Originally from Los Angeles, California, Rich graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from St Matthew’s University in 2009, having already completed bachelor's degrees in animal science (’91) and poultry science (’03) from Texas A&M University. He completed his veterinary clinical rotation year at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine as part of the overall doctorate degree program at St Matthew’s.
Rich started out in the animal healthcare field at the age of 12 years old as a veterinary assistant in West Hollywood, California. During high school, and concurrent with his continuing work at the vet clinic, Rich also held internships at the Los Angeles Zoo and at the Pepperdine University Equestrian Center in Malibu, CA. Before attending veterinary school, Rich was a veterinary assistant and vet tech for over twenty-two years, with the seven years preceding vet school spent as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) in both California and Texas. After graduation from vet school, he hand-built and managed his own practice in southern California. After selling the practice, he moved up north to be closer to his future wife and has been practicing in the San Francisco area for the past seven years.
Ask “Dr. Rich” what his specialty is and he will humbly reply bedside manner, meaning he prides himself on personalized interactions with patients and clients. Rich loves both surgery and general medicine, and he has interests in geriatric medicine, companion animal nutrition, and exotic pet medicine. Dr. Rich’s hobbies outside of work include automobile restoration and repair, carpentry, and playing guitar.
