​Dr. Appel was born and raised here in San Diego, California. She earned her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from San Diego State University, focusing on Biology, English, and Child Development. She later relocated to Tennessee, where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Lincoln Memorial University. 
From a young age, Dr. Appel felt a deep connection to animals, which fostered her calling to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves; an instinct that ultimately led her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Her clinical interests include internal medicine, dermatology, soft tissue surgery, and emergency medicine. She is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care and values building meaningful relationships with her clients.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Appel enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with her husband and their two dogs, Maple and Huckleberry Finn. Their home is also shared with Fern, their feisty, rescued Jamul street cat. When not out in nature, she loves cooking for her family and pairing meals with local California wines.