Dr. Rachel Apolinario-Mejia was raised in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BS in Marine Biology and later earned her DVM from Colorado State University. She became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through CuraCore shortly after graduating. She has special interests in access to care and integrative medicine.
She believes integrative medicine is an integral part of offering a spectrum of care, especially for patients with pain or chronic illnesses. She designs patient-specific acupuncture protocols that are scientifically based and evidence-informed, always prioritizing the human–animal bond and overall quality of life. She is committed to continuing her education in holistic and alternative veterinary modalities.
She loves spending time with her two cats, Yves and Bruce, and admiring her crested gecko, Goose. In her free time, she likes playing video games with her family and finding new dessert/boba places. She's excited to join the Crystal Springs community and be close to the ocean again!