All of our hospitals are fully equipped with surgical operating suites. SAGE surgeons perform a range of advanced procedures that include soft tissue, cancer, orthopedic, and neurologic surgeries. Our surgeons collaborate with every department across SAGE to ensure your pet has access to the most advanced medical and surgical care.
Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive surgery techniques to lessen the impact of tissue injury and provide your pet with a quicker return to normal activity.
Background and Education: Veterinary School: Colorado State University Internship Training: Private practice veterinary specialists, San Diego Residency Training: Animal Medical Center, New York Certification: Diplomate ACVS (2001)
Dr. Martin Aitken attended both Metropolitan State College in Denver, CO and Colorado State University. He received his DVM from Colorado State (1994). From there, he completed a private practice internship in San Diego, followed by a year-long surgical internship at the same practice. He then completed a residency in small animal surgery at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, staying on to serve two years as a clinical instructor and service head in the practice’s surgical department. Dr. Aitken particularly enjoys performing soft tissue surgery with specific interest in oncologic, thoracic and hepatic surgery. He became a board certified surgeon in 2001.
When not practicing, Martin enjoys cycling, scuba diving, and baseball. A little-known fact about Martin is that he was a rodeo bull rider in his youth. Dr. Aitken also serves as the medical consultant and volunteers for his wife’s guinea pig rescue organization, CAVY World Guinea Pig Rescue.
Background and Education: Veterinary School: University of California, Davis Internship Training: Pet Emergency & Specialty Center (La Mesa, CA); Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists (Annapolis, MD) Residency Training: Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists Certification: Diplomate ACVS (2014)
Dr. Mark Dosch grew up in Pasadena, California and moved to northern California to attend UC Davis. After graduating in 2004 with a degree in animal science, he attended the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, Dr. Dosch moved to San Diego for a 1-year rotating internship at the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center. He then moved to Maryland for a surgical internship at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists, and continued his surgical training with a 3-year small animal surgery residency at that practice. He moved back to northern California in 2013 and successfully passed the American College of Veterinary Surgery board exam in 2014. Dr. Dosch’s professional interests include soft tissue, orthopedic and neurologic surgery and the ability to implement minimally invasive techniques in both the investigation and treatment of orthopedic and soft tissue disease processes.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Amanda (also a veterinarian), family (including his dogs, Harper and Maddie, and cat, Sprite), and friends. He enjoys fly fishing, deep sea fishing, photography (particularly nature and landscape), SCUBA diving, and hiking in beautiful California. He is also an avid sports fan, rooting hard for Dodgers baseball fan and USC and Packers football.
Background and Education: Veterinary School: Colorado State University Internship Training: Animal Medical Center, New York Residency Training: Animal Medical Center, New York Certification: Diplomate ACVS (1996)
Dr. Lissa Richardson graduated from Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. She completed her internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Following two years of private practice, Dr. Richardson returned to the Animal Medical Center to complete her residency in surgery. Lissa was a clinical instructor of small animal surgery at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine for two years before joining SAGE Centers in 1994. Lissa has been a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons since 1996. Dr. Richardson enjoys all aspects of surgery; soft tissue, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. Her special interests include reconstructive and paw surgery.
Lissa, along with other SAGE veterinarians, regularly gives presentations as part of Cover Your K9’s day-long first aid class for police dog handlers. She also gives fun presentations to school groups and has been to several Career Day events in local schools. Dr. Richardson is married and has two children and a black lab (adopted from a rescue group). She enjoys mountain bike riding, hiking, skiing, and really anything outdoors.
SAGE Self-Service Portal / Online PharmacyNeed to make an appointment, request medical records, leave a message for your medical team, or complete a RX refill request?
Your requests and inquiries will then be sent to our client service team who will be in touch with you within 24-72 hours, depending on the request. Our SAGE Self-Service Portal helps reduce high call volumes, hold times, and provides our pet parents the added convenience of digital capabilities to get in touch with us versus calling in.
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