Dr. Lori Hammond grew up in sunny San Diego and always knew she would find her way back. She spent 10 years in Davis, CA, first as an undergrad studying Animal Science and then went on to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Lori has loved animals since she can remember and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian by the ripe old age of four! She has had many odd jobs working with animals including doing behavioral studies with the orangutans (her all-time favorite animal) at the San Diego Zoo, wildlife rehabilitation, working with lab animals, and volunteering at different private practices. She is ecstatic to be part of the VCA Market Street Team, and is thrilled to be living out her dream! She has been through her own medical challenges, suffering from a spinal cord injury when she was only 19 and then beating leukemia at 24! She hopes to bring the lessons she has learned from those experiences to her work, knowing that compassion and kindness are invaluable during difficult times. Lori enjoys her days off by cuddling with her blind cat, Baloo, (please ask to see pictures), cooking and baking, participating in whatever ocean sport she can–kayaking, outrigger paddling, swimming, and most importantly being with friends and family, usually with a craft beer in hand! She can not wait to meet you and your furry loved ones!