Hospital

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jena Valdez oversees our most innovative and impactful veterinary care programs, which are designed to offer quality, compassionate care to shelter animals and affordable, non-judgmental veterinary care to clients and their pets.

In addition to overseeing veterinary services at the SF SPCA, Dr. Valdez pioneered the launch of the Community Veterinary Clinic, a first-of-its-kind, preventative care center in San Francisco’s Excelsior district (a longstanding veterinary-resource desert). She is also working to export the scalable Community Clinic model to under-resourced communities throughout California.

A graduate of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Valdez has extensive experience in private practice, sheltering, and high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter services. She’s a nationally recognized advocate for increasing access to veterinary care and increasing diversity within the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare.

Dr. Valdez shares her San Francisco home with her husband, their ball-obsessed Dachshund mix, and a regal brown tabby.

A case I’ll never forget was a Siamese cat named Shelby, who came to me as a small kitten lying in a box, unable to stand or walk. She’d been treated previously for orthopedic issues, but our lab work revealed she had a very rare genetic form of rickets, leaving her unable to build bone or make her muscles work. With careful treatment, we got Shelby up and running in just a couple of weeks!    

In veterinary school, they teach us that common ailments happen commonly; “If you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras.” I keep Shelby’s picture on my wall to remind me that zebras are out there, and sometimes, if you look hard enough, you’ll find one.    

During my journey to become a veterinarian, my childhood dog—and best friend—was diagnosed with a heart murmur during a routine wellness visit. He was my inspiration, and the experience propelled my goal to provide gold standard care to animals and their people. I’m very grateful to work at the SF SPCA, an organization that prioritizes access to veterinary care, and I’m privileged to positively impact the lives of pets and their humans each and every day.  

Upon graduating from college, I knew I wanted to work with animals, but I wasn’t sure in what capacity, because I also wanted to start a family. I found work in a small animal hospital with women who were both mothers and vets. I quickly saw that becoming a veterinarian would allow me to have a rewarding career and be a mother at the same time. Today, I am both, and I love it!

It’s important to me to be of service to my community and the people around me. I believe in supporting pet parents with the knowledge they need to care for their pets and to provide a wide spectrum of care to every patient, no matter their socio-economic status.

After graduating, my decision to work at the SF SPCA was a natural one for me. The sense of community within the organization is palpable, and I was drawn to the wealth of experience among the staff. Our collaborative approach to medicine ensures that each case benefits from multiple perspectives, enriching the care we provide. The variety of medicine is another aspect I cherish about working here. From urgent care in the main hospital to performing surgeries at our spay/neuter clinic, every day presents new challenges and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of pets.  

Recently, I looked at my old copy of Dr. Seuss’ "My Book About Me,” which I’d filled out when I was 11 years old. On the "What do you want to be when you grow up?" page, I'd written “Veterinarian.” 27 years later, I love being a veterinarian and witnessing the depth of the human animal bond daily. I’m especially excited to join the SF SPCA, where I’m able to serve all segments of society and help as many people as possible enjoy their pets’ unconditional love.  

I chose to work for the SF SPCA so I could serve the community I grew up in and be part of an organization that centers around animal welfare. I’m passionate about educating people on the needs of their animals so their pets can live long, happy lives. The SF SPCA allows me to bring my knowledge of animal health and medicine to a diverse and unique community that I’m proud to be a part of.  

Even though I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine since 1993, I still enjoy being with, observing, and working with animals and wildlife. I love drawing on my own personal and work experiences to connect with our clients and have a positive impact on people and their pets. 

As a child, I rescued stray kittens, injured squirrels, and skunks; and I always took note when our own pets were sick. Throughout my life, my father repeatedly told me I should pursue veterinary medicine. Finally, after graduating from college, I listened to him, and I have never looked back.

It wasn’t until I rescued my first dog in college that I thought about becoming a veterinarian. He was a sick puppy and was frequently in and out of the vet hospital near my house. I feel in love with him instantly and was drawn to the camaraderie of the veterinary field. Dogs make the world a better place and I’m beyond grateful to get to meet and help so many new ones each day!

I love working with animals on a daily basis, and I enjoy teaching their people how to keep them healthy and prevent future medical problems. I love the detective work of solving a mystery and learning new surgeries and techniques to help clients who might not be able to afford specialty-level care. I’m also excited to support healthy communities by teaching a new generation of veterinarians to provide compassionate care for all animals.