Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Ren Garcia.
Hi Dr Ren Garcia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a former firefighter and emergency medical technician, and I’m also a first-generation American born to Cuban parents. My path into veterinary medicine was a little unconventional, but it shaped the way I practice today—high-intensity problem solving, calm under pressure, and a deep respect for service.
I completed my veterinary training at Massey University in New Zealand, one of the top veterinary schools in the world, and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. I had some of the best experiences of my life traveling, training and living in New Zealand, before returning home to Los Angeles to begin my career in 2010.
My first position was at the Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego, where I developed a strong foundation in diagnostic imaging, abdominal ultrasound, and advanced imaging. That experience set the stage for my next step, building something of my own.
I started my first practice shortly after returning to LA, and in 2015 it was recognized with the Small Business Innovation Award by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Over time, I became known across Beverly Hills, Bel Air, the Westside, and Hollywood as one of the top concierge veterinarians in the city. Over the years, my clientele ranged from Old Hollywood icons like Priscilla Presley and Sidney Poitier to modern artists like Madonna and many others in between.
From there, I wanted to make a bigger impact that was more long-lasting. I expanded into building hospitals. I opened my first brick-and-mortar location in Sherman Oaks and eventually grew that into three hospitals. Most recently, I completed a four + year project developing one of the largest combined specialty and general-practice veterinary hospitals in the entire San Fernando Valley.
The vision behind this newest hospital was simple: create a space that elevates the standard of veterinary medicine while also prioritizing education and the well-being of the people who work there. We designed wide, open clinical areas; dedicated staff spaces; a professional teaching environment for students; and even our own on-site dog park where clients can wait comfortably with their pets. It’s a hospital built with purpose, built for longevity, and built for the future of our profession.
This space represents the next chapter of Green Dog—an environment where exceptional medicine, education, and community come together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the rapid changes that have infiltrated the veterinary space—especially the rise of corporate groups. We’ve remained a privately owned, family-style company, and I’m incredibly proud of that. To this day, every single person who joins our hospitals is still interviewed by the same small leadership team that started this organization. That consistency protects our culture, the way we care for patients, and the level of service we expect for our clients.
But staying independent also means we have to compete with groups that have enormous resources. Corporate hospitals have access to large-scale technology investments, advanced buildouts, and recruiting power. For us, the challenge is providing the same level of medical sophistication—just in a much more personalized, mom-and-pop style that keeps our identity intact. It forces us to be more creative, more intentional, and more hands-on in every area of the business.
The other major obstacle was the construction of our new state-of-the-art hospital. It was a four+ year project, and like any long buildout, it came with its own hurdles—permits, delays, design changes, and the constant pressure to get every detail right. But seeing the final result made every challenge worth it. The space is something we’re deeply proud of, and we’re excited to share it with the community in the Valley.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center is recognized as the leading veterinary dentistry practice in Los Angeles. For more than a decade, we’ve been dedicated to elevating oral health in pets and have treated over 100,000 dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Dentistry is one of the most essential—and most overlooked—components of veterinary medicine. We made it our mission to bring it to the forefront. By prioritizing oral health, we consistently see our patients living longer, happier, healthier, and pain-free lives. To us, dentistry isn’t an optional service; it’s the foundation of good medicine and long term health. Longevity.
From that foundation, we have expanded into a full multidisciplinary hospital offering cardiology, internal medicine, exotics, surgery, advanced imaging, and urgent care.
Today, we are proud to be one of the largest outpatient veterinary facilities in Los Angeles and the largest veterinary teaching hospital in the city, committed not only to helping our patients live longer, healthier and pain-free lives, but also to educating the next generation of veterinarians in these very important principles. We currently have over 200 students come through our doors each year to learn and train with us.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Our success is shared with our entire Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center family. From our remote CSR team who keeps us connected and organized, to our incredible assistants and technicians whose skill and compassion set the tone of our patient care, to our doctors who bring experience, dedication, and heart to every case. We also extend deep appreciation to our clients and the communities we serve. As a family-owned practice, we have grown because of your trust, loyalty, and support over the years. Green Dog is not just a hospital; it’s a community built by all of us together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greendogdental.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greendogdental
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenDogDental
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-dog-dental
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@greendogdentalveterinarycenter
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/green-dog-dental-and-veterinary-center-sherman-oaks and https://www.yelp.com/biz/green-dog-dental-and-veterinary-center-venice
- Other: https://g.page/r/Cf_fjJ0Q6GW7EAE
