Veterinarians and Clinics
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. Cheryl Roth
DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), Co-Owner & Medical Director, Guardian Veterinary Care
Dr. Cheryl Roth is the seasoned and compassionate practitioner you want as your veterinarian. Her knowledge and dedication to her patients is a shining example of Guardian’s promise to be a client’s guide and patient’s ally in our practice.
Dr. Roth grew up in Northern Nevada, and graduated from Colorado State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in May 2004. As Colorado State University is known as a pioneer in veterinary cancer care in the US, Dr. Roth had extensive training and many oncology cases during her time there. As a result, she feels very comfortable treating many oncology cases and bridging the gap between general practice and specialty care for those patients.
Dr. Kristin Gerard
DVM, Co-Owner & Chief Culture Officer, Guardian Veterinary Care
From the moment she walks into the exam room, Dr. Gerard creates an authentic connection with her clients and patients through her fresh approach. She goes out of her way to hear client concerns and understand the unique relationship that each client has with their fur family. This understanding allows her and our team to offer a treatment plan that fits the needs of both the pet and the family.
Dr. Gerard graduated from the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spring of 2007. That summer, she moved to New York City to pursue a small animal medical and surgical internship. She trained under several specialists in surgery, internal medicine, critical care, and cardiology at a busy emergency and referral facility in the heart of the city.
Dr. Benji Alcantar
DVM, Head Veterinarian, Wildlife Safari
Dr Benji Alcantar has provided veterinary services and consulting for WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. With his incredible background with big cats it great to have him on our team!
He’s currently the head vet at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, OR where he has been for the last 15 years; he is also an adjunct clinical instructor at Oregon State University and Western University of Health Sciences in California. Dr. Benji has been practicing exotic animal medicine for the last 18 years. He recently started a zoo/exotic animal medicine consulting business, Wild River Veterinary Services LLC, with the focus to aid local zoological facilities and sanctuaries that have limited access to an experienced wildlife veterinarian.
Dr. Penny Jacobs
DVM, Dr. Penny's Vet Care
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.