Medical Director, Old Town Animal Hospital | Katy, TX
For Dr. Cecilia Chea, veterinary medicine has always felt less like a career choice and more like a calling.
From the time she was young, whenever someone asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer was always the same: veterinarian. Her passion for animals led her to volunteer at shelters and sanctuaries as a teenager, intern at the Audubon Zoo, and work as a veterinary technician at an exotics-only animal clinic.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Chea earned a master’s degree in Animal Behavior and Welfare before traveling overseas to attend the Royal Veterinary College of London. It was the next step in a path she had imagined for herself since childhood.
From New Graduate to Medical Director
Dr. Chea’s journey with Lakefield began in September 2015, before the organization was even known as Lakefield Veterinary Group. At the time, it was Best Friends Pet Hotel, and the team hired her before they had a permanent hospital placement for her.
“They brought me on as a new graduate before they even had a place for me, which says a lot about the trust they had in me from the very beginning,” she says.
Her first few months were spent at Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists, where she rotated through different specialties and gained valuable exposure to a wide range of cases. From there, she transitioned into general practice at a new hospital in Katy before eventually finding her long-term home at Old Town Animal Hospital.
Ten years later, Dr. Chea now serves as Medical Director at Old Town.
“I started here as a new graduate in a two-doctor practice, eager to learn, grow, and build my career,” she says. “Today, I have the privilege of serving as the Medical Director of a four-doctor practice.”
A Patient She’ll Never Forget
Over the years, Dr. Chea has formed countless connections with pets and their families, but one patient in particular has stayed with her.
Bella was a Labrador Retriever Dr. Chea had cared for since puppyhood. As Bella grew older, she developed a large mass on her abdomen that needed to be surgically removed.
During the first attempt, Bella experienced a serious adverse reaction to the anesthetic medications, forcing the team to stop the procedure. They were able to stabilize her, but surgery was put on hold.
At the time, Dr. Chea was nine months pregnant. When she returned from maternity leave three months later, Bella was one of her first patients.
“I was shocked by how much her mass had grown,” Dr. Chea recalls. “It had nearly quadrupled in size. It had become so large that Bella could barely walk.”
The choices were difficult – attempt surgery again or consider euthanasia. Together with Bella’s family, Dr. Chea decided to try once more.
The surgery lasted nearly three hours, and the mass weighed approximately 20 pounds. Despite the complexity of the procedure and Bella’s previous anesthetic complication, the team successfully removed enough of the mass to get Bella back on her feet, and Bella went on to live for another year.
Although she is no longer with them, Bella’s impact remains. Dr. Chea continues to care for the family’s pets and stays closely connected with them.
Growing Alongside Old Town
Dr. Chea is particularly proud that her own growth has happened alongside Old Town Animal Hospital.
Over the past decade, the hospital has grown from two doctors to four and continues to expand its capabilities. A recent remodel has added exam rooms as well as dedicated surgical and dental suites, creating more opportunities to care for patients and support the growing Katy community.
More than the physical growth, though, Dr. Chea values the reputation the hospital and its team have built.
“I am proud to be part of a clinic and team that is so well respected within our community,” she says. “Old Town has been such an important part of my professional journey, and I am grateful for the people, clients, and patients who have made the last 10 years so meaningful.”
Mentorship, Opportunity, and Giving Back
Throughout her career, Dr. Chea has worked alongside veterinarians with a wide range of experiences and perspectives, each contributing to her growth as both a clinician and a leader.
One mentor who stands out is Dr. Hicks, who helped guide her early career and encouraged her to pursue new opportunities within the organization.
Now, one of those opportunities is taking her far beyond Texas.
Dr. Chea was recently selected to join a World Vets team traveling to Cambodia to participate in large-scale spay, neuter, and vaccination campaigns. For her, the trip carries a deeply personal meaning.
Dr. Chea is a first-generation American, and her father came to the United States as a refugee from Cambodia.
“Being able to use the skills and knowledge I have gained throughout my veterinary career to give back to a place connected to my heritage is incredibly special,” she says. “It is more than just another professional experience – it is an opportunity to connect my personal story with the career I have dedicated my life to.”
The trip brings together two important parts of her story: where her family came from and the work she has spent her life pursuing.
A Legacy of Connection
When Dr. Chea thinks about what she hopes people remember about her career, she doesn’t focus first on titles, accomplishments, or even medicine – she thinks about relationships.
“Veterinary medicine is about so much more than diagnosing and treating disease,” she says. “It is about earning trust, showing compassion, and being there for families during both the happiest and most difficult moments of their lives.”
Her hope is that her legacy reflects compassion, integrity, and a commitment to high-quality medicine.
Most of all, she hopes the families and animals she has cared for over the years simply know one thing – she truly cared about them.
