Meet the Team at Del Mar Heights Veterinary Hospital

Get to know our experienced team at Del Mar Heights Veterinary Hospital in Del Mar, CA! From our welcoming receptionists to our skilled veterinary technicians, we go the extra mile to ensure that your pets receive the best possible care every step of the way.

Meet Our Staff

Our Compassionate Veterinary Team in Del Mar, CA

Dr. Richard Baer

Dr. Richard Baer

Veterinarian

Richard Baer began work in private practice after graduating from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1984. He has worked in the San Francisco bay area and San Diego prior to founding Del Mar Heights Veterinary practice in 1990.

Dr. Baer and his wife have raised three sons in the Carmel Valley area, along with their golden retriever, Molly and their labrador, Maggie. While not working he enjoys skiing, biking, and running.

Dr. Lauren Jackson

Dr. Lauren Jackson

Veterinarian

Originally from South Africa, Dr. Jackson has lived in four different countries. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences at the University of California, Irvine. She then went on to earn her veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow in Scotland – the same school that the famous vet, James Herriot, attended. She graduated with commendation in 2015 and moved back to Southern California to practice.

Dr. Jackson has a passion for providing gold-standard care to your pets. She especially enjoys getting to know her clients and working with them to come up with a healthcare plan that works best for everyone.

In her free time, Dr. Jackson enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and a 3-legged cat named Abbie (named after the Scottish whisky, Aberlour). She also enjoys gardening, hiking, yoga, traveling, and checking out all of San Diego’s amazing restaurants.

Dr. Kim Cargen

Dr. Kim Cargen

Veterinarian

Dr. Cargen was born and raised in Tucson, AZ, where her parents owned and operated an equine boarding facility. She has had a passion for animals for as long as she can remember. She was an avid horse rider, and actively participated in equestrian competitions. She worked for 10 years as a veterinary technician prior to entering veterinary school.

Dr. Cargen graduated from Kansas State University in 2004, and subsequently completed one year of theriogenology (equine reproductive medicine) at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. She has extensive veterinary experience in a variety of clinical settings, including emergency, outpatient, and hospital-based practices. In September 2019, she completed additional education in animal chiropractic and became a Board-Certified Animal Chiropractor.

In her spare time, Dr. Cargen enjoys spending time with her dog (Philly), 3 cats (Hector, Vinney, and Creep), and a horse (Groot).