Vlessyn Diaz

Dr. Vlessyn Diaz received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2016. After graduating, Dr. Diaz worked as a physical therapist aide at a sport rehab outpatient clinic in Santa Monica before she continued her education at Columbia University to become a physical therapist. She graduated in 2021 and worked as a physical therapist in an outpatient, private practice focusing on women’s health and incorporating Pilates rehabilitation. After a year working in an orthopedic outpatient setting, she decided to pursue her dream to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) in 2022. She completed the training in 2023 and joined the BARC team.

Dr. Diaz’s passion for canine rehabilitation began at UCSC when she was deciding whether she wanted to pursue Veterinarian School. During her time in undergraduate school, she volunteered at Ride On- Therapeutic Horsemanship and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center which sparked her love for all animals and rehabilitation. After talking to her guidance counselor, she was introduced to Canine Rehabilitation and decided she wanted to pursue her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy to one day work with rehabilitating animals.

In her free time, Dr. Diaz enjoys reading, horseback riding, hiking, Pilates and spending her time with her fiancé and Aussiedoodle, Winnie.