Our Team

Growing up on our family farm, animals were always a significant part of my life.  I had the pleasure of studying at three wonderful schools during my collegiate career: Cochise College (Douglas, AZ), New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, NM), and finally earning my Dr. of veterinary medicine degree from Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) in 2008. So began my adventures in the exciting career of Veterinary Medicine.  Since then, I have partnered with a wide variety of people, in several veterinary clinics, for the care of their pets.  It has truly been a blessing and a privilege to play such a pivotal role in the lives of animals and the people who love them.  I look at every day as an opportunity to make a difference.

My main focus is on improving comfort levels, supporting wellness, and encouraging the healing of my patients.  My experience has made me well versed in traditional methods of care such as: surgery, dentistry, wellness exams, vaccinations and medical support; I have an interest in holistic treatments and supplements.  Implementing the use of the therapeutic laser is one way I have expanded alterative medical options here at Alta Sierra Veterinary Hospital.

Animal Chiropractic Education Source (ACES, in Meridian TX) has provided me with the education, in 2019 & 2020, to add the powerful tool of chiropractic to my list of care options to acquire the best possible quality of life and mobility for your furry family members.

When I’m not in the clinic, you may find me playing disc golf at the park, taking a hike with my boyfriend and our three dogs, or just digging around the yard enjoying the sun in this fresh mountain air.  Church is a huge part of my life, and I feel the helping hand of God in all the things that I do.  I enjoy trying new recipes and the occasional board game.

Now that you know a little about me, I look forward to getting to know you and your pets as we team up to make sure they have the best lives possible.

See you soon.

Dr Kathy Bratcher was born in Southern California and moved to Sahuarita, AZ with her family when she was in high school. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Animal Health Science then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The University of California, Davis in 1994. She has practiced mixed animal medicine throughout her career. She spent many summer vacations up in the white mountains as a teenager and has always wanted to live here. She worked at the Arizona Barn Racetrack and Yavapai Racetrack in Prescott, Arizona. She owned her own mobile equine practice in southern Arizona prior to moving up to the White Mountains in 2018. She loves to see horses whenever possible. She is active in Search and Rescue and spends her free time training her Search Dog “Luci”.

Dr. Melissa Ochoa was born in Phoenix and grew up in Las Vegas, NV. She had an interest in wildlife biology which led her to spending a year after high school working with wildlife in South Africa. While there, she was exposed to veterinary medicine and loved it. She attended the College of Southern Nevada’s Veterinary Technology Program then moved to Florida where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University. While completing her undergraduate studies, she worked as a licensed veterinary technician in general practice, emergency medicine, and zoo medicine. She also worked as a field biologist on the beaches of Florida, monitoring and collecting data on sea turtle nests. She eventually returned to the desert to attend veterinary school at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale. Her favorite part about veterinary medicine is the ability to work with all creatures, large and small. Her interests include internal medicine, avian, exotic and wildlife medicine, as well as equine and small ruminant medicine. On her free time, she enjoys gardening, birding, kayaking, and hiking with her husband, daughter, and Australian Shepherd, Oliver.  Dr. Ochoa is very excited to be a part of the White Mountains community and looks forward to seeing all of your furred, feathered, scaly and hooved pets.