Veterinary Technician
Hi, my name is Melissa Pintado, and I am a Veterinary Technician and Pharmacist at Point Vicente Animal Hospital. I am passionate about providing high-quality care and helping my patients feel comfortable and confident in their treatment.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Outside of work, you will find me exploring new places on walks with my rescue dog Tito, a three-quarter poodle mix from Mexico. Getting involved with animal rescues and animal programs is another passion of mine, as is traveling to new countries. At home, Tito shares space with TJ, a small poodle who was abandoned and came home with me from my first hospital, along with my guinea pigs Vinny, a four-year-old hairless, and Pauly, a two-year-old with a full coat.
Education
My Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary, comes from Cal Poly Pomona University, where I studied from August 2021 through December 2024. Making the Dean's List during my final semester of undergrad remains a proud accomplishment.
Professional Background
Two summer internships with Volunteers Around the World took me to Peru in June 2022 and Guatemala in August 2023, where our team set up mobile clinics offering free deworming, flea treatment, ear cleanings, and skin care, and presented veterinary education to students at local schools. My research background includes two studies conducted at Western University of Health Sciences, both published and available on PubMed and PubMed.
Work History
My career began in Riverside as a veterinary assistant from September 2021 to March 2025, assisting doctors and technicians with handling and restraint, boarding, patient check-in and check-out, and pharmacy refills, along with translating between English and Spanish for our clients. From March 2025 to May 2026, I worked as a Veterinary Technician at Pacific Animal Hospital in Redondo Beach, where my responsibilities grew to include vaccines and injections, blood and urine draws, anesthesia monitoring during surgery, patient histories, pharmacy refills, and collaboration with rescue groups. During 2024, I also served as a Vivarium Assistant at Cal Poly Pomona, handling, feeding, and medicating chameleons, lizards, frogs, turtles, and snapping turtles while maintaining their habitats.