To Make An Appointment
Call Us: 956-428-4002
Arroyo Veterinary Hospital Staff
Dr. Shelly Mitchell
Owner / Veterinarian
One of Shelly’s father’s friends was a veterinarian, and she would often get dropped off at his clinic on Saturdays. She had a seat next to the cattle squeeze chute where she would watch the vets work on cattle all day. These early experiences with animal care inspired her to become a veterinarian herself!
Dr. Mitchell was born in Dallas, but moved to Harlingen as a young girl. She was active in the Future Farmers of America, showing cattle and lambs all over Texas. She found herself at Texas A&M University and received her DVM degree in 2004. She moved back to the Valley and practiced in a mixed animal clinic in Mission for 11 years. In 2015, she decided to go out on her own and purchased Arroyo Veterinary Hospital.
Shelly and her husband Clay live in Harlingen with their two daughters, four dogs, two horses, a small herd of Simmental cattle, a herd of Southdown lambs, a few show goats and pot-bellied pig named "Porkchop". In her free time, Dr. Mitchell helps with several local livestock shows, is on the Harlingen CISD Veterinary Advisory Board, City of Harlingen Animal Advisory Board, Algodon Board of Directors, Harlingen South FFA Booster Club President and runs a yearly veterinary continuing education conference on South Padre Island. She’s also an avid college football fan and loves to cheer on the Texas Aggies.
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Our Veterinarians....
Joseph Reza
Veterinary Technician
Joseph has been a technician at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital for 11 years. When at work, he takes pride in helping animals in emergency situations and seeing them go home to their families. He is a native of Harlingen and attended UTPA and STC where he studied Occupational Therapy. In his spare time, he loves to watch movies, play video games and spend time with his daugther. His family also consists of two dogs named Yoda and Brandon plus a cat named Mr. Schneebly.
Katherine Wallen
Veterinary Technician
Katherine has been living in the Valley since 2015 and has been a vital member of Arroyo Vet since 2017. She has obtained her Certified Veterinary Assistant license level 1 and is currently working toward level 2 certification. She enjoys hanging out with her husband and daughter and their two dogs, Willie and Emma, and a rabbit.
Abigail Cruz
Receptionist
Abigail was born and raised here in Harlingen. Abby as we like to call her, has a dog named Baretta, a small herd of cattle and a few chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her 4 kids and shuttling them around to all their events. She says when you enjoy your job as much as she does work is fun.
Kim Warunek
Veterinary Technician
Kim comes to us having worked as a veterinary technician for over 18 years. She has worked in both small animal general practice and emergency medicine. She is enjoying expanding her knowledge of large animals here at Arroyo Vet. Kim has horses, dogs, parrots and a few pocket pets. When she can break free from the clinic, Kim enjoys working with her horses and spending time with her grandchildren.
Valerie Rodriguez
Veterinary Technician
Valerie started working at Arroyo Vet in 2019. She started her animal career at the Humane Society. Since coming to Arroyo Vet, she has earned her Vet Assistant Certification Level 1 and has become very passionate about client/patient education so that pets stay happy and healthy.
Meet our support staff.....
Renae Lopez
Receptionist
Renae is a local graduating from Harlingen High School South. She began working in the veterinary field two years ago joining Arroyo Vet just 6 months ago. Renae's trusty companions include a Basset Hound and Saint Bernard named Belle and Apollo. In her free time, she enjoys just hanging out and relaxing and if lucky traveling to new places and meeting new people.
Ava Guerra
Kennel Technician
Ava hails from San Benito. In high school, she was a member of the San Benito FFA raising multiple lambs. This is were her love of animals blossomed. Ava currently has two dogs
Cisco Ramirez
Kennel Technician
Dr. Itzel Rios
Veterinarian
Dr. Rios joined Arroyo Vet Hosptial in 2023. She is originally from Rio Grande City and has been practicing veterinary medicine for 3 years. She enjoys all aspects of mixed animal practice.
