Dr. West is a native of the Pacific Northwest and started working in the veterinary field at age 16 as a kennel cleaner. After getting Bachelor and Masters degrees in science from Oregon State University, she attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1994.

After graduation she worked for more than 20 years in general small animal practice, helping dogs, cats, reptiles, birds and all manner of pocket pets. She has a special love for geriatric pets and feeling she could do more for them led to her getting certified in Veterinary Rehabilitation Medicine. Since 2016, Dr. West has been helping dogs with mobility issues and improving the quality of life for families and their pets. When not teaching dogs and their owners new tricks, Dr. West enjoys traveling the world and experiencing other cultures. After years of varied menageries of pets – from snakes to dogs to mice – she is currently content to share her home with a single elderly cat named George.