Chiara Vantaggiato, DVM

Dr. Chiara Vantaggiato was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico in a multicultural family, where she became fluent in both Spanish and Italian.

Her passion for animals blossomed in her teenage years when she began volunteering at veterinary clinics. This early exposure led her to pursue a BSc in Biology at Syracuse University. Dr. Vantaggiato developed a profound fascination for big cats, particularly the issues surrounding their privatization and exploitation. This motivated her to intern at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL, where she learned about sanctuary operations and became an advocate for ending the privatization of big cats in the US.

After graduating in 2016, Dr. Vantaggiato pursued a research internship at Berkeley Lab in California where she participated in research that focused on microbial physiology and CO2 production. Eventually after some time in California and traveling, she moved back to Puerto Rico and enrolled in courses to prepare her for vet school while supporting herself as a Food Tour Guide in Old San Juan. This role honed her communication skills, adaptability, and ability to engage with diverse audiences.

In 2020, Dr. Vantaggiato enrolled at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and Nevis, an AVMA-accredited institution. She completed her clinical year at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where she fell in love with Colorado’s natural beauty.

Upon graduation, she took time off to reconnect with family and friends in Puerto Rico before moving back to the US to join the dedicated team at RMSAH. Here, she continues to grow as a veterinarian. Some of her areas of interest are clinical pathology/internal medicine (aka, analyzing diagnostics and solving puzzles), surgery, and fostering educational relationships with clients.

In her free time, Dr. Vantaggiato enjoys tending to her collection of plants, caring for her crazy orange tabby cat, hiking, cooking, traveling, and pursuing her newfound passion for climbing. Her goal for 2025 is to summit Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa! She is excited to provide veterinary services to Spanish and Italian-speaking clients, enriching her practice with her multicultural background.