
Welcome to Cornelius Pet Hospital! Elevating care in our community; giving our all for your pets.
At Cornelius Pet Hospital it is a source of pride for our team to be elevating care in our community. Our “community” transcends the geographic area of Ventura, California. We are referring to elevating care for the sake of our pet patients, their pet parents (our clients), and our team. We accomplish this by focusing on personal accountability and growth, open and transparent communication, a sense of humor, joy, and appreciation for each other and the companions we adore. Our reliability and dependability help build trusting relationships.
Led by a husband-wife veterinarian team, Drs. Brandon Heikes and Elise LaFevre, our team, take great pride in being responsible community stewards and neighbors. We want these foundational principles to show in all interactions with patients and clients. We are setting new standards for care with the following stand-out capabilities and expertise that complement our full range of procedures and services for every step in your pet’s health journey:
- Acupuncture—Dr. LaFevre is among the select providers in the country who specialize in acupuncture. She attained her veterinary acupuncture certification from Colorado State University. Our clients appreciate this as one of many options to ease pain and get their fur babies back on the right paw.
- Laser therapy—Our advanced approaches to pain management includes laser therapy and acupuncture. We leverage state-of-the-art technologies and think beyond the conventional to promote healing and an improved quality of life (all through the least invasive means possible).
- Dentistry—Your pet’s mouth is the gateway to the health of its whole body. The health of the teeth, gums, and other structures can influence the health of other organs and systems that may be distant from the mouth. Likewise, oral problems can provide insights into internal disease as they may be symptomatic of systemic illnesses. We have invested in continuing education on veterinary dentistry to blast tartar, banish the doggie breath, and boost your buddy’s health.
- On-site diagnostics—We offer complete and advanced diagnostic services, as we can only treat what we know. With an accurate and prompt diagnosis in hand, your pup or kitty will be back to tail-wagging and purring in no time. For added convenience, we also offer on-site pharmacy services.
- Same-day emergency care—Even with the best preventative care, accidents still happen. We are ready for the unexpected and whatever life may bring with responsive, urgent care that treats you and your pet with the patience and compassion you deserve during the most stressful and challenging times.
As we say, community isn’t a location alone. It is a way of life. The connections we build contribute to a rich, meaningful, and fulfilling life for our beloved pets, their owners, our team, and the animal welfare organizations and causes we support in Ventura, CA. While we have provided you with a glimpse into what makes our team tick and what we offer, this really is just skimming the surface. To find out more and to schedule a visit, contact Cornelius Pet Hospital today at (805) 793-1708.


Dr. Elise LaFevre
DVM, Practice Owner
Dr. Elise LaFevre feels honored to be part of the Ventura community, helping pets and their families. She has always loved caring for pets and people. Growing up, she knew she would become a veterinarian. She completed her undergraduate studies and veterinary school at Oregon State University. Dr. LaFevre believes in an individualized approach to medicine. She wants each family to know their pet’s care is based on compassion and continued education. She received veterinary acupuncture certification from Colorado State University and loves incorporating acupuncture into western practice when possible. When she’s not at Cornelius Pet Hospital, Dr. LaFevre enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with her own pets. Dr’s LaFevre and Heikes’s fuzzy family currently includes four dogs and a miniature pig.



Dr. Brandon Heikes
DVM, Practice Owner
Dr. Brandon Heikes is a native Californian proud to call Ventura his home. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in mathematics and anthropology, he spent time traveling the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. After returning home and working as a veterinary assistant in San Francisco, he realized he wanted to be a veterinarian. He attended Oregon State University, where he met Dr. LaFevre. He has a particular interest in feline medicine, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and fear-free practice. He is so excited to realize his dream with Cornelius Pet Hospital. When he’s not working, he enjoys cycling, soccer, and reading in his garden.



Total Wellness


Pain Management
Pain management using acupuncture and laser treatments
Learn more about acupuncture and laser

General Wellness
Tailored preventative general wellness services for your cat or dog.
Learn more about general wellness
Laboratory Testing/Diagnostic Testing
In-house diagnostic services.
Learn more about laboratory testing/diagnostic testing

Here for The Journey
For us, community isn’t just a location… it’s a way of life. From supporting local events to nurturing a welcoming, generous, and collaborative culture in our practice, we believe in the power of connection. Together, we strive to provide the greatest possible care for pets and their families, knowing that when we combine our strengths, we all thrive.
Connected Care
The bonds we share with our pets can defy explanation yet unite us with others, creating an instant connection. Through our mutual love for pets, we find a shared purpose: to do everything we can for their health and wellbeing.
We believe these connections are the key to exceptional veterinary care. We feel the love between you and your pet because we know it ourselves. We see situations from your perspective because we take the time to understand. We care for your pet by also caring for you.
Community Proud
For us, community isn’t just a location… it’s a way of life. From supporting local events to nurturing a welcoming, generous, and collaborative culture in our practice, we believe in the power of connection. Together, we strive to provide the greatest possible care for pets and their families, knowing that when we combine our strengths, we all thrive.
Success Stories

