Two Veterinarians' Incredible Journey to Beat the Odds and Transform Animal Care in El Paso

El Paso County, recognizing the need for more veterinarians in the area, has initiated the Foreign Veterinarian Pathway Program to assist foreign veterinarians. This program aims to address El Paso's critical shortage of veterinary professionals. As the first participants, Dr. Gustavo Willis and Dr. Brian Garcia, who earned their veterinary degrees in Juárez, Mexico — at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez — but are not certified to practice in the United States. are benefiting from the county's support in covering certification costs.

The American Veterinary Medical Association requires foreign veterinarians to undergo a rigorous process for U.S. certification. This includes proving their veterinary school graduation, mastering English, and passing both a comprehensive written exam and a practical clinical veterinary test. The process can be lengthy and expensive, costing up to $16,000 and taking over two years.

Willis, with 36 years of experience in Juárez, expressed frustration about the emphasis on paperwork over practical skills. Upon completion of the program, participants agree to a three-year work contract in the county. Garcia, a recent graduate as of December 2023, appreciates the program's support and educational benefits.

Lauralei Combs, director of the El Paso County Animal Welfare Department, noted the difficulty of the certification process, especially in a region spanning three states and two countries. Since her appointment in April 2020, she has observed El Paso's significant animal overpopulation and the consistent need for more veterinarians.

Willis and Garcia are currently working as veterinary residents at the West Texas Cimarron Canyon Veterinary Clinic in Northwest El Paso. Their distinct career stages and skill sets complement each other, with Willis bringing business acumen and Garcia offering recent academic knowledge.

Having moved to El Paso to avoid the violence in Juárez, Willis's primary challenge is mastering English, a task he's tackling through self-study methods like YouTube and practice with coworkers. Garcia, born in El Paso and raised in Juárez, faces the North American Veterinary Licensing exam and a three-day Clinical Practice Proficiency exam in Las Vegas.

Both are committed to serving El Paso County upon certification, with Garcia particularly keen on working with a range of animal species and contributing to the community that shaped him.