Mariko Soto, DVM
Dr. Soto is a proud product of Albany public schools and is delighted to be back in her hometown. She is an alumna of Mills College and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her veterinary degree in 2003. She has worked at mixed-species vet hospitals around the Bay Area, but she has found that feline medicine is her true calling. She shares her home with a charming rescue cat named Jacket Potato, a small flock of delightful chickens, and a couple of marvelous humans.
Hadley, Registered Veterinary Technician
Hadley left an almost two decades-long corporate marketing career to pursue her dream of working with animals and acquired her Registered Veterinary Technician license in 2022. She has since gained invaluable experience in several East Bay veterinary hospitals and feels particularly passionate about everything anesthesia-related. Outside of work, Hadley loves spending time with her family, volunteers for a wildlife rescue & rehab organization, traps feral cats for neuters and spays, and befriends backyard critters such as raccoons and squirrels.
Clara, Registered Veterinary Technician
Clara graduated from Holyoke Community College in the spring of 2019 with a degree in Veterinary Science and received their certification soon after. After working with various kinds of furry creatures in Massachusetts, they moved to California in 2023. When not helping the Bay Area’s feline population, Clara enjoys long-distance running, taking naps with their cat Carmen, and doting on Maggie, their grumpy rabbit.
Hana, Registered Veterinary Technician
Hana is an Albany native who has been working as a RVT for 16 years. She loves spending time with her senior cat, Beefy, and her newly-rescued cat, Julius Juju. She also loves raccoon-watching at night.
Cadence, Receptionist
Cadence is a pre-dental post-baccalaureate student at UC Berkeley with an educational background in Linguistics and Cognitive Science from Occidental College. Raised in Los Angeles, she spent many years as a competitive dancer. Cadence and her family own a total of five cats.
Abigail, Veterinary Assistant
Abigail is a pre-vet student who graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Integrative Biology. She has a love for all animals, big and small, but holds a special place in her heart for her feline and equine friends. In her free time, she loves to read, crochet, and bird-watch.
Erica, Veterinary Assistant
Erica is a pre-vet student who graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in Integrative Biology and Psychology. She enjoys birding, track and sign, and spending time outdoors. She loves her pet snake, who she will often refer to as her “son.” When she’s not in the clinic, she likes to read in the park and volunteer at local vaccine clinics.
Xi, Scribe/Kennel Assistant
Xi is a pre-vet student at UC Berkeley studying Molecular Environmental Biology. She grew up with a variety of pets, including various exotic species. Outside of school she enjoys reading, volunteering at local clinics, spending time with friends, and hiking.
Shalan, Scribe/Kennel Assistant
After working as a software engineer, Shalan decided to pursue her longtime interest in veterinary medicine. She is currently taking classes through UC San Diego Extended Studies as she works toward her goal of attending veterinary school. A San Francisco native, Shalan shares her home with her cat, Whisky. Outside of the clinic, she volunteers with San Francisco Animal Care & Control and the San Francisco SPCA. In her free time, she enjoys making music and backpacking with friends.