Monica Esquivel-Zarate, DVM (she/her), is a veterinarian at VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center. She earned her undergraduate degree in Ecological, Environmental and Organismal Biology from California State University Monterey Bay in 2019 and completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University in 2026. Before veterinary school, Dr. Esquivel-Zarate spent three years as a veterinary assistant, during which she developed a strong foundation in patient care and client communication.
Originally from East San Jose, California, Dr. Esquivel-Zarate is a bilingual, native Spanish speaker and a proud first-generation veterinarian. She has a special interest in aquatic and exotic animal medicine and is passionate about expanding access to high-quality veterinary care for underserved and underrepresented communities. She values building strong relationships with clients and believes compassionate communication is an important part of exceptional patient care.
Outside of work, Dr. Esquivel-Zarate enjoys hiking, exploring nature, caring for her growing collection of plants, and maintaining aquariums. She shares her home with her cats, Griezmann and Kylo Ren, who were bottle-raised littermates; Nebula, her rescued ball python; and a thriving Neocaridina shrimp colony.
