Dr. Cecilia Sambrano’s love and appreciation for animals and the natural world stretches back to her early childhood days when she aspired to be like her heroes, Steve Irwin and Jack Hanna. Growing up, she always had pets in the house including dogs, birds, fish, turtles, and at one time, even a duck! She knew from the time she was 4 years old that one day, she would be a veterinarian and she never gave up that dream.
Dr. Sambrano was born and raised in Claremont, California where she attended Scripps College and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Organismal Biology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she volunteered at a local animal shelter where she was eventually promoted to a manager position, and she began working as a veterinary assistant here at La Verne Animal Hospital. She went on to attend veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California and was able to maintain her relationship with La Verne Animal Hospital as she continued working during her weekends and breaks. Upon graduation, Dr. Sambrano kept that connection strong and remained with the practice, but this time, as a doctor.
Dr. Sambrano has a keen interest in public health and completed an internship with Los Angeles County’s Veterinary Public Health Department during her fourth year of vet school where she learned more about zoonotic diseases and One Health—the concept that animal health, human health, and environmental health are all interconnected. With this in mind, she lives by the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and enjoys educating her clients on the best ways to keep their pets healthy.
Dr. Sambrano has two dogs—a maltipoo named Oliver and a Siberian husky named Nymeria. During her free time, she enjoys reading, fiber arts like sewing, crochet, and embroidery, and being outdoors for camping and hiking.