Our Team

Dr. Alan Mafara, BVSc

Dr. Alan Mafara

Veterinarian, Owner

Dr. Alan Mafara is an experienced veterinarian dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for companion animals. With decades of experience in veterinary medicine, he focuses on preventive care, orthopedic surgery, veterinary dentistry, and advanced pain management to help pets live healthier, more comfortable lives.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Dr. Mafara earned his veterinary degree from the University of Zimbabwe in 1993 and later relocated to Arizona in 2003 to continue his veterinary career. Over the years, he has pursued extensive continuing education to expand his expertise in specialized areas of veterinary care.

In addition to his surgical and dental work, Dr. Mafara has advanced training in physical rehabilitation therapy, including the use of an underwater treadmill, which helps improve mobility, recovery, and strength in pets following injury or surgery. He is also trained in veterinary acupuncture and pain management, using integrative approaches to reduce pain, support healing, and improve overall quality of life for animals with chronic conditions.

Known for his thoughtful and patient-centered approach, Dr. Mafara is committed to helping pet owners make informed decisions that support the long-term health and well-being of their animals.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Mafara is a licensed private pilot and holds a certification in gemstones. He also has a growing interest in communication and leadership and is currently pursuing expertise in public speaking.

Dr. Alan Mafara, BVSc

Dr. Tracy Connolly

Associate Veterinarian

 

Rachelle Rollins

Rachelle Rollins

Lead Customer Service Representative

Rachelle started at EVAH in December 2012 as a veterinary assistant and receptionist where her duties include cleaning, performing diagnostics and establishing relationships with clients. She enjoys playing the “motherly” role when taking care of sick patients and watching them get well warms her heart. “I’ve always had a deep connection with animals, especially dogs,” Rachelle says. “Seeing my miniature pinscher diagnosed with diabetes gave me the push to pursue a career in the veterinary field.”

Rachelle has one daughter, a dog named Yukon and a rat named Atticus. Her hobbies include makeup application, going to concerts, “Sunday Funday” with her family and going to the coffee shop with her best friend. Rachelle appreciates the great relationships she has with her co-workers and considers them to be family

Rachelle Rollins

Francesca Castellanos

Veterinary Technician

Francesca was born in Nogales, Az and raised in the small town of Rio Rico. Once Francesca graduated high school she moved to Phoenix, AZ to pursue her dream of working in the veterinary field. She has worked her way from working in retail jobs to volunteering at animal shelters and starting as a veterinary assistant.

She takes college courses in her free time and loves to spend time with her two wonderful nieces or go visit family back home.

Donna Guevara

Donna Jones

Lead Veterinary Technician

Donna traveled from California to Arizona in search of a new adventure shortly after graduating high school. Once in Arizona, being a short road trip away from snow and so close to mountains was reason enough to stay. Donna has always had a love for animals, but there was a time where she considered working as a ‘human nurse.’ One day, it just hit her that helping animals was IT for her! She started school to become a veterinary technician and graduated from Kaplan University in 2011 and the rest is history! She does plan on continuing her education and hopes to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Her dream is to one day work at a wildlife park and get to interact with all the amazing tigers, lions, and bears!

When not at work, Donna loves to hang out with her coworkers–who are like family to her, take care of her animals, play video games, read comics and watch all the Marvel/DC movies, watch anime and be the designated taste tester for her husband, Steven, whenever he tries new recipes at home. He repays the favor when Donna tries new baking recipes. The first 2 pets they have are a blue pit that she adopted named Havoc and Talo her cat who moved with her from California. She found him as a stray kitten and he turned out to be the ideal road trip partner during her move. He sat in the front seat and napped, he only complained when the AC was not pointed directly at him! New additions, Harley and Igneel (Iggy for short) are their bearded dragons. Harley is a leatherback and Iggy is a Citrus. They are little hungry hippos that love exploring the house, sitting on top of your head and scaring Havoc and Talo.

Donna understands the unfortunate situation of when something unexpected happens to your fur-babies. Sometimes it is scary and frustrating and there are a lot of emotions. Having her own pets, Donna understands and has felt what some clients go through when something scary happens with their fur babies.

Rachel Wilson

Rachel Carpenter

Lead Veterinary Technician

Rachel has been in the veterinary field for 15 years now, working with Dr. Mafara for a total of more than 13 of those years and Dr Connolly for six years. She shares her home with the most important man in her life, Steve the Cat, her 15 year old Manx. She does have one other man in her life, Blu, her 23 year old quarter horse, who lives at her mom’s house with her horse Splash. Steve and Rachel are mostly homebodies. You’ll usually find them there watching TV, movies, reading or playing video games. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, but Steve usually stays home. She couldn’t imagine having any other job or working with any other group of people. They all share a passion for keeping pets happy and healthy as if they were their own.

Rachelle Rollins

Audrey Barton

Veterinary Technician

Audrey began working for EVAH in May of 2011. As a nurse for pets, she does everything from running diagnostics to monitoring anesthesia. Throughout her career with EVAH, she is most proud of her personal and professional growth, going from assistant work to now taking on more responsibility. Audrey is especially proud of her skill at monitoring anesthesia and helping with surgeries, and she enjoys making the clients and patients as comfortable as possible and making every interaction a great experience for everyone.

After graduating from EVIT, Audrey worked in surgery specialty for over a year-and-a-half before transitioning to the EVAH team full time, where her passion for patient care shines. A native of Mesa, AZ, Audrey spends her free time loving on her own fur babies, as well as long boarding, playing video games, reading, hiking and listening to live music. 

Rachelle Rollins

Sophia Yates

Physical Therapy Technician

Sophi has worked professionally in the veterinary medical field since 2022, but has nearly a lifetime of rehab and rescue experience with shelter pets, as well as with reptiles! She’s worked the last few years in emergency and critical care, and has worked as a Physical Therapy Veterinary Technician with us since early 2024. Sophi’s passion in the VetMed world include long term nursing care, like ICU and physical therapy. She loves working one on one with patients over time, gradually seeing them improve day by day.

She lives with her spouse and their “zoo” in Payson, which include dogs, cats, aquatics, and reptiles! She enjoys spending her time lounging under the pine trees, doing outdoor activities, or just cuddling up on the couch watching scary movies with her partner. She also has an impressive music festival resume, and hopes to continue to be able to expand her passport destination list.