Dr. Heard's journey to veterinary medicine was not traditional! Her background was focused on research until 2010 - environmental, marine mammal, elasmobranch, coral reef ecology - to name a few. She received her undergraduate (BS) from UH Hilo in 2007 in marine science. Her work with NOAA's National Marine Fishery Service sparked her interest in veterinary medicine. She decided to change course - instead of pursuing her PhD as planned, she and her husband left the big island of Hawai'i to return to Texas (her home state) to pursue veterinary medicine. She graduated from Texas A&M Magna Cum Laude in 2016 where she completed an alternative track focusing on exotics. She trained with multiple instutitions including Shedd Aquarium, Houston Zoo, and Miami Seaquarium.
Her passion is for preventative care, internal medicine, exotics, dental care, and integrative medicine. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is currently pursuing her certification in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
Her focus as medical director is medicine quality, mentorship, client service, and promoting education. Above all, she wants to create a culture of ALOHA here at VCA Park Cities.
Outside of work, Dr. Heard is passionate for serving her community, sharing the ALOHA spirit, wildlife rehabilitation, scuba diving, and spending time with her current ohana which includes fish, reptiles, cats, her two beautiful daughters, Ho'o kili and Ke la'a'ula, and her husband, Alika.
