Betty Espinoza

Betty Espinoza Ramirez was born and raised in Salinas. With deep family roots in Michoacán, Mexico, she is fluent in both English and Spanish. Betty admires and cherishes her family: Her mom worked tirelessly to provide for the two daughters she raised on her own, and her older sister is Betty’s biggest role model. Betty believes that the challenges she faced growing up shaped who she is today and the way she carries herself.

By attending Monterey Peninsula College, Betty is pursuing her dream of working with animals. Her aspiration is to become a veterinarian specializing in anesthesia. She has always had a soft spot for animals. She says that she feels compelled to care for and help as many animals as she possibly can because they cannot clearly communicate their thoughts and feelings with us when they are in distress.

Excited to have joined the Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics team because it is her first opportunity to work around horses, Betty is actively researching and becoming better educated about equine terminology and health care, in order to better understand and support the needs of patients, clients, and caregivers. While she does not currently own a horse of her own, Betty says that if she had the opportunity, she would absolutely love to own a Dutch Draft whom she would name Tadeo. She enjoys every chance she gets to visit with the horses owned by her friends and relatives in Mexico, reporting that it brings her peace to care for them and simply spend time with them.

Although she says that her favorite animals are snakes, Betty shares her home with three much-loved pups: Lulu, a terrier Chihuahua mix she describes as “the meanest three pounds you’ll ever meet;” Chachis, a purebred Chihuahua, who is a shy, calm, sweetheart; and Layla, a very energetic Yorkie who loves to tear the squeakers out of her toys. When not working, Betty enjoys taking day trips with her fur babies, becoming one with the landscapes she paints, spending time with her family, and living life to the fullest.