Search the internet and you’ll discover a plethora of conflicting ideas and opinions on what it looks like to be a good puppy parent.
We are thrilled to cut through all the noise by going straight to the experts to unpack the answers you are searching for.
Rather than being bombarded with yet another dog-lover’s opinion, here you’ll discover tips, words of wisdom, and crystal-clear next steps straight from the experts themselves.
Our team of veterinarians are dog experts who are passionate about providing you with the honest answers you need to be your best dog-loving self.
Without further ado, meet the vets.
Heather Venkat, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Dr. Heather Venkat has been a veterinarian since 2013, working in companion animal medicine with dogs and cats, as well as veterinary public health.
Her passion revolves around helping dog lovers understand prevention while also strengthening the human-animal bond.
Dr. Venkat earned her Degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
She later went on to complete her Masters in Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology. Since 2015, Dr. Venkat has published nearly two dozen scientific manuscripts regarding investigations she has been involved in.
Thanks to her passion for prevention, in 2018 Dr. Venkat became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (DACVPM).
Today Dr. Venkat is serving as the State Vet of Arizona and volunteers in performing dog and cat spays and neuters twice a year through AsaVet, a non-profit organization which travels to rural areas within Arizona.
Dr. Venkat is a bonafide animal-lover who, in her free time, competes in dog sports and currently shares her home with a border collie mix named Luna, three cats, and two leopard geckos.
Sara Ochoa, DVM
As a little girl, there was one thing Dr. Sara Ochoa wanted to be when she grew up: a veterinarian.
Her childhood days were spent in the country alongside a variety of animals including dogs, cats, chickens, and turkeys.
During undergrad, Ochoa excelled quickly in becoming a veterinary technician at a local veterinary clinic In 2011, she went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in animal science.
From there, Ochoa relocated with her dog Ruby to Grenada where she pursued a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Following veterinary school, Dr. Ochoa began serving at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas.
Today Dr. Ochoa enjoys developing positive relationships with her clients as she provides their pets with excellent care.
Dr. Ochoa’s professional interests include both surgery and exotic animal medicine.
Snippets of her free time are spent volunteering with a local high school as well as a veterinary technician instructing students within a clinical setting.
Amidst her veterinary work, Dr. Ochoa is loving life alongside her husband Greg and their three fur babies: Ruby the Schnoodle, Monkey the tortoise, and Oliver James (affectionately dubbed “OJ”) the cat.
