Ramblings From The Ranch – November 2024

Dr. Luis: Ranch Veterinarian

“Rather than rush from one patient to another, I prefer to sit with an old friend, while checking their pets,” Dr. Luis Maciel Saldierna quoted a mentor who told him this when he was a new veterinarian.

Surely, the volunteers at The Ranch feel like Dr. Luis is an old friend. He has worked with The Ranch for at least ten years. Back then, Dr. Luis said, “The Ranch was small and didn’t have the organization it has now.” Now, Dr. Luis travels to the shelter about once a week. He treats any injured or sick dogs and also performs spay/neuter surgeries, dental cleanings, and other procedures. He works closely with Ranch volunteer Cheryl Okerlund, a retired nurse. “Working with Cheryl is great because she knows about medicine. She knows what equipment I need to bring, and she knows when dogs need treatment.” Cheryl and Dr. Luis communicate regularly by WhatsApp when she sends him photos and videos of the dogs and they discuss treatment plans.

Ranch management works with Dr. Luis on preventive medicine – schedules for vaccinations, flea treatments, and parasite medications. “It is great working with Ranch dogs because I know that staff will follow up with the needed treatments,” Dr. Luis stated. “They follow up and give me feedback so we can change things quickly if needed.” Dr. Luis also mentors the Ranch part-time staff, who generally have no medical or veterinary background. Ranch manager Syd Sullins said that this is critical so that staff understand when a dog needs medical treatment and the urgency of certain conditions.

“Dr. Luis is so receptive to ideas and very responsive. He knows I wouldn’t bother him if it wasn’t important,” Cheryl said. “He understands the shelter atmosphere and the constraints we have. Treating dogs here isn’t like treating a pet that lives in a home. It really helps us to have a vet who understands our limitations and can work around them. We so appreciate that he comes to the shelter! It is great he brings vet students with him sometimes, too. I think they learn a lot here.”

Dr. Luis has had his practice, Maskotas Lake in Ajijic, since 2012. He started the practice two years after becoming a veterinarian, after working in Guadalajara for a few years. “I grew up between the Lake and Guadalajara since I was a baby,” Dr. Luis told me. His grandmother lived at Lake Chapala and Dr. Luis spent many weekends and holidays Lakeside before moving here full-time when he started his local practice.

If you have ever had a pet treated by Dr. Luis, it will be no surprise to hear that he loves his job. “There are two parts to my job – the owners and the pets. If we have a happy pet, we have a happy owner. If we have a happy owner, we have a happy pet,” Dr. Luis commented. “I know that when the owners talk to me about their families and their lives, that they have trust in me. The most satisfying thing is completing a case, being a part of a pet’s life and part of their family.”

Syd Sullins said, “I’ve worked with a lot of vets here over the years and Dr. Luis is the total package. He has the kindest heart and is always there to help us. We have had some cases of horrific injuries and Dr. Luis has performed surgeries on the spot, saving the dogs’ lives. He has also been there to comfort me when I have been heartbroken by some difficult situations. He is a counselor and a veterinarian,” Syd joked. “We are so fortunate to have him as our vet. I so appreciate him making time for us, especially now that his practice is so busy.”

The Ranch sends a big thank you to Dr. Luis Maciel for all of his efforts on behalf of the shelter dogs.

Your donations help us pay for dogs’ medical treatment. Please help us by volunteering, fostering or donating today! You can find out more on our Facebook page or at www.theranchchapala.com. Or email us at adoptaranchdog@outlook.com.


For more information about Lake Chapala visit: chapala.com


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