Our commitment: state-of-the-art medicine with utmost compassion
Northwest Animal Clinic & Hospital has served Albuquerque for over 52 years. We treat every patient — from companion cats and dogs to birds and reptiles — as if they were a part of our own family.
52 Years of AAHA Accreditation
Veterinary hospitals are not legally required to be accredited. We choose to submit our clinic to rigorous voluntary inspections by the American Animal Hospital Association because we believe your pets deserve the safest, most modern medical care possible.
Rigorous 900+ Standard Protocol
Evaluated across patient care, surgery, pain management, pharmacy, lab diagnostics, and sterile facilities.
Top 12–15% Nationwide
Only a small fraction of North American animal hospitals qualify for and maintain voluntary AAHA accreditation.
52-Year Tradition (1974–Today)
Decades of continuous commitment to medical excellence for generations of Albuquerque pet families.
Fear-Free & Gentle Handling
Thoughtful exam pacing, calming techniques, and feline/exotic-friendly spaces designed to reduce stress.
Meet Our Veterinarians
Passionate, experienced clinicians dedicated to lifelong care for your pets.
At Northwest Animal Clinic since 2005 • Proud Owner since 2022
Dr. Elizabeth Falk, DVM
Practice Owner & Veterinarian
Dr. Elizabeth Falk has been practicing at Northwest Animal Clinic and Hospital in Albuquerque since 2005, and became its proud owner in 2022.
Dr. Falk has a special passion for feline medicine and preventive wellness. She believes strongly in empowering pet owners through transparent communication, taking time to explore every diagnostic and treatment avenue to create individualized care plans for each family.
Key Areas of Focus:
Born & Raised in Albuquerque • CSU DVM 2020
Dr. Samantha Lopez (Shirley), DVM
Veterinarian & Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Dr. Samantha Lopez earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of New Mexico in 2015, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2020. She has been caring for New Mexico pets ever since.
Born and raised right here in Albuquerque, Dr. Lopez is deeply invested in the health of her home community. She blends conventional Western medicine with Veterinary Medical Acupuncture, focusing on chronic pain management, senior mobility, and nurturing the human-animal bond.
At home, she enjoys family life with her husband Cruz, their son Rafael, their dog Gus, and their cat Cassie.
Key Areas of Focus:
Tufts DVM • Columbia PhD • UF Zoological Medicine Residency
Dr. Christine Fiorello, DVM, PhD, DACZM
Veterinarian & Board-Certified Specialist in Zoological Medicine
Dr. Christine Fiorello grew up in New York and graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Following a small animal internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, she earned a PhD in disease ecology from Columbia University studying domestic and wild carnivores in Bolivia.
She completed a rigorous Wildlife & Zoological Medicine residency at the University of Florida to achieve board certification (DACZM). Her career spans universities, oiled wildlife rescue, wildlife rehab, field research across the Americas, and zoo care.
Her medical interests include exotic pet medicine, complex internal medicine, and anesthesia. Outside clinic hours she loves cycling, reading, river otters, conservation, and dark chocolate. Four cats — Tuppence, Calliope, Penelope, and Tumbleweed — graciously allow Dr. Fiorello, her husband, and their son to share their North Valley home.
Key Areas of Focus:
"At Northwest Animal Clinic & Hospital we are committed to providing your pet state of the art, quality veterinary medicine with the utmost integrity and compassion. Our patients and clients will always be treated as if they are a part of our own family."
Patients Are Seen By Appointment
We dedicate focused, unhurried time to every pet. To accommodate as many pets as possible in northwest Albuquerque, please note our clinic hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
24-Hour Notice Cancellation Policy:
Due to high demand for appointment slots, cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are subject to a fee applied at the next visit. Email and text reminders are sent in advance. Thank you for helping another animal receive care!