River May, DVM

My name is Doctor River May and I am honored to be the Chief of Staff at Capitola Veterinary Hospital. I’d like to introduce myself and present my goals as your veterinarian.

I have always been close to animals. In fact, my first memory is of a territorial black rooster whose aggressive attitude taught me to respect the animals on our family farm. The pets I grew up with gave me an appreciation for the immense value and depth of the human-animal bond. I was twelve years old when our family moved to California and I caught my first wave in front of Jack O’Neil’s house a few months later. Shortly after high school, I began my studies at UC Santa Cruz where I earned a degree in Molecular Biology. I cherished living by the sea and working in local veterinary hospitals, a marine biology laboratory, and a wildlife rescue center. Eventually, I left for Veterinary School dreaming of returning to the warmth and beauty of Capitola.

I graduated from The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 and began my career in a Bay Area specialty referral hospital. Working with board-certified veterinary specialists for over ten years allowed me to hone advanced skills including endoscopy, ultrasound, critical care, and surgery. My desire to work closer to home compelled me to start my own practice in Capitola.

Capitola Veterinary Hospital combines friendly, professional, and compassionate service with advanced medical skills. Our progressive philosophy emphasizes preventative medicine to keep your pet healthy. Ongoing facility upgrades and continuing education allows us to offer better quality and more comprehensive services. We strive to accomplish growth while minimizing our environmental impact. I accept the privilege to care for your animals as an honor and look forward to meeting you.