Utah Veterinary Hospital is owned and operated by Dr. Samuel Rivera. Dr. Rivera was born in Durango, México, and grew up in beautiful Southern California. He attended the University of California, Davis, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, with an emphasis in Captive and Companion Animals in 2004. He went on to veterinary school at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2009. Dr. Rivera has a well-rounded résumé with over 10 years of experience in corporate hospitals, private hospitals, high- and low-cost clinics, animal shelter medicine, relief veterinary care, and private ownership. Now, he has chosen to settle down to provide the best quality veterinary medicine at Utah Veterinary Hospital, in American Fork, UT. Dr. Samuel Rivera is married to his wife, Elizabeth J., and is father to Samuel James, Sadie Jayne (pictured below), and Sawyer Jack, has his own companion dog, Sally, as well as a Koi Pond at home. He enjoys veterinary medicine, wellness and preventative medicine, and veterinary surgery, with a very recent interest in orthopedic surgery. His hobbies include exercise, fishing, snowboarding, other sports, and spending time with his family. He is also a big LAKERS fan!
Dr. Samuel Rivera has additional specialty training in the following areas: Proper Dental Prophylaxis and Surgical Dental Extractions (2008, 2010); Ophthalmology Corrective Surgical Procedures (2010); General Soft Tissue and Respiratory Corrective Surgery (2010, 2011); Canine & Feline Endrocrine Diseases (2013-2014, 2019); Fracture Repair in Toy Breed Dogs & Cats (2018); Principles of Fracture Repair (2019); SOP for Fracture Repair, MMP Progression of TTA Procedure for Canine Cruciate Repair, and RidgeStop Patellar Luxation Repair Technique (2019).
Veterinary Technician – STEPHANIE RICH (Bachelor of Science – Animal and Vet Sciece, BYU-Idaho, 2015)
Veterinary Assistant – SARAH CHASE (Animal Assistant Certification, Animal Behavior College, April, 2019; Bachelor of Science -Sociology, BYU, 2014)
Veterinary Technician, Office Manager – DAKOTA J. HUNTER
Dakota is too busy with her husband, her cute baby Cooper, and her 3 dogs to submit a bio. This will have to do for now.
Receptionist – CASSANDRA SMITH (Certified Interior Designer, 2000)
Veterinary Technician – TAYLOR MILNER (Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology, Broadview University, 2011)
