Our Doctors
Dr. Brenda Mack
Why did I want to be a Veterinarian?
Growing up in Northern New Mexico we always had dogs and horses. We never had money to seek veterinary care, and even if we had had the funds, my dad really didn’t believe in spending money on animals. When I was 12 years old, I remember my brother’s dog Jessie being hit by a car and feeling so helpless because there was nothing that I could do for her. I made a vow to myself that when I grew up, I would always be able to take care of my own animals.
I attended CSU in Fort Collins, Colorado for veterinary school and graduated in 1998. After graduating, I practiced in Canon City, Colorado for several years before moving to a ranch south of Mountainair where I still reside with my husband and two girls and numerous horses, cows, dogs, cats, chickens, with an occasional show goat and pig thrown in to keep life entertaining.
I enjoy my commute and love that I get to read a lot of audiobooks! I enjoy learning and love books from authors like Brene Brown that help propel me forward. Two of my dogs, Carmel Macchiato and Annie Oakley make the commute with me every day. Carmel is a tiny Pomeranian cross named after my favorite Starbucks drink! Oakley is a miniature schnauzer that I adopted when my oldest daughter went to college. She was named Oakley because my daughter Dalli, has always been an amazing marksman. I work hard to balance being a veterinarian, ranch wife and the chaos of this busy season of life as I try to embrace the shuffling of kids to rodeos, shoots, and county fairs. There is a whole lot of living going on currently in my household.
Many people discouraged me from becoming a vet. I was warned it could be a thankless job, with long hours, and the salaries were not very good for the amount of schooling a vet goes through. I am very happy with my career choice; I love helping animals and witnessing the amazing bond that exists between my clients and their pets. Every single day, I get to help some pet and their person. There is nothing better than seeing a sick pet start to eat again or doing a recheck on a wound and seeing it all healed. I hope all my clients can feel how much I care and also see how much I love my job. I believe people know their pets and that every pet and owner deserve customized care. When we work as a team, we can do what is best for their individual pet.
Dr. Elise Elliott
Dr. Elliott is a Colorado State University graduate with a BS in Animal Sciences in 1981 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 1985.
Dr. Elliott grew up in Albuquerque, NM. She decided that she wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 5 years old. During her undergraduate years at CSU she worked as a milker on a family owned dairy and as a veterinary assistant at various small animal hospitals during her school breaks.
After graduating from veterinary school in 1985, she worked in Albuquerque for a few years and then moved to Los Lunas. She went into practice partnership at a clinic in the South Valley for over 22 years. In 2009 that clinic was sold and Dr. Elliott did relief veterinary work for a while then went back to full time practice and is now very happy to work with the Valencia Animal Clinic team. Dr. Elliott is also proud to be a part-time instructor for the CNM Veterinary Technician Program.
Dr. Elliott loves corgis and has a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Tuffy whose favorite hobby is collecting squeaky toys. Dr. Elliott’s favorite hobbies are fiber crafts like crocheting, knitting and cross- stitching.
Our Staff
Denise, Practice Manager
Denise joined the clinic team in May 2015 to assist Dr. Mack with the business side of the clinic. She graduated from the College of Santa Fe with a bachelor’s degree in business management with concentration on Management and Management Information Systems. Prior work experience was at Sandia National Laboratories as a System Analyst before she became a full-time mom.
Denise has 2 “two-legged” gorgeous children, an amazing two-legged handsome husband, and 1 “four-legged” beautiful red heeler named Ginger who guards and protects their property.
Hope, Registered Veterinary Technician
Hope joined our team in May of 2017. She graduated from CNM with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology. Before going to school for Veterinary Technology and joining the staff at Valencia Animal Clinic, she spent many years working with young children in a preschool setting. Hope is Fear Free certified.
Hope has a feline fur baby named Bettie and is family to a few other doggy fur kids. She has helped many stray animals find their way to their homes and specializes in reuniting lost pets with their people.
Rebecca, Nurse
Rebecca joined our staff in April of 2015 after relocating from Texas. She came to us with over 10 years’ experience in an animal hospital by working her way up from a kennel tech to a skilled veterinary nurse.
Rebecca has three “fur babies:” a Pitbull/whippet cross named Kieran, Nykia, a Pitbull/Great Dane mix, and Fenris, a Siberian Husky.
Amanda, Nurse
Amanda joined our team in November of 2021. We're excited about her enthusiasm and passion for pets and their owners.
Amanda loves being outdoors and adventures with her family and dogs. At home she manages a little ranch with steers, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, ferrets, cats, and dogs. She is living her dream and loves doing what she does at home and at work. She hopes one day she can expand her little ranch with her own horses and maybe a donkey.
Miranda, Nurse
Miranda joined our team in May of 2022. We're thrilled that she's part of our team.
She graduated from UNM May 2018 with a bachelors degree in biology and graduated from CNM May 2022 with an associates degree in Veterinary Technology. She has three puppies named Jd a min Pin/Chihuahua mix, Bonnie a Pitbull, and Cabela a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd mix.
Her pride and joy are her two beautiful children, Aubrey and Gunner.
Emilio, Veterinary Technician
Emilio joined the team in 2018 and worked his way up from a kennel kid to a skilled technician. He has a well rounded skill set with experience in wildlife, large animals, small animals, exotics and surgery. He holds a B.S. in Zoology and a minor in Chemistry from WNMU and is excited for his next goal of attending veterinary school!
Emilio has 2 dogs, Dodger a shepherd mix and Chico, a chihuahua. He also has axanthic ball python, leopard gecko and several tarantulas.
Gabby, Veterinary Nurse Assistant
Gabby joined our team in Oct. of 2021. She graduated with “Honors” and earned a Certificate as a Veterinary Assistant from Pima Medical Institute in August of 2021. Her smile and positive attitude are a huge addition to the clinic.
A little fact about Gabby is that she is a parent to over 100 variety of birds that she and her grandmother care for, which includes but may not be limited to: cockatiels, geese, peacocks, ducks, lovebirds, chickens, guineas, and parakeets! In her spare time, she enjoys acrylic painting and listening to music. Gabby has a fur baby named Khaleesi, and “no, she hasn’t watched Game of Thrones!”
Emma, Pet Service Representative
Emma joined our team mid August 2023. She graduated high school in May of 2023 and is currently attending UNM pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Her happiness and positive attitude is a great asset to our team.
Emma has two cats, a 2 1/2 year old tuxedo named Rue, and a 6 month old blonde tabby named Memphis. In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, playing with her cats, hiking, and listening to music.
Francisco, Client Service Representative
Francisco joined our team in January of 2023. He comes to us with a strong customer service background that we know our clients will recognize immediately. His smile and genuine happiness fits right in with our team.
Francisco is the parent to 4 fur babies: Maze, Thunder, Panthro, and Kira. Three are domestic shorthair cats and all 3 are ferocious hunters of…. MICE! Kira is his German Shepperd baby. In his spare time, he enjoys video gaming, drawing and enjoying his sleep.
Marissa, Client Service Representative
Marissa joined the customer Service team in November 2023 and brings with her past veterinarian customer service experience. She’s excited to return to the workplace after a long period of being a stay-at-home mom, and her kids are super thrilled for her!
Marissa is happily married with three beautiful children and is an amateur baker. The passion she has for baking has become more than just a hobby. She loves bringing happiness to others through her baking, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a cake and that’s kinda the same thing.”
Her family has two pets, Susie who is a chihuahua and Goku who is a husky. They’ve had both since they were puppies. Marissa loves being with her family and friends, enjoys meeting new people, and is excited for the journey with Valencia Animal Clinic.
Ava, Pet Service Representative
Ava joined our team in March of 2024 and brings extra joy & happiness to our team. She is a Senior at Belen High School and will graduate in May of 2024. She has been accepted into 6 out 6 colleges and is in the process of traveling/touring each college.
Miss Ava is an active member and secretary of BHS’s FFA program. FFA has given her the opportunity to raise, train and sell Boer goats and care/show dairy cattle at the local county fair. In addition, she is an active member of student council, BHS Body President, and a member for BHS National Honor Society.
Ava’s fur baby is an 11-year-old poodle/yorkie mix and her name is Wednesday, named after Wednesday from the Adams’ family! She and her family have what she calls a, “funny farm” of horses, cows, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, turtles, birds, hedgehogs, geckos and fish! She enjoys working but also enjoys spending free time with her family.
Kaisa, Inventory Management
Kaisa joined the Valencia Animal Clinic staff in March of 2021. She has a tremendous love of animals and is excited to be a part of this team. Kaisa grew up in Albuquerque, graduating from Albuquerque Academy before studying at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She graduated with honors in 2001 with a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies.
She now lives in Mountainair with two kids, two cats, one dog, numerous horses, and even more cows.