Dr. Rebecca de Castellanos, Dr. D for short, was born in San Diego but did the majority of her growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a child she loved going to the San Diego Zoo and originally wanted to be a Zookeeper, which she did for 3 years in Texas! She changed her mind and set her eyes on becoming a veterinarian after taking part in a veterinary internship at the Howell Nature Center in Michigan. At Michigan State University, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Zoology (with a minor in Spanish) before continuing on to the College of Veterinary Medicine there. After graduating, she completed a year-long internship at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. We were very happy to welcome Dr. D back to San Diego when she joined the VCA Rancho San Diego family in July of 2017. It didn't take long for us to bond with Dr. D, because much like the rest of the staff here, she loves food almost as much as she loves animals. She frequently accents her lunch from home with McDonald's French fries (wave to her if you see her in the drive-thru!).
Dr. D has special interests in cardiology and all exotic animal medicine but especially reptiles and fish. She has participated in externships at both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park and done additional studies and work in rural Mexico with chickens, goats, cows and horses. Dr. D spends her time away from work with her husband and daughter and their Coated Xoloitzcuintli, Callejero. She enjoys cooking, reading and cross-stitch at home and when she can find a babysitter, she enjoys traveling, tea tasting and ballroom and salsa dancing.
