Melissa Ortiz, LVT is a Licensed Veterinary Technician from Queens, New York, and a graduate of LaGuardia Community College. With over 20 years in the field, she has devoted most of her career to exotic animal medicine, working with both companion animals and zoological species. Melissa’s professional interests include multimodal pain management and the creation of behavior and wellness programs across species.
She is an active lecturer and mentor, having presented for Social Workers Advancing the Human-Animal Bond, the NYS Vet Tech Association, the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians, the American Association of Zoo Keepers Regional Symposium, and Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also mentors veterinary technician externs and is a site supervisor for 3 different vet tech programs at her practice. She also serves on the board for the Animal Health Technology Program at George Washington Carver High School for the Sciences. Recognized with the Vet Tech of the Year and Aspiring Leader awards from NYSVTA, Melissa is now the Practice Manager at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine in Manhattan.