Veterinarian
Greetings, Flagstaff community. I am Dr. Molly Lesser.
My journey to Aspen Veterinary Clinic began with an undergraduate education that allowed me to explore various interests, ultimately leading me to veterinary school. At the University of Montana Western, my areas of focus were equine studies and natural horsemanship, which I studied while fulfilling my scholarship on the college rodeo team. After completing my associates, I returned to my home state of California, where I completed my bachelor of science in Cellular Molecular Biology and minoring in Chemistry at Humboldt State University. After a decade of higher education, I graduated summa cum laude from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation, I completed a year-long surgery and medicine internship at Mckinley & Peters Equine Hospital in Newman Lake, Washington. That experience afforded me more opportunities and exposure to the field of veterinary medicine than I knew possible, and I left feeling well-equipped to enter private/clinical practice.
From there, I moved to Reno, Nevada, where I accepted a position at Comstock Equine Hospital. As the only large animal referral center in Northern Nevada, I had the opportunity to see and treat many patients while working alongside renowned surgeons, internists, and specialists in their respective fields.
Seeking a change, I joined the Aspen Veterinary Clinic team in the Spring of 2022 and established myself in Flagstaff, a town I had long endeared. Under the mentorship of Dr. Saul and alongside the other associates comprising the practice, I’ve had the chance to meet and treat many of the four-legged friends of Northern Arizona.
My Path to Veterinary Medicine
From a young age, growing up in Half Moon Bay, California, I gravitated towards animal care. I grew up with my own animals, first befriending a cat named Chubby and eventually, throughout my childhood, dogs, horses, chickens, fish, and goats. While still in the single digits of childhood I opened up a “veterinary practice”, and would perform “surgery” on injured stuffed animals and would give “IVs” to my dogs' destroyed squeaky toys. Around that time, I began a neighborhood dog walking and pet-sitting business, which laid an early foundation for pursuing a life devoted to animal care. Growing up and becoming a veterinarian felt only natural!
Much of my childhood was spent surrounded by horses, aging up through the junior, high school, and eventually college rodeo circuit. I competed in breakaway and team roping, finding the comradery of the equine partnership to be fulfilling in an unparalleled sense. Throughout that time, I also trained horses, gave riding lessons, and worked as a pony camp counselor. Undoubtedly, and like many eventual veterinarians, I spent more time surrounded by animals than by people. To this day, I still find the connection between humans and animals to be a sacred bond, and bring this belief with me into the way I practice medicine.
What I Love About My Job
Veterinary Medicine is a multifaceted industry and invariably demands acknowledgment of multiple different facets to best serve each and every patient. There’s, of course, the medical component to each condition, but additionally, emotional and practical considerations to consider when deciding upon the best course of action for every individual pet and their families. Coming up with individualized plans that best serve each patient and their people requires problem solving of different dimensions, which I find to be simultaneously challenging and satisfying. Whether this involves managing a dog’s storm phobia, discussing options for treating a cancer diagnosis, or coming up with a preventative care plan for a new puppy, I take it upon myself to advocate for each patient and serve the humans who care for them.
Hobbies and Interests Outside of Work
Outside of the clinic, I spend my time training for triathlons. I race with an international team, competing in half iron and full ironman distance events worldwide. Exploring Northern Arizona by foot and by bike has been a way of “filling my cup” through the repetitive physical exercise that endurance training entails.
Though perhaps not my natural born strength, I also enjoy trying to keep my houseplants alive when I need a break from physical and mental exertion.
I’d also consider myself to be somewhat of a foodie, and am steadily sampling my way through the cuisine options around Flagstaff!