospital & Sutton’s Bay Veterinary Hospital from 1999 to 2000; and at Rogue Animal Hospital in Oregon from 2000 to 2001.
Dr. Boczar attended Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University, where she majored in Wildlife Biology and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Science in 1991. She graduated from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine with highest honors and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Her professional interests include dermatology and internal medicine. Her goal is to improve the quality of life for her patients and clients as best she can.
Dr. Boczar shares her home with her husband Chris and their two children Chase and Olivia, their dog, Peso, and their two cats Architeuthis and Iggy who enjoy the sunshine and hunting opportunities offered in Carmel Valley. Dr. Boczar’s hobbies include running, traveling, hiking, biking, and reading.
Aysha Taff, DVM, PhD, CVA
Dr. Aysha Taff has cared for animals at Carmel Valley Veterinary Hospital since 2013. She was born in Redding, but has been a Central Coast resident since 1979, and knew she wanted to work with animals as a child in Los Osos.
She attended the University of California, Davis, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology (1998) and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Further interest in pediatric organ development led her to attain a PhD in Developmental Lung Toxicology in 2006, and in 2009, she became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through the Qi institute.
Dr. Taff’s favorite part of the practice is optimizing the wellness of pets and their families using multiple available treatments, with snuggling feline and canine patients running a very close second. (She has even crawled through culverts to rescue kittens!) She is a big believer in the low, to no-stress, veterinary visit, and her patients appreciate it.
Dr. Taff enjoys spending time with her daughters Naia and Xochi, cat Gru, and dog Xiao Bao. During Dr. Taff’s spare time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, and studying the practice of Integrative Medicine, geriatric care, and pharmacology.
Deborah Bellingham, DVM
Dr. Bellingham was born and raised in Boston, MA and raised two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. Dr. Bellingham was also on active duty and was deployed during 9/11 where she served her country proudly as a Veterinarian for the US Army for many years. She received her Bachelor’s at Middlebury College and her Doctorate from Tufts University in 1988.
Dr. Bellingham is certified through the International Veterinary Dental Institute, and previously received the Animal Science Teaching Award and the Faculty Teaching Award from Mt. Ida College.
Her professional interests include animal dentistry and feline medicine and surgery. In her spare time, Dr. Bellingham enjoys her many animals (dogs, cats, horses, livestock and many chickens), creating a sustainable home, and knitting, along with aspirations to do endurance rides.
James Holt, DVM
Dr. Holt has cared for animals at Carmel Valley Veterinary Hospital since 1975 and is also an owner.
Born in Yakima, Washington, Dr. Holt lived in many different areas of the United States and Europe before finally settling in Carmel Valley in 1958. To fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian and working with animals, Dr. Holt attended UC Davis where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Physiology. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Davis in 1974. He is currently a member of the MBVMA, CVMA, and AVMA.
His professional interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Holt’s favorite part about being a veterinarian is the “human/animal bond.” He feels very satisfied knowing he is helping both the animals and their owners.
When he is not busy at work, Dr. Holt enjoys a number of outdoor sports, including road and mountain biking, kayaking, skiing and hiking. He can also be found in the kitchen cooking delicious meals alongside his wife, Leslie; keeping in touch with his daughter Brittany and son Matt; or being entertained by his Portuguese Water Dogs, Marcus and Tatiana.
Zoe Littledove, General Manager / Human Resources
Ms. Littledove was born at home in Huntington Beach, CA but moved to Carmel Valley in 1988. Zoe began her career in veterinary medicine in 2001, by managing the front end of a Sacramento region veterinary hospital. She took time off to raise her children and then moved back home to the Monterey Peninsula in 2022, where she officially joined the team at CVVH.
Zoe enjoys working with people and their pets, but mostly cherishes utilizing integrity and effective communication to create a mutually advantageous situation for all. Her hobbies include puzzles, baking, traveling, shopping with her friends and Disneyland trips with her daughter and other half, Chris. She also enjoys cuddling with her kitty, Flynn.
Casey Hilliard, Practice Manager
Casey Hilliard has been dedicated to veterinary medicine since 2011 and proudly serves as the Practice Manager at Carmel Valley Veterinary Hospital. Born and raised on California’s Central Coast, Casey is passionate about supporting both pets and the people who care for them.
As a lifelong animal advocate, she is committed to promoting animal welfare and helping ensure every patient receives compassionate, high-quality care. Casey enjoys building strong relationships with clients and fostering a positive experience for both pets and their families.
Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband, Bret, their two children, Audrey and Brady, and their four beloved animals. Her love for animals and commitment to the community continue to inspire her work every day.
Zachary Pollack, DVM
Dr. Pollack grew up in Westchester, New York, where his journey toward veterinary medicine began at the age of 14 while working at a local animal clinic much like Carmel Valley Veterinary Hospital. He continued working there after highschool throughout summers and whenever possible during college. Those early experiences showed him that becoming a veterinarian could become a reality.
Initially, Dr. Pollack planned to pursue a career in law and policy focused on animal welfare. He attended Indiana University, where he studied Criminal Justice and Animal Behavior. However, through his experiences and continued work with animals, he discovered that all roads eventually led him back to medicine. He later matriculated into the Royal Veterinary College in London, where he expanded his experience working with a wide variety of species and met his future wife, Kendra, who now practices as a veterinarian with the Monterey SPCA.
Dr. Pollack’s favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is partnering with pet parents to find meaningful solutions for their companions while supporting the human-animal bond; Always looking for ways to make sure our pets never feel pain in silence. He values that veterinary medicine is a profession of continual learning, where every day presents new challenges and opportunities to grow.
Dr. Pollack and his wife share their home with their Australian Shepherd, Luek, and their energetic tripod Border Collie, Laika, who joined the family through the SPCA. Outside of work, Dr. Pollack enjoys golfing around the Peninsula, trying new recipes in the kitchen, spending time playing frisbee with the dogs, and working with his father on a book about the adventures and experiences of veterinary school.