Dr. Betsy H. Martinez was born in Rhode Island and raised in Central Florida.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Central Florida and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee.  She also completed a 1-year, small animal internship at VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center here in Albuquerque. During this time, she fell in love with Albuquerque’s diverse culture, mountains and green chile.

Prior to her veterinary career, she served in the United States Army, as an ammunitions specialist, and worked at the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ as a train conductor at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Dr. Martinez enjoys traveling and has visited many US states, as well as several countries, such as Japan, Germany, Spain, France and Caribbean Islands-just to name a few.

Dr. Martinez is mother to one human daughter named Ava, a cat named Sookie and dog named Ace. Outside of work, her passions include skiing, hiking, gardening, baking, cooking, sewing and crafts.  She also loves to binge watch Korean dramas.

In addition to dogs and cats, she has worked with a wide variety of animals such as horses, tigers, and other large cats, as well as multiple other wildlife species during her time on animal husbandry, and rehabilitation. Dr. Martinez really enjoys ophthalmology and plans to complete a residency to become a specialist in this field. Her other professional interests include soft tissue surgery and dentistry.

Dr. Martinez is thankful to be here and looks forward to her future with VCA West Mesa.