Our Doctor
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.
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:” Nykia, a Pitbull/Great Dane mix and Fenris & Vegas, both Siberian Huskies.
Amanda, Nurse
Amanda joined our team in November of 2021. She always presents 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. She always adds a spark of professionalism and is passionate about her position in veterinary medicine.
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 3 dogs named Rubble, Dottie, and Cabela all a Great Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd mix.
Her pride and joy are her two beautiful children, Aubrey and Gunner.
Wendy, Nurse Assistant
Prior to joining VAC, Wendy was a Registered Behavior Technician and worked closely with children diagnosed with autism. She brings extra hands of compassion to our team.
Wendy graduated from Pima in October of 2023 as a Veterinary Assistant in veterinary medicine. She has had a passion for animals for many years. After losing her rodeo horse suddenly and unexpectedly, she decided then that veterinary medicine was her future. Her 5-year goal is to attend vet school and eventually become a veterinarian.
Our very own Wendy was Albuquerque’s, “Rodeo Queen” from 2021 – 2022. This experience gave her unique challenges and built her confidence, along with teaching her skills in organizing, teaching children and teaching people in general. She is pet parent to 6 horses, 6 dogs, 2 ducks, lots of chickens -n- turkeys, peacocks, donkeys, goats, and sheep…she, " thinks that’s all!”
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 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.
Audrie, Pet Service Representative
Audrie joined our team in August of 2024. She is currently a senior at Belen High School and plans on attending nursing school after graduation. She super excited to be able to work with animals on a daily basis. Audrie brings an extra smile to our team. She's joyful, happy and grateful for the position that will offer great work experience, that she will need for the rest of her career!
She's the proud owner of three dogs: Diesel, Jace and Missy. Her critters are definitely part of the family!
Ava, Pet Service Representative (Seasonal/Summer School Breaks)
Ava started working at the clinic in March of 2024 and plans to work during school & summer breaks. She was initially hired to work on a specific database project alongside our Practice Manager, but finished in record time. So, she moved on to mastering many veterinary technical skills and up front customer service tasks! Her smile and attitude lit up our working environment and our patients and their owners enjoyed her presence.
Miss Ava started her first year of college at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona (Aug. 2024). Go Louie the Lumberjack!
Dalli, Pet Service Representative (Seasonal/Summer School Breaks)
Dalli started working at the clinic in July of 2024. We're thrilled that she'll be working during school & summer breaks at the clinic. Dalli attends New Mexico State University. She is studying biochemistry with plans to attend medical school for anesthesiology. At NMSU, she's on the rodeo team and completes in breakaway roping and loves it!
She and her family have 9 horses. Her horse is named, "Iceman" like from Top Gun!
Go Pistol Pete!
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.