Santiago Laverde

Dr. Laverde is a proud Colombian-American, born in Naples, Florida, where his journey toward becoming a veterinarian began. His passion for animal care was sparked while working with the giraffes at the Naples Zoo. This experience inspired him to travel abroad to Botswana for five weeks, where he gained invaluable insights into wildlife conservation. He then made the long hike up to the northeast to pursue his undergraduate studies at Haverford College, located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology. Committed to becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Laverde then worked as a veterinary assistant for two years in the area, further developing essential skills and deepening his commitment to animal health and welfare. Dr. Laverde then went on to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (VMD) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the first veterinary school in the country! Eager to return to the coast, he then made the long journey to San Diego to join us at Otay Pet Vets, and is ecstatic to live close to the beach again. Dr. Laverde’s current veterinary interests include internal medicine, cardiology, and behavior. Beyond his professional interests, he enjoys traveling and exploring new cuisines, reading sci-fi novels (go Stephen King!), running, and playing video games in his spare time. All in all, Dr. Laverde is super excited to bring his diverse experiences and passion for veterinary medicine to the clinic, meet all the new wonderful clients, and strive to provide exceptional care to all our sweet animal patients.