Natalia Antonsanti-Santana, DVM, CVA

Associate Veterinarian

VCA Animal Hospitals · Norwalk, Connecticut, United States

Present

Small Animal Rotating Intern

Veterinary Extern/Assistant

Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center

- Provide veterinary care to new and resident patients of the conservation center. - Performed physical exams, blood draws, diagnostic imaging, administration of medications, surgical preparation and assistance, and anesthetic management. - Maintained and wrote medical records. - Accompany the resident veterinarian to specialized veterinary appointments. - Learned techniques for physical restraint on different animal species (aquatic birds, raptors, sea turtles, manatees, lizards, snakes, fish). - Participated in data collection for ongoing research. - Literature research, manuscript development, and editing for a pilot project. - Provided client education about the importance of veterinary medicine in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. - Performed necropsies of wild animals. - Calculated nutritional requirements and measured other husbandry necessities for the residents and patients of the CMCC.

Student Milker

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine · Ithaca, New York, United States

- Milk dairy cattle while ensuring cows remain calm and comfortable. - Assemble, sanitize, and monitor milking equipment and connections to the bulk tank. - Check and report dairy cattle for any physical signs of disease or injury. - Observe, record, and report to chiefs abnormal milk, udder, and teat injuries. - Review the pens, buildings, and other areas to ensure the areas remain safe for cattle and other workers. - Assist in calving, pregnancy checks, and overall herd maintenance. - Use tools efficiently to move feed, animals, and other equipment to the appropriate spaces on the farm. - Maintain the Teaching Dairy Barn hygiene by sanitizing and cleaning the facilities.

Aquavet 1 - Participant

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine · Rhode Island, United States

- Gained knowledge about aquatic veterinary medicine during this 4-week program designated to veterinary professionals (140.5 hours of lecture, 12 hours of seminars, and 46.5 hours of laboratory time). - Topics included invertebrate medicine to marine mammal medicine, pet and zoological approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and care, the economic role of oceans, the impact of aquaculture, and aquatic animal and resource conservation, among others. - Performed physical examinations and venipuncture on penguins, seals, and sea turtles, besides shadowing veterinarians who performed exams on animals like cetaceans and fish. - Performed a gonadectomy and splenectomy on a fish. Additionally, participated in the induction and management of the anesthesia protocols. - Presented a 30-minute seminar titled Nonmammalian/avian endothermic strategies in aquatic species. - Participated in laboratories and necropsies, including examining different aquatic species (invertebrates to marine mammals) and d…

Southside Healthy Pet Clinic Student Director

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine · Ithaca, New York, United States

- Provide low-cost veterinary care for members of the Ithaca community. - Student clinicians receive appointments and serve as primary clinicians with the supervision of on-site veterinarians. -Perform physical examinations, animal restraints, blood draws, and vaccinations. -Client education about pet preventative care.

Veterinary Assistant

Servicios Veterinarios 4 Patas · Bayamón, Puerto Rico

- Duties include animal restraint, collecting and analyzing lab samples, diagnostic imaging, administration of medications, surgical preparation and assistance, anesthesia management, among others. - Client communication and medical record-taking.

Veterinary Extern

ASPCA · North Carolina, United States

Veterinary Student Externship is a two-week (40 hours/week) unpaid learning opportunity, designed to deliver spay/neuter surgical instruction, and offer students a behind-the-scenes, hands-on look into the world of spay/neuter and shelter medicine. The program excels in its surgical instruction and practice, with seven out of the program’s ten days involving some amount of surgery.

Veterinary Extern

Mystic Aquarium · Mystic, Connecticut, United States

4-week externship under the guidance of ACVZM-boarded veterinarians, a specialty veterinary intern, and specialized veterinary technicians. Gained hands-on experience in aquatic animal medicine, working with a diverse range of species, including belugas, seals, sea lions, fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, reptiles, penguins, amphibians, sharks, and stingrays. Assisted aquatic veterinary specialists in the medical management of aquarium animals, as well as marine mammals and sea turtles within the Animal Rescue Program. Participated in necropsy evaluations, providing support in post-mortem examinations and analysis. Engaged in clinical case rounds, contributing to discussions and diagnostic decision-making. Conducted a research project on toxic plants for aquatic animals, presenting findings to veterinary staff. Gained practical experience in animal husbandry, health monitoring, and treatment planning for a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. Developed skills in multidiscip…

Veterinary Extern

Monterey Bay Aquarium

- 2-week externship under the guidance of ACVZM-boarded veterinarians and specialized veterinary technicians. - Assisted veterinary and animal care staff with daily clinical cases, diagnostic procedures, and surgical interventions for a range of species including sea otters, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates. - Participated in daily rounds, providing input on patient progress and treatment plans. - Engaged in necropsy procedures, assisting with post-mortem examinations and data collection. - Contributed to clinical pathology tasks, supporting diagnostic testing and result interpretation. - Gained hands-on experience in the care of diverse species, applying clinical knowledge in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment. - Prepared and presented a comprehensive case report and literature review on goiter in teleost and elasmobranchs.

Veterinary Assistant

Acupets PR · Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

- Assist in acupuncture treatments, administer laser therapy, and give alternative medicine treatments. - Additional duties include animal restraint, collecting and analyzing lab samples, diagnostic imaging, administration of medications, surgical preparation and assistance, and anesthetic management. - Client communication and medical record-taking.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

UNIVERSIDAD DE PUERTO RICO RECINTO DE CIENCIAS MEDICAS · Caribbean Primate Research Center