Sofia Swatt

A compassionate and dedicated animal care professional with extensive experience as a veterinary assistant and a strong foundation in both natural and conventional medical approaches. In addition to operating a private naturopathic practice focused on holistic health and healing, she brings years of hands-on clinical experience in veterinary medicine and is seeking part-time work in animal care to continue supporting the wellbeing of animals alongside her human-focused practice.

Her veterinary background includes assisting in surgical procedures, administering medications, monitoring animal health, and providing compassionate support to pet owners—skills developed through both clinical training and real-world practice. Fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to integrative healing, she is eager to contribute her expertise, empathy, and bilingual communication skills to a team that values both high-quality animal care and a heart-centered approach to service.

Oakland Animal Services – Oakland, CA

Veterinary Assistant January 2022 – January 2023

• Provided critical hands-on support in medical procedures and emergency care alongside the on-site veterinarian in a high-volume, fast-paced municipal shelter serving stray, injured, and often aggressive or traumatized animals.
• Performed triage assessments, vital sign monitoring, and urgent stabilization measures for animals in distress, including cases involving trauma, suspected rabies, severe infections, and neglect-related injuries.
• Administered subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, vaccinations, oral medications, and topical treatments across a wide range of species under supervision, demonstrating clinical accuracy and calm under pressure.
• Collected and processed lab samples (fecal, urine, blood) for diagnostic testing while maintaining strict adherence to biohazard handling protocols in a resource-limited setting.
• Safely restrained and handled fearful, feral, or behaviorally unstable animals during exams, treatments, and transport, often using fear-free and trauma-informed techniques to reduce stress and ensure safety.
• Played a vital role in maintaining workflow efficiency and infection control in a chaotic and understaffed environment, supporting wound care, surgical prep and recovery, kennel cleaning, and client communication with empathy and professionalism.

Lawrence Hall of Science – Berkeley, CA

Animal Lab Assistant March 2020 – May 2023

• Provided daily husbandry, medical observation, and enrichment for over 50 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds in a teaching and research lab setting.
• Assisted with routine veterinary procedures, sample collection, and health assessments across exotic and domestic species, ensuring proper documentation and species-specific care protocols.
• Supported student instruction and hands-on learning, demonstrating safe animal handling techniques, anatomy, and proper care practices in an academic laboratory environment.

International Quantum University of Integrative Medicine, HI | B.S. Holistic Health Sciences 

        M.S. Natural Medicine

         Ph.D. Natural Medicine | Aug 2023 - June 2025

University of California, Berkeley | B.S. Environmental Science and Engineering Aug. 2019 - May 2023