Dr. Renee Alsarraf
I absolutely love being a medical oncologist. Working to help animals feel better is my passion. The wag of a tail or a sloppy wet kiss of appreciation brings me joy. But what truly inspires me is to assist families in having one more summer or another year with their four-legged friend.
I have made it my purpose to help animals and their families navigate the c-word. I have listened to so many people tell stories about why their pet is truly special. To be able to sit next to a person, to hold their fear and worry and turn that into understanding and hope, is the most important part of my job. I am grateful for this glimpse into their world, into their struggle. My hope is that this book will reach a wide audience to help with life and living.
Since the age of seven, Dr. Alsarraf has wanted to be a veterinarian. As a young child, she was forever drawn to animals. Though most of her family members were physicians or nurses, Renee was determined to care for our four-legged friends. Even before attending veterinary school, Renee worked at a veterinary clinic, took riding lessons, competed in obedience trials with her boxer, Drummer, and helped special needs children ride horseback.
While at veterinary school at Michigan State University, Renee realized that many pet parents would struggle with the grief of losing their pet. This inspired her to create Michigan State University’s Pet Loss Support Group. Led by a therapist specializing in bereavement counseling, each month sorrowful pet parents would come to better understand the grief process, to work through their feelings, and to be heard in a supportive community.
After veterinary school, Dr. Alsarraf completed an internship and a medical oncology residency in NYC at The Animal Medical Center (AMC) in 1994. She received further radiation therapy training at AMC and worked in a tissue culture lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Since becoming board certified in medical oncology, Dr. Alsarraf has created medical oncology services in Kansas City and in New Jersey.
Click image for cover story
Currently, Dr. Alsarraf is a consultant for a national radiation therapy company, PetCure Oncology. She has authored book chapters, published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has spoken on the national as well as the local level. As a distinguished alumnus, Dr. Alsarraf also reviews student admission applications for Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Alsarraf lives in Montclair, New Jersey and is married to a veterinary ophthalmologist. They have one son whom she cherishes, as well as Dusty, her beloved, bossy six-year-old female Boxer. In her free time, Dr. Alsarraf likes to search for antiques, garden, cook and listen to her son play piano.
Click the images to watch a series of interviews between Renee and Michael 'DrT' Tokiwa - The Collaborative Vet
