Unlike many of her colleagues, Karen didn’t initially set out to work in the veterinary field. To the contrary – she originally thought she wanted to become a lawyer. Her deep interest in medicine and science, and an innate love of animals, however, would ultimately shift her path in a different direction. As a veterinary assistant, Karen is grateful to be doing what she feels she’s meant to do: making a difference in the lives of pets and their families.

Karen attended college in her home island of Puerto Rico, where she applied to be part of the pre-vet program. While in school, she participated in an internship involving the care of marine turtles. It was an incredible experience that further fueled her desire to work in veterinary medicine. She then spent some time shadowing at a vet clinic where she was eventually hired. After relocating to Iowa, Karen joined the Ingersoll Animal Hospital team in June of 2023.

One of the things Karen enjoys most about her job is educating new pet owners on how to be the best pet parents to their fur-babies. She also enjoys witnessing the journey of pets who are healing and regaining strength following a complicated disease process. Last, but not least, Karen recently began participating in the rehabilitation program, which provides new options for pets to enjoy an optimal quality of life.

Outside of the clinic, Karen has several pets of her own, including a very spoiled cat named Mota, who was born in Karen’s closet and ended up staying after all of her littermates were adopted; a mixed breed dog named Petunia, whom Karen rescued from the middle of the road after her mother had been hit by a car; and Apex, a handful of a Huskey who is extremely intelligent. Besides her fur-babies, Karen lives with her long-time partner, Edwin, whom she met during college.