Staff Veterinarians
Dr. Cherie Connolly
Medical Director and Founder, Compass Veterinary Clinic
At the age of six years, Dr. Connolly learned (among other things) that some people get paid to take care of animals. Since her idea of a perfect world is one in which animals live forever without ever becoming injured or falling ill, Dr. Connolly resolved to acquire a degree in Veterinary Medicine.
In 1985, she left sunny southern California for the Pacific Northwest, where she earned her Bachelor of Science at Oregon State University. She was awarded her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from both Oregon State University and Washington State University in 1992.
Dr. Rebecca Richard
DVM, Wildlife Veterinary Services, Malibu, California 90265
Dr. Rebecca Richard graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and practiced large animal ambulatory medicine for over a decade before turning full-time to zoo and exotic species.
She has worked at the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Zoos, California Wildlife Center, and was chief vet at the Wildlife Waystation in addition to serving as an adjunct professor at Moorpark College’s Teaching Zoo. Dr. Richard cares for animals of all sizes and shapes in her sanctuary and wild animal practice, though she has a particular soft spot for big cats, especially the stripey ones.
Her professional areas of expertise include rescue, disaster and emergency preparedness, and field anesthesia. She is delighted and honored to join the WildCat Ridge Sanctuary family!
Dr. Penny Jacobs
DVM, Berry Hill Veterinary Center
Dr. Penny Jacobs graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She started her veterinary career in Athens, GA, and then decided to move to the great Northwest in 2007. She helped re-launch Berry Hill Veterinary Center in 2008 and completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) course in acupuncture soon after.
This opened her eyes up to the world of alternative and complementary medicine which she has integrated into her already holistic approach. Dr. Jacobs further developed her holistic education and practice by studying Food Therapy and Advanced Acupuncture at the Chi Institute and incorporates this nutrition knowledge as well as Chinese herbs and supplements into her daily practice. She developed and still practices a strong base in traditional diagnostics and treatments as well as surgery.
She has been a cat lover for as long as she can remember and is honored to be able to work with the wonderful feline friends at the sanctuary.