Jessica Castaneda, DVM
Jessica Castaneda, DVM (formerly Dr. Sovereign) joined the team at Westridge in August 2015. She fulfilled her life-long dream of becoming a veterinarian after completing her Bachelor of Animal Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Originally from Ada, Oklahoma, Dr. Castaneda moved to the San Antonio area in 2013 and has been working as a general practitioner since that time. Her interests include preventive care, dentistry, Traditional Chinese Medicine and allergy management.
As a strong believer in life-long learning, she continues to further her knowledge of preventative medicine and general practice. She strives to create comprehensive, holistic management plans for her patients with the life qualities and preferences of the individual pets and their people in mind. In addition to the incorporation of conventional methods, she is currently pursuing certification in Traditional Chinese herbal medicine and later in acupuncture in order to offer more modalities to her patients. With her professional attitude, dedication, positive presence, compassion, and excellent communication skills, she works hand-in-hand with the entire Westridge team in the pursuit of providing those in her care with overall health and well-being.
Dr. Castaneda and her husband Tim have a son, Mitchell, as well as two dogs, a Lab mix named Mox and a terrier mix named Bindi and two cats, Yoko and A Boy Named Sue. The Castanedas love to spoil their baby and pets as much as possible. Dr. Castaneda enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, hiking, and horseback riding and toys with the idea of becoming a Master Naturalist one day.
Teresa Fransik, DVM
Teresa Fransik, DVM is a passionate believer in the health and wellness of people and their pets. She was trained as a traditional veterinarian and graduated from Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine. After an incident in 1998 with her beloved dachshund, Becky, she quickly discovered the value of chiropractic medicine when her own personal Chiropractor eliminated Becky’s severe neck pain. At the time, the laws of Texas would not allow for chiropractic adjustments of pets by veterinarians; however, years later when Dr Michelle Bammel suggested that she go back to school to get certified in Animal Chiropractic by AVCA, Dr Fransik was all in.
Dr Fransik loves helping her patients by providing gentle and accurate manipulation therapies of chiropractic adjustments and myofascial release to provide immediate and long-term release of muscle tension and pain. Her patients love to come in for their regular adjustments. She is also currently working on her certification as a Veterinary Food therapist through the Chi Institute, focusing on weight loss in overweight and obese pets.
Dr Fransik loves to hike with her husband, David. Since Texas does not have large elevation changes, they spend most of their time training for their next big hike in a new and beautiful location. She is also currently training to become a Certified Life and Weight Loss Coach.